Marvel Rivals vs Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine II

Both deliver action, but one is a live-service PvP brawler while the other is a co-op power fantasy with a clear endpoint.

Updated 25d ago

Marvel Rivals cover
Marvel Rivals 7.8/10 Fair

For fans of Overwatch 2 hungry for team-up synergies and free-form 6v6, Rivals stabilized at 100k peak after an 82% drop from launch.

Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine II cover
Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine II 8.1/10 Strong

Saves the 40K video game catalog — Space Marine 2's chunky bolter-and-chainsword co-op keeps 8-12k peak players active in 2026 with strong PvE Operations.

By the numbers

Prices checked Sep 9; they move faster than we refresh, so confirm on the store page.

Recent-review figures are Steam's own last-30-days window, read Sep 9.

Measure Marvel Rivals Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine II
Value Marvel Rivals wins on value
Price now $0.00 Steam $14.99 −75% · GamesPlanet US
All-time low $0.00 $14.95
Cost / hour $0.00/hr $0.00 · 18 h main story $1.59/hr $14.99 · 9 h main story
Off its low At its low low was Sep 2026
Main story 18 h 9 h
Health Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine II wins on player health
Steam reviews 76% 415k reviews 84% 225k reviews
Recent reviews 66% 8k votes · vs 76% lifetime · souring 81% 3k votes · vs 84% lifetime
Peak players 144,922 Aug 2026 · ↓ 26% MoM 25,166 Aug 2026 · ↑ 1% MoM
Launch peak 35% of Dec 2024 launch peak · as of Aug 2026 14% of Sep 2024 launch peak · as of Aug 2026
All-time peak 642,333 Jan 2025 186,199 Sep 2024
Support
Last patch 5 days ago 3 weeks ago
Patch cadence 16+ in last 90 days, at minimum 4 in last 90 days
Steam Deck Gold Gold

Shared scale — same months across the bottom, same player-count axis up the side, so the two lines are directly comparable. A shorter line means a younger game.

Marvel Rivals
Dec 2024 – Aug 2026
Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine II
Sep 2024 – Aug 2026

What players say

Patterns from long-haul reviewers, taken from each game's verdict. Not live sentiment — each side is dated below.

Marvel Rivals

Struggle with

The matchmaking system's forced 50% win rate and absence of role queue create landslide games and 6 DPS teams in ranked, frustrating long-time players.

from our May 2026 verdict

Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine II

Love

The horde combat and class-based PvE operations offer deep customization and cinematic action that long-haul players find addictive.

Struggle with

Excessive loading screens and overpriced DLC are consistent frustrations that even dedicated players call out.

from our May 2026 verdict

Key differences

Game structure
Marvel Rivals is a free-to-play live-service PvP shooter with a rotating meta and 16 patches in 90 days.
Space Marine II offers a 9-hour campaign plus co-op Operations, with only 4 patches in 90 days.
Cost per hour
Rivals is free, costing under $1 per hour if you play its 18-hour main content.
Space Marine II runs $1-2 per hour for its shorter 9-hour main story.
Player retention
Rivals holds 47% of its launch peak but saw an 82% drop from launch.
Space Marine II retains only 13% of its launch peak, yet keeps 8-12k active in 2026.

Which one is for you?

Pick Marvel Rivals if

  • You want a free-to-play PvP shooter with no role lock
  • You enjoy hero pair synergies and frequent balance patches
  • You play with a large group and like destructible maps

Pick Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine II if

  • You prefer a tight co-op campaign you can finish in a weekend
  • You are a Warhammer 40K fan wanting reverent universe detail
  • You like grindable PvE Operations over competitive multiplayer

Bottom line

Pick Marvel Rivals for free 6v6 chaos and constant updates if you like live-service grinding; pick Space Marine II for a solid 9-hour co-op experience with a one-time cost.

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