Warhammer 40K: Should You Play Space Marine 1 Before 2?

Now that Warhammer 40K: Space Marine 2 is out, a giant wave of excitement has taken over both returning fans and newcomers alike. Space Marine 2 continues the story of the powerful protagaonist in the series, Captain Titus, allowing players to once again discover what it's like to be in the shoes of an Ultramarine. For returning fans, Space Marine 2 serves as a direct sequel to its predecessor, offering a deeper narrative and expanding upon the universe of the 41st Millennium.

While Space Marine 2 is designed to be accessible for newcomers to the series, the first game provides valuable context on the series' lore. The following guide explores why playing the first Space Marine game might enhance your experience of the sequel, and what you should know if you decide to jump straight into Space Marine 2.

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By  Dakota Evans

What You Need To Know About Space Marine 1?

Released in 2011, the original Space Marine introduced players to a war-torn galaxy in the 41st century, or as referred to in the game as the 41st Millennium. In this period, humanity is in a dystopian future, locked in war and conflict with other species in the universe. Humanity has also made impressive advancements in space warfare and genetic engineering, which also resulted in the creation of power soldiers, known as Space Marines.

The game is set in a period when the planet called the Forge World Graia, a critical planet for the Imperium of Man, is invaded by the Ork forces. The Imperium of Man is a vast and dystopian human empire, led by a god-like figure known as the Emperor. The force of the invading Orks compels the Imperium of Man to deploy a small group of Space Marines to contain the situation. This group consists of the main protagonist, Captain Demetrian Titus, alongside Sergeant Sidonus and Leandros.

The quest to eliminate the Ork forces eventually leads the marines to meet a scientist named Inquisitor Drogan, who unveils the existence of a powerful artifact called the Psychic Scourge. Drogan tricks the marines into thinking that the artifact is a powerful weapon of mass destruction and capable of eliminating the Orks. Titus, along with his crew, follow Inquisitor Drogan's instructions and insert the Psychic Scourge into a spire, opening a portal to yet another army of hostile invaders called the forces of Chaos, led by Lord Nemeroth. Now, the Space Marines are up against both Orks and the forces of Chaos, but ultimately manage to stop Nemeroth and save Planet Graia for the Emperor.

However, Captain Titus' ability to resist Warp energies (Psychic Scourge and Nemeroth's powers) raises suspicion from his ally, Leandros, leading to the arrest and interrogation of Captain Titus by the Inquisition.

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Who Are Space Marines?

Space Marines are elite warriors of the Imperium of Man. These marines are genetically modified super soldiers, with the primary purpose of serving the Emperor and waging war. Space Marines are only deployed on the battlefield during the most dire and desperate situations.

Space Marines undergo extensive genetic modifications that enhance their physical and mental abilities, resulting in increased strength, endurance, and lifespan. These marines also receive top-of-the-line combat training and their genetic enhancements allow them to wear heavy armor and wield a range of powerful weapons.

Who Is Captain Demetrian Titus?

In Space Marine 1, players step into the shoes of Captain Titus, one of the members of the Ultramarines Chapter (division) of the Space Marines. Titus is a veteran Ultramarine and a former captain of the Ultramarines 2nd Company. He excelled at every challenge thrown his way during his recruitment and training, eventually turning into a powerful warrior and an inspiring leader.

Titus led the Ultramarines to defeat the forces of Chaos and the Orks, saving the Forge World Graia, but he was arrested by the Inquisition on suspicion of harnessing Warp energies. Titus was incarcerated for over a century following his arrest. During this time, he was both physically and mentally tortured to determine his potential connection to Warp and Chaos forces.

Feeling that he had brought shame upon the Ultramarines, Titus enlisted himself in the Deathwatch as penance. The Deathwatch is a military division of the Imperium that specializes in alient combat. You'll find Titus still serving under the Deathwatch during Space Marine 2's prologue, before his return to the Ultramarines.

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By  Luke Dammann

What Is New In Space Marine 2?

Space Marine 2 is a direct sequel to the first game in the series, where you'll once again play as Titus, but this time as the Primaris Lieutenant instead of a Captain. Titus must once lead his band of Space Marines and serve the Imperium of Man from the invading insect-like aliens, called the Tyranids and the all-too-familiar forces of Chaos as secondary enemies.

Space Marine 2 is a step-up in many ways from the first game, including graphical fidelity, improved and visceral combat, and immersive cinematic storytelling. The game continues the story of Demetrian Titus, while also introducing new characters and establishing additional plotlines.

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Is Playing Space Marine 1 Necessary?

It isn't strictly necessary to play the first Space Marine game to enjoy Space Marine 2. Despite being a direct sequel to the first game, Space Marine 2's story is self-contained and provides enough exposition for players to enjoy the experience.

At the same time, playing Space Marine 1 can definitely enhance your experience, enabling you to understand Captain Titus' character, motivations, and challenges. The first game also does the majority of world building, such as introducing iconic locations, exploring the conflict between the Imperium of Man and the forces of Chaos, and drawing the distinction between a Space Marine and a regular soldier, all of which lay the foundation for Space Marine 2 to build upon.

Additionally, if you wish to experience the continuity of the Space Marine story, skipping the first game may not be ideal as the sequel may leave you with answered questions or make references to the first game, which you may not catch up on.

Finally, if you've been following the Warhammer 40K universe and enjoy action-packed third-person shooters, it's highly recommended to play Space Marine 1 before jumping into sequel since it's a great game for its time. You can complete the game's main story in under eight hours and understand the plot better.