Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 - Your Burning Questions Answered

The highly anticipated sequel, Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2, is just around the corner, set to captivate fans with its arrival. Following the success of the original 2011 title, this next installment has quickly become one of the most awaited games of 2024. With its release date approaching, many players have pressing questions. Here’s everything you need to know, from launch details and platform availability to system requirements and edition specifics.

Release Date & Platforms for Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2

Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 will be available to players on different dates based on their edition. Those who pre-order any edition except the Standard Edition can dive into the game starting September 5. Standard Edition owners will have to wait until September 9 to begin their adventure.

The game will be accessible across multiple platforms simultaneously, including PC, Xbox Series X|S, and PlayStation 5. However, it will not be available on previous-generation consoles like Xbox One and PlayStation 4. Additionally, it is expected to be verified for Steam Deck by the end of 2024.

Pre-Loading Information

Pre-loading options vary by platform and edition:

- Xbox Series X|S: Pre-loading is available immediately for all editions. Depending on the edition, the game will unlock on either September 5 or September 9.

- PlayStation 5: Gold or Ultra Edition holders can start pre-loading on September 3 at 7:00 AM EST, while Standard Edition owners can begin on September 7 at 12:00 PM EST.

- PC: Pre-loading is not available for any edition.

Subscription Services & GOG Availability

Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 will not be available through subscription services like Xbox Game Pass or PlayStation Plus at launch, though it may join these services in the future. It will be accessible on GeForce Now from day one. The game will not be offered on the GOG storefront, although future availability on GOG is not entirely out of the question.

Console Performance & PC Requirements

Console players can expect impressive performance, though specifics vary:

PlayStation 5:

 - Quality Mode: 4K at 30 FPS

 - Performance Mode: 1080p at 60 FPS

Xbox Series X:

 - Quality Mode: 4K at 30 FPS

 - Performance Mode: 1080p at 60 FPS

Xbox Series S:

 - Quality Mode: 1440p at 30 FPS

 - No Performance Mode available

PC System Requirements

The game is relatively friendly on hardware. Here are both the minimum requirements, as well as the recommended requirements:

File Size & Storage Requirements

Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 requires around 75 GB of free storage and must be installed on an SSD, not an HDD.

Upscaling Technologies & Ray Tracing

The game does not support ray tracing but does offer upscaling technologies including DLSS 2.0 and FSR 2.0 at launch. Support for DLSS 3.0 and FSR 3.0 will be added via a post-launch update.

Ultrawide Screen & HDR Support

At launch, Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 will not support both HDR or Ultrawide displays. However, a patch scheduled for September will introduce Ultrawide support for the PC version.

Game Modes

Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 features three major game modes:

1. A full campaign set after the original game’s events.

2. A PvE mode called Operations, where you fight alongside allies.

3. A PvP mode known as Eternal War, where you compete against other players.

Campaign Length

Expect a robust campaign experience taking approximately 10-12 hours to complete, with the duration varying based on difficulty and player skill.

Co-Op Support

The game supports co-op play, allowing up to two friends to join you in the campaign and PvE modes, though LAN play is not supported.

Edition Differences

There are four editions of Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2, each with increasing levels of content and price:

Pre-Order Bonuses

Pre-ordering the game grants you the Macragge's Chosen DLC, which includes a cosmetic set inspired by the Ultramarines, such as skins for the Bolt Rifle, Chainsword, and Crux Terminatus Pauldron. This bonus is available with any pre-order, regardless of edition.

Microtransactions

The game does not feature microtransactions or loot boxes. Paid DLC will be limited to cosmetic items only, with all gameplay-related content included in the base game.

Cross-Play Support

Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 supports cross-play between PC (Steam and Epic Games Store) and consoles (PS5 and Xbox Series X|S) for campaign and PvE modes. However, PvP modes will only feature cross-play within platform groups (PC vs. PC, console vs. console) to maintain balance. Cross-play can be disabled in the settings if desired, though it may affect matchmaking times.