turn-based gameplay of Warhammer 40,000 into a thrilling action game that perfectly fits its source material. Shooting and slashing through waves of enemies does a great job showing off the power of an Ultramarine from Warhammer 40K, and the game successfully captures the unique feel of enemies like Tyranids and Chaos Space Marines.
With Space Marine 2 handling the Ultramarines so well, many Warhammer 40K players likely wish there was a game like it for their favorite faction. While Space Marine 2 is adding DLC for different Space Marine chapters, there are plenty of other armies players would love to see get their own game. Other factions could also allow players to explore more of the 40K universe, and provide unique playstyles that would set these games apart from Space Marine 2 while keeping what works.
10 Grey Knights Are Like Ultra Marines With Magic
The Grey Knights Would Have Added Psychic Abiliites
The Imperium of Man likes to label psychics, or “psykers,” as heretics, but that doesn’t mean the Imperium doesn’t take advantage of these powers too. Grey Knights are a secret chapter of Space Marines who use psychic powers alongside their considerable strength to fight the forces of Chaos. This means that a game based around Grey Knights could still operate similarly to Space Marine 2, but players would be able to add some magic to their arsenal. While Grey Knights already starred in a turn-based game, playing them in an action game would be very exciting.
The Future Of Warhammer 40,000 Space Marine 2 May Already Be In Trouble
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Because Grey Knights are specifically deployed to take out Chaos Daemons and their followers, players could face off against some Chaos threats that haven’t been seen in Space Marine or Space Marine 2’s campaigns. While fan-favorite factions like the Death Guard are present in Space Marine 2’s PvP mode eternal war, it would be a lot of fun to see them as a major antagonist in the campaign. The Grey Knights’ sworn secrecy and tendency to kill civilians who witness Chaos incursions is also a perfect setup for creating good drama in a story.
9 Space Marine 2 Proved How Cool The Thousand Sons Are
The Thousand Sons Are Chaos Space Marines With Warp Powers
Aside from Tyranids, Space Marine 2’s campaign also pits players against the Thousand Sons chapter of Chaos Space Marines. This included the standard troopers, Rubric Marines, as well as Scarab Occult Terminators, and Sorcerers. Aside from their magical abilities, the Thousand Sons also have a unique, ancient Egypt-inspired design. It’s hard to see such cool enemies and not wonder what it would be like to get to play through a similar game with all their powers.
There is one hurdle a game about the Thousand Sons would have to overcome. Most of the chapter was turned to dust, leaving their armor as undead shells controlled by the faction’s Sorcerers. This would mean the game would need to put the player in the role of a sorcerer or else not feature many dialogue scenes. Still, what the Thousand Sons lack in personality they make up for in their cool factor, so players might be able to overlook the fact that they’re playing as a dusty zombie.
8 Space Wolves Have Some Of 40K's Coolest Weapons
Space Wolves' Ferocious Attitude And Weapons Would Be More Intense Than Ultramarines
Although there are some Space Wolves Customization options in Space Marine 2, 40K players know that they don’t even come close to capturing the chapter’s unique personality. These Viking-themed Space Marines often adorn their armor with pelts, leather, and teeth, giving them a very old-world look despite their high-tech armor. Space Wolves also tend to use some interesting weapons that set them apart from their brothers from other chapters.
Apart from the typical swords that many Space Marines use, Space Wolves also use double-headed axes to fit the Viking aesthetic and their penchant for fighting at close range. Many also use Lightning Claws, massive spiked gauntlets that can be used to tear into enemies. Space Wolves also fight alongside — or sometimes ride — massive Fenrisian Wolves. While Space Wolf gameplay would still be familiar to Space Marine 2 players, this element of ferocity and the addition of pets would create some cool new ways to take out Xenos or the forces of Chaos.
7 Adepta Sororitas Have Become Very Popular After Their 40K Relaunch
The Sisters Of Battle Are Well-Liked Faction With A Unique Look
The Sisters of Battle (officially the Adepta Sororitas) are a distinct faction within the Imperium of Man. They are an all-female force of warriors who are strictly devout towards their God-Emperor and tolerate no heresy against him. Their armor is often augmented with religious garb such as nun’s habits or flowing robes. This style extends to their vehicles, where it isn’t uncommon to see a tank with stained glass, candles, or a pipe organ on top of it.
Warhammer 40K: Should The Next Big Video Game Focus on the Space Marines?
Warhammer 40,000's universe is filled with many rich lore-filled factions, all of whom deserve a video game treatment similar to Space Marine 2.
A nun with a gun rolling into battle on the back of a mobile church is exactly the kind of wild thing that makes 40K such a fun fictional world to explore. This faction could also be a good choice for their own game, as they gained a lot of popularity over the last five years or so after their line of miniatures got some new releases. While there is already Warhammer 40,000: Battle Sister in VR, it would be nice to get a game that’s more accessible to a wider range of players.
6 The Custodes Are The Imperium's Strongest Soldiers
Playing As A Custodes Would Allow Players To Fight Stronger Enemies
The Adeptus Custodes are humanity’s elite fighting force tasked with guarding the Emperor of Mankind. Except for the Emperor himself and his Primarchs, there are few in the Imperium that can stand up to a Custodes in a fair one-on-one fight. Basing a video game around such a powerful character in the 40K universe would open up some new avenues for enemies and story beats.
