If you’re a fan of the Warhammer 40,000 series, you already know how important September 9th is on the calendar.

Let’s say you’re not familiar with the series, but you love third-person shooters that hurl legions of enemies at the screen at once and combine mech concepts with vivid imagery. In that case, you might be interested in Warhammer 40,000 Space Marine 2.

Here’s my final comparison, and it’s multi-faceted: Think Gears of War meets Titanfall, Mech Warrior meets World War Z.

That’s a lot, but it feels like the right mix of titles to prepare you for what Space Marine 2 will be.

Here you can find out when the game will be released, what features it has and what the pre-order offers.

• Release date: September 9th, but those who pre-order the Gold Edition or higher will get early access on September 4th.
• Platforms: PS5, Xbox Series X/S and PC

Space Marine 2 Pre-Order Offers

Customers who pre-order will receive the Macragge’s Chosen DLC, as seen in the image below. It is a skin set for the Bolt Rifle, Chainsword, and Crux Terminatus.

There are 4 editions: Standard, Gold, Ultra and Collector’s Edition. The table below tells you what customers get with each edition.

Here’s an overview of the content of the four seasons offered in the SM2 Battle Pass.

Here are some gameplay examples from campaign mode.

SM2 also features co-op multiplayer and PvP options.

SM2 Campaign Mode

The campaign mode continues the story, set more than 100 years after the events of the first Space Marine game. Players take control of Captain Demetrian Titus.

The protagonist is a genetically enhanced Ultramarines super-soldier who is forced to endure a demotion to the rank of lieutenant within their ranks. The SM2 story follows Titus’ journey to prove he is worthy of regaining his rank while taking on the main antagonists, the Tyranids.

The gameplay is based on the Swarm technology that made World War Z (also developed by Saber) famous. The technology allows hundreds of enemies to be displayed on the screen at the same time, which should lead to large-scale battles.

That’s the trick that keeps me hooked in these games. Players are faced with continuous waves of Tyranids, with boss-like characters at each of the points.

Other gameplay options

I’ll be playing through the campaign first, but if done right, SM2 could make some unexpected noise in its multiplayer and alternate single-player options.

There is Operations Mod, which is focused on cooperative play. Each user chooses from different classes and you can customize your character and equipment.

Completing missions unlocks both cosmetic and gameplay rewards. Eternal War mode features PvP. It is 6v6 gameplay in different arenas depending on the game settings.

Users can choose between Annihilation Deathmatch, Seize Ground, and Capture and Control. Each mode allows you to earn XP and more firepower and melee weapons.

The environments also have a significant impact on SM2’s overall presentation and gameplay. Some of the structures are falling apart, from jungles to futuristic cities. Those familiar with the series will know what to expect, but they might be amazed by the visual quality of the latest version.