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Now thatWarhammer 40K: Space Marine 2is out, a giant wave of excitement has taken over both returning fans and newcomers alike.Space Marine 2continues 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 2serves as a direct sequel to its predecessor, offering a deeper narrative and expanding upon the universe of the 41st Millennium.
WhileSpace Marine 2is 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 firstSpace Marinegame might enhance your experience of the sequel, and what you should know if you decide to jump straight intoSpace Marine 2.
What You Need To Know About Space Marine 1?
Released in 2011, the originalSpace Marineintroduced 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 adystopian 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 thecreation of power soldiers, known as Space Marines.
The game is set in a period when the planet called theForge World Graia, a critical planet for theImperium of Man, isinvaded 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, alongsideSergeant SidonusandLeandros.
The quest to eliminate the Ork forces eventually leads the marines to meet a scientist namedInquisitor Drogan, who unveils the existence of apowerful artifact called the Psychic Scourge.Drogan tricks the marinesinto 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 andinsert the Psychic Scourge into a spire, opening a portal to yet another army of hostile invaders called theforces 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.
Who Are Space Marines?
Space Marines are elite warriors of theImperium 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 thatenhance 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 enhancementsallow them to wear heavy armor and wield a range of powerful weapons.
Who Is Captain Demetrian Titus?
InSpace 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 theUltramarines 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 wasarrested 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 mentallytortured 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.
What Is New In Space Marine 2?
Space Marine 2is 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 ofSpace Marinesand serve the Imperium of Man from the invading insect-like aliens, called theTyranidsand the all-too-familiar forces of Chaos as secondary enemies.
Space Marine 2is a step-up in many ways from the first game, includinggraphical 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.
Is Playing Space Marine 1 Necessary?
It isn’t strictly necessary to play the firstSpace Marinegame to enjoySpace Marine 2. Despite being a direct sequel to the first game,Space Marine 2’sstory is self-contained and provides enough exposition for players to enjoy the experience.
At the same time, playingSpace Marine 1can 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 forSpace Marine 2to build upon.
Additionally, if you wish to experience the continuity of theSpace Marinestory, 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 theWarhammer 40Kuniverse and enjoy action-packedthird-person shooters, it’s highly recommended to playSpace Marine 1before 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.
