Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 is just a few days away from release. As the sequel to the classic 2011 title, it has become a hot topic and one of the most anticipated games of 2024. Naturally, many fans have questions about the title.
If you’re one of those fans, you’ve come to the right place. The guide below will address any questions you may have, covering everything from the release date and available platforms to system requirements and details about the different editions.
5 Reasons Why Warhammer Fans Should Be Excited For Space Marines 2
Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 has numerous interesting features that fans are excited about.
Warhammer 40K: Space Marine 2 Release Date & Platform Details
The release date for Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 can be a bit confusing, as there are essentially two different dates. Players who pre-order any edition except the Standard Edition will be able to start playing on September 5. Meanwhile, Standard Edition owners will gain access to the game starting on September 9.
All Available Platforms for Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2
Fortunately, Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 does not have any console exclusivity deals. The game will be available on PC, Xbox Series X|S, and PlayStation 5 simultaneously. However, owners of previous-generation consoles will miss out, as the game does not support 8th-gen consoles like the Xbox One and PlayStation 4. Additionally, the game is expected to be Steam Deck verified by the end of 2024.
When Can You Start Pre-loading Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2?
Pre-load availability for Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 varies depending on the platform and edition you pre-ordered:
- Xbox Series X|S owners who have pre-ordered any edition (including the Standard Edition) can start pre-loading now (at the time of writing). The game will unlock on September 5 or September 9, depending on the edition.
- PlayStation 5 players will need to wait a bit longer. Owners of the Gold or Ultra Editions can start pre-loading on September 3 at 7:00 AM EST, while those with the Standard Edition can begin pre-loading on September 7 at 12:00 PM EST.
- PC players will not have the option to pre-load the game, regardless of the edition purchased.
Is Warhammer 40K: Space Marine 2 Available on Any Subscription Service?
The only way to play Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 is to purchase it outright; it isn't available on any video game subscription services like Xbox Game Pass or PlayStation Plus. However, that doesn't rule out the possibility of it being added to these services in the future. On the bright side, the game will be available on GeForce Now from day one.
Is Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 Available on GOG?
Unfortunately, Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 is not available on the GOG storefront. Although the game doesn’t use intrusive DRM like Denuvo, it still cannot be played DRM-free. However, a future release on GOG isn't out of the question, as previous games from the publisher have eventually become available there.
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Console Performance & PC Requirements For Space Marine 2
Many console players will be able to enjoy Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 at the highly desired 60 FPS, though this isn't true for all consoles:
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
What Are the PC System Requirements for Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2?
PC players will be pleased to know that Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 won’t be too demanding on their hardware. The game’s minimum and recommended requirements are as follows:
|
PC Specs |
Minimum Requirements |
Recommended Requirements |
|---|---|---|
|
Resolution / Frame Rate |
1080p @ 30FPS |
1080p @ 60FPS |
|
Graphics Preset |
Low Preset |
Ultra Preset |
|
Processor |
AMD Ryzen 5 2600X or Intel Core i5-8600K |
AMD Ryzen 5 5800X or Intel Core i7-12700 |
|
GPU |
AMD Radeon RX 580 or NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 |
AMD Radeon RX 6800 XT or NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 |
|
VRAM |
6 GB |
8 GB |
|
Memory |
8 GB |
16 GB |
|
Storage |
75 GB SSD |
75 GB SSD |
What is the File Size of Warhammer 40K: Space Marine 2?
Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 offers a ton of content, but it won't take up a ridiculous amount of space on your platform. The game requires approximately 75 GB of free storage, but it must be installed on an SSD — your age-old HDD just won’t do this time.
Does Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 Support Upscaling Technologies or Ray Tracing?
Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 does not support any ray tracing features, which might be a relief given the high hardware demands of ray tracing. However, the game does support various upscaling technologies. At launch, players will be able to use DLSS 2.0 and FSR 2.0. A post-launch update will add support for DLSS 3.0 and FSR 3.0 at a later date.
Does Warhammer 40K: Space Marine 2 Support Ultrawide Screen and HDR?
Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 will not support HDR or Ultrawide at launch. However, a future patch scheduled for September will add Ultrawide support for the PC version of the game.
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How Many Game Modes In Warhammer 40K: Space Marine 2?
Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 aims to deliver excellent value for your money, offering three major game modes:
- A full-fledged campaign that is set after the events of the first game.
- A PvE mode called Operations, where you battle enemies alongside your comrades.
- A PvP mode called Eternal War, where you and your allies face off against other human-controlled players.
How Long Is The Campaign For Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2?
Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 offers a substantial amount of content for its price. The multiplayer and replayable PvE modes can easily occupy a significant portion of your playtime. However, the campaign isn't short either, taking around 10-12 hours to complete. The length could vary, depending on the difficulty and the player's skill level.
Does Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 Support Co-Op?
Yes, Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 does support co-op. You can play the entire campaign and PvE modes with up to two of your friends, though LAN is not supported.
The multiplayer mode, Eternal War, can be played with up to five friends.
Are Special Editions Of Warhammer 40000: Space Marine 2 Worth It?
Discover if the Gold and Ultra Editions of Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 offer enough value with their early access and exclusive content.
Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 Edition Differences
Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 offers four different editions, each progressively more expensive and packed with additional content. Below are the names of all four editions and their respective contents:
|
Edition Name |
Content |
Price |
|---|---|---|
|
Standard Edition |
|
|
|
Gold Edition |
|
|
|
Ultra Edition |
|
|
|
Collector's Edition |
|
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Does Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 Have Any Pre-Order Bonuses?
Players who purchase Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 before the release date will receive the Macragge's Chosen DLC, a cosmetic-only add-on. This DLC includes an Ultramarines-inspired skin set for the 
Bolt Rifle, 
Chainsword, and Crux Terminatus Pauldron. The pre-order bonus will be available regardless of the game's edition, as long as the purchase is made before the release date.
Does Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 Have Any Microtransactions?
Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 does not feature any microtransactions. There are no loot boxes or in-game stores. However, there will be paid DLC, limited to cosmetic items only.
All gameplay-related content will be free for all owners of the game.
Does Warhammer 40K: Space Marine 2 Support Cross-Play?
Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 joins the growing list of games that support cross-play (though it does come with some limitations).
There is full cross-play support from day one between PC (Steam and Epic Games Store) and consoles (PS5 and Xbox Series X|S) for campaign and PvE game modes. However, this does not translate to PvP modes. In multiplayer, cross-play is divided between PC players and console players to maintain balance, as PC players would generally have an advantage over console players.
This means in Eternal War mode, players on Steam and the Epic Games Store can enjoy playing together, while those on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S can play together as well. However, cross-play between PC and console players will not be supported. Once again, this is only true for 6v6 Eternal War Mode.
You can disable the cross-play feature in the game’s settings menu if preferred, but doing so may slow down matchmaking. It’s generally recommended to keep it enabled for the best experience.