MeinMMO author Johanna Heuck really wanted to Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2. Even though she doesn’t really know how to play the game, she is really excited.
Actually, shooters are not my genre at all. Although I’ve spent several hours in PUBG, so I’m no stranger to shooters, I always have my friends with me who can protect me. You can’t always rely on my accuracy.
Accordingly, Space Marine 2 didn’t interest me at all. But said friends had this game on their wish list and I kept hearing: “Space Marine 2 is going to be so awesome! I’m really excited!”
After a fight against my aversion to shooters, curiosity eventually won out and I plunged into the grim, gloomy future of the 41st millennium, put on power armor and started slaughtering Tyranids.
I’m now completely addicted to Space Marine 2 and the game has hooked me on its absurdly huge Warhammer lore. I’m not even good at the game. So not at all.
The launch trailer for Space Marine 2, the new co-op shooter in Warhammer 40k
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The most important feature is my biggest enemy
So I started the game and Space Marine 2 didn’t hesitate for a second to throw me right into the action. The game basically told me, “There are about seven thousand three hundred and five Tyranids here, good luck!”
Little by little the game teaches me the controls until we reach a crucial point (at least for me): parrying. That’s not my thing at all.
No matter what kind of video game it is, I just can’t do parry. Even if the game screams at me, predicting the exact moment using sounds and displays like a mother animal, I just can’t manage to press the button at the right moment.
This is basically my death sentence for Space Marine 2, because parrying is a core mechanic here and is extremely important. Combo attacks with parries are one of the best ways to kill as many enemies at once as effectively as possible, especially with a specific weapon type.
When huge masses of Tyranids overrun me in the final part of the tutorial, I die several times in a row. I’m frustrated.
I keep a mental count of how many times I have to press the attack button to cast a long-range combo. In addition, I study the Tyranids’ attacks to determine the exact moment of parry.
I die a total of six times, but I’m still too vain to lower the difficulty level. Eventually I make it through the tutorial and drag myself exhausted into the following cutscenes.
What’s really behind Warhammer: So much lore!
After my initial problems, I finally get to the first cutscenes. I get to watch as Lieutenant Titus is rebuilt from a Space Marine into something even more badass after his near-death. Now the lore suddenly completely captures me and the game immediately seems much more interesting.
The more information I get in the following process, the faster my science fiction heart beats. I quickly notice: There is an enormous amount of background knowledge to discover here.
I’ll pause the game for now and start researching: What exactly is an Ultra Marine? Who is Titus? What are these critters that I have to shoot? Why did all this happen? And what kind of strange terms are they all using?
After a few minutes, I realize that the Warhammer rabbit hole goes much deeper than I first thought. I was firmly convinced that there was only the predecessor and maybe some spin-off video games, but no.
There are video games, comic books, books and even a movie…? Although… it doesn’t look that good. It’s definitely not canon. There are entire playlists on YouTube that explain the entire lore.
Or instructions on how and where to start if you want to get into Warhammer history. Entire instructions that explain to me in what order I have to understand it.
Oh god…as a sci-fi nut, I couldn’t have picked a better story! Or should I say: With the Emperor?
A little experiment makes me a huge fan
Admittedly, I was initially depressed about Space Marine 2. I wanted to try something that was far away from me and I couldn’t have chosen a more unsuitable game.
Parrying is my nemesis and we will definitely not be friends anymore. Neither here nor in any other game.
Still, I’m too vain to lower the difficulty because that wouldn’t feel true to the lore. After all, a Space Marine doesn’t give up!
Although I have difficulty with the gameplay, I love the game. The lore fascinates me far too much for my lack of skills to discourage me. I just want to know more about the story.
Luckily I have my friends who can help me with both the Tyranids and the lore. In this game, too, I have the opportunity to hide behind my friends via multiplayer while my aim is missing.
Well done Warhammer, you’ve captivated me! Now if I’ll excuse you, I’m needed in the fight against the Tyranids.
Even though I’m definitely not an expert when it comes to lore – it will probably take some time – I have dealt extensively with the weapons in Space Marine 2. The result is a tier list that might help you decide your main weapon: Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2: Tier List among the best weapons