If players are even more powerful than a Space Marine, this means the game can put them up against even bigger threats. This could mean massive boss battles, or just cutting through waves of enemies. Somewhat recently, the Adeptus Custodes decided to leave their post by the Emperor’s side and the Indomitus Crusade. This creates the perfect opportunity for a game about Custodes on the front lines of humanity’s never-ending war against the rest of the universe.
5 The Adeptus Mechanicus Have A Lot Of Fun Gadgets
An Adeptus Mechanicus Game Could Give The Player Cool Tools To Use In Combat
The Adeptus Mechanicus is a cult of scientists, engineers, and technicians that originated from Mars. They are unique among the forces of the Imperium because they worship their own god of machines called the Omnissiah. Although they often augment their own bodies with high-tech machinery, the Adeptus Mechanicus are not as powerful as a Space Marine, which could make for a unique Space Marine 2-style game.
Whereas the raw power of the Ultramarines in Space Marine 2 does a lot of the heavy lifting for players, a game centered around the Adeptus Mechanicus would likely have the player relying more heavily on gadgets and vehicles. This would be a fun chance for players to try out a variety of different futuristic weapons. It would also open up customization options for how players want to augment their character.
4 The Aeldari Would Offer A Totally New Playstyle
The Aeldari Are Quicker And Less Durable Than Space Marines
The Aeldari or Eldar are Warhammer 40K’s equivalent of elves from traditional fantasy. They are a highly advanced race who rely on their technology and mobility more than brute strength. There is a wide variety of Eldar that a game could highlight, be it the Craftworlds Aeldari, the pirate Drukhari, or even the mysterious Harlequins who exist outside any Aeldari society. Whichever faction the game focused on, it would provide a new playstyle that would be very distinct from Space Marine 2.
Warhammer 40K: Space Marine 2's Success Harkens Back To An Underrated Era In Gaming
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Players would likely be a bit squishier, dying more easily, but also able to move around much more quickly. This would be a nice change of pace for those who enjoy highly mobile video game characters over beefier ones. A game about the Aeldari could end up feeling more like Armored Core or even other FromSoftware titles that often pit players against stronger enemies.
3 The Leagues of Votann Would Offer A Unique Perspective On The 40K Universe
The Leagues Of Votann Are More Interested In Rersouces And Survival Than War
The Leagues of Votann are made up of the Kin, descendants of humans from Old Earth, and their robots known as Ironkin who they treat as equal of their group. The Leagues of Votann are not as outwardly evil as many 40K factions, including the Imperium, but they still aren’t good. They are staunch isolationists who care only about their peoples’ survival, and would gladly invade an inhabited planet to harvest its resources for their own gain.
Given their isolationist tendencies, the Leagues of Votann are perhaps the closest thing that Warhammer 40K has to a neutral faction. They don’t necessarily get along with anyone else, but they also aren’t on a holy crusade to destroy other factions. This could give players a new lens through which to see the 40K universe, especially the Imperium. This would be cool because there are plenty of games like Space Marine 2 that show the Imperium from the perspective of an insider, but not many that take a more objective look at it.
2 Playing As Tyranids Could Allow For Asymmetrical PVP
Taking On The Role Of Space Marine 2's Enemy Would Open Up New Gameplay Possibilities
A spin-off title to Space Marine 2 that allowed players to play as Tyranids could open up a lot of fun possibilities. First, the number of AAA games that allow players to take control of a large inhuman monster is shockingly small. Plenty of 40K players would likely love the chance to demolish a battlefield as a Hive Tyrant in a game that would essentially be the inverse of Space Marine 2.
There were also some complaints over how Space Marine 2 handled PvP. If the same developers made a game that allowed players to control Tyranids, then it wouldn’t be completely out of the question to think they could include some asymmetrical PvP that pits a team of Marines against a team of Tyranids. Games like Left 4 Dead showed how much fun it could be to let players take over as the NPC monsters, and it would likely be even better with a game that’s the same quality as Space Marine 2.
1 40K's Orks Would Offer Chaotic Gameplay And A Comedic Tone
Orks In 40K Are Much More Interesting And Humorous Than Typical Orcs
Since Lord of the Rings, orcs have been a staple of the fantasy genre. However, they tend to be one-note and somewhat boring antagonists. Due to this, players would be forgiven for thinking Warhammer 40K’s Orks would be the same. They would be wrong.
In 40K, Orks are a race that evolved from sentient mushrooms who have the power to manifest whatever they collectively believe into reality. If Orks believe their cars go faster because they’re painted red, then they do. If they believe a heap of slapped-together scrap is an effective weapon, then it is.
Because of this unique take on Orks, a Warhammer 40K game starring them would likely be a lot of fun. Not only would players get to use some of their ridiculous vehicles and weaponry, but they would also be treated to a much more comedic tone than something like Space Marine 2 has. This would help keep 40K games feeling fresh while still delivering on fun, over-the-top action.
Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine II
- Released
- September 9, 2024
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ Due To Blood and Gore, Intense Violence
- Developer(s)
- Saber Interactive
- Publisher(s)
- Focus Entertainment
- Engine
- Swarm Engine
- Multiplayer
- Online Co-Op, Online Multiplayer
- Cross-Platform Play
- PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S
- Franchise
- Warhammer 40K
- Platform(s)
- PC, PS5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
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