Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine II
An action game where you chain bolter fire and chainsword combos through Tyranid hordes in co-op Operations.
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.
For you if
- You loved Vermintide 2 / Darktide and want third-person Tyranid horde combat
- You play 3-player co-op with friends and want grindable Operations runs
- You're a Warhammer 40K fan — the universe representation is detailed and reverent
Not for you if
- You want a long campaign — main story is 8-12 hours including co-op
- You demand active Eternal War PvP queues — population skews PvE-heavy in 2026
- You hate live-service-shaped progression — Year 2 roadmap leans on patch-driven content
The horde combat and class-based PvE operations offer deep customization and cinematic action that long-haul players find addictive.
Excessive loading screens and overpriced DLC are consistent frustrations that even dedicated players call out.
Media
What critics say
- 8/10IGN
Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 may not break the third-person shooter mold, but it looks amazing.
- 8/10GameSpot
Space Marine 2 is a fantastic sequel that builds on its predecessor in every way, bombarding you with overwhelming enemy and chaotic action.
- 4/5Eurogamer
Space Marine 2's campaign is a spectacular and mostly thrilling follow-up to the original.
Before You Play
Refreshed monthlyWhat are the best classes for Operations PvE in Space Marine 2?
Tactical is the consensus best PvE class — versatile arsenal (primary, secondary, melee), and Auspex Scan makes invisible elites vulnerable. Bulwark brings the Chapter Banner to buff teammates and tanks well. Vanguard's grappling hook closes onto priority targets fast. The six classes total are Tactical (generalist), Assault (Jump Pack melee), Vanguard (grapple), Bulwark (shield tank), Sniper (invisibility), Heavy (heavy weapons). Run mixed compositions — three Tacticals leaves you weak to elites.
Source: GamesRadar: All SM2 classes
What are the Eternal War PvP modes in Space Marine 2?
Eternal War is the 6v6 PvP mode pitting Adeptus Astartes vs Heretic Astartes. Three modes: Annihilation (TDM, first to 50 kills), Seize Ground (capture 3 zones — Alpha/Beta/Delta — for ticking score), Capture & Control (single Control Point that moves every 90 seconds). Three maps as of Season 1: Cathedrum, Mausoleum, Bastion. All six classes available in PvP. Flanking and map knowledge dominate strategy.
Source: Game8: Eternal War PVP Guide
How long does it take to beat Space Marine 2?
Main campaign takes 10-12 hours solo or 8-10 hours rushed. Co-op campaign (unlocked after Rain of Terror tutorial) usually clocks in faster. Operations PvE mode adds 6 missions, each 30-60 minutes — full Operations clear ~2-3 hours. 100% completion (every dataslate, every collectible, every difficulty tier) lands at 15 hours+. Ongoing patches keep adding new missions, so total content keeps growing through 2025-2026.
Source: PCGamesN: SM2 length
What content is coming to Space Marine 2 in Year 2 (2025-2026)?
Year 2 (Sep 2025-Sep 2026) ships 6 free patches with new content. Patch 10 (Anniversary, Sep 4 2025) added 3 weapons, a PvE mission, new Stratagems, and a Helbrute-playable PvP mode. Patch 11 (Q4 2025) adds another PvE mission. The Techmarine class (tank-repairing chapter specialist) ships in early 2026 with new weapons. The Battle-Barge expansion (progression update + siege map + new PvP arenas) lands later in 2026. Nine chapter-themed cosmetic DLCs are paid via the season pass.
Is Space Marine 2 still active in 2026?
Yes, Space Marine 2 is still active in 2026 but well below launch. Steam concurrent peaks hover around 8-12k daily players in May 2026, down 96% from the September 2024 launch peak of 225,690. Approximately 186,199 monthly active users on Steam. PvE Operations queues fill quickly; Eternal War PvP wait times have lengthened. Console (PS5/Xbox Series) playerbase isn't reflected in those numbers, so global active is somewhat higher.
Source: Steam Charts: SM2
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