10 Best Games Like Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2

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Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 took the world by storm when it launched, offering players a back-to-basics third-person shooter with some impressive technology behind it, allowing for striking sequences against thousands of Tyranids. It hearkened back to the days of Gears of War and the original Space Marine, where a solid, well-crafted campaign and additional multiplayer offerings were enough for players. Its gorgeous visuals, visceral gameplay, and compelling campaign made it a title worth experiencing.

Of course, now that players have beaten one of the best Warhammer games ever made, they want something new. Fortunately, there are a lot of games that fit the Space Marine 2 description, whether that's as an enjoyable third-person shooter or a Warhammer-focused experience that gets the lore right. Ranging from indies, CRPGs, gory third-person shooters, and more, there are so many games that Space Marine 2 enthusiasts should absolutely check out.

10 Warhammer 40,000: Darktide (Fatshark)

A 40K First-Person Shooter

Warhammer 40,000: Darktide is probably the closest to Space Marine 2 players will get as it offers a co-op, high-quality, modern, and brutally violent look at the grimdark 40k universe through the eyes of mankind. Players will fight through Operation-style missions as they attempt to complete objectives across sizable and intricately designed maps set within the gloriously Gothic locales of the Imperium of Man. There are also hordes of enemies to fight - although not quite as many as Space Marine 2's Tyranids - which make each encounter feel incredibly intense.

An Ultramarine and an Ork from Warhammer 40,000

10 Warhammer 40K Factions That Deserve The Space Marine 2 Treatment

Warhammer 40,000 has many interesting factions that would offer some fun gameplay in a Space Marine 2-style action game and explore new perspectives.

Darktide was released to positive reviews, although it had its fair share of problems. Luckily, it has been updated quite a lot by its developer, Fatshark, and now offers a far more polished experience. However, there are some key differences between Darktide and Space Marine 2. For one, it's a first-person game rather than third-person. It also involves the Astra Militarum - also known as the Imperial Guard - who are a lot weaker than Space Marines but have their own unique traits, including the powerful Psyker class who can wield Warp energy.

9 Gears Of War 5 (The Coalition)

One Of The Best In The Series

Of course, the most apt game to play after Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 is the one that inspired it the most. The Gears of War series has so many incredible games - with some being better than others - for Space Marine 2 fans to jump right into. It tells a complex narrative across the entire series, although the fifth entry serves as a strong starting point as it both has some of the best game design of all the Gears games and doesn't rely too heavily on preexisting lore and characters to tell its narrative.

However, really any of the Gears of War games would fit the bill. Much like Space Marine 2, Gears of War takes players through action-packed environments set in a grimdark universe against a seemingly unstoppable alien force. Players even control larger-than-life (literally) super soldiers in big, heavy armor as they stomp about cutting into enemies with their chainsaw guns. If Space Marine 2 fans are going to play any game similar to it, they should absolutely play a Gears of War game.

8 Aliens: Fireteam Elite (Cold Iron Studios)

Another Gory Licensed Sci-Fi Third-Person Shooter

Aliens: Fireteam Elite is, much like Darktide and Space Marine 2's Operation mode, a series of challenging replayable missions in which players blast bugs with large guns. There are several classes to choose from, each of which has its own abilities and gun types that it specializes in, so coordinating with the other players in a squad is paramount.

While Aliens: Fireteam Elite is a co-op experience, players can enjoy it alone. The entire game is playable with bots, much like Space Marine 2 , although rather than giving the player other marines to fight alongside, they're given Working Joes.

Importantly, many of Aliens: Fireteam Elite's best features can be found in Space Marine 2, including swarms of Tyranid-like aliens, enjoyable objectives, and military sci-fi themes. It's another game that does its IP justice, especially for those who are fans of the more action-packed sequel film that this film is most inspired by. For sci-fi fans and especially Space Marine 2 enthusiasts, Aliens: Fireteam Elite is a must.

7 Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader (Owlcat Games)

A 40K CRPG With Great Writing

A slightly different yet nevertheless enjoyable game that fans of Space Marine 2 should play is the incredibly rich CRPG, Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader. Of course, in terms of gameplay, Rogue Trader is a vastly different experience. It is a turn-based tactical adventure in which players venture out across the galaxy on an expertly written journey full of fascinating characters from across the 40k mythos.

However, for those who got into Warhammer 40k through Space Marine 2, or those who have been interested in it for a long time, Rogue Trader is a phenomenal experience. It understands the Warhammer 40k IP better than most Warhammer games, and its grander scale allows it to feature factions that were missed in Space Marine 2. Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader is easily one of the best 40k games and a great experience for Space Marine 2 fans.

6 Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun (Auroch Digital)

A Perfect Warhammer Boomer Shooter

Many may not know of Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun, or even its connection to Space Marine 2's story. However, Boltgun is an integral part of the Space Marine series as it is set between the events of the first and second games. More importantly, Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun is a truly terrific boomer shooter that nails the visceral and violent nature of the franchise with its crunchy gameplay and staggering visuals.

Boltgun follows the challenging quest of a lone Ultramarine as they attempt to cut through the hordes of Chaos demons and marines using weapons Space Marine 2 fans will be all too familiar with. The chainsword, an iconic Space Marine weapon, is given greater importance in Boltgun and is accompanied by an incredibly satisfying and suitably gory animation. Boltgun is a great 40k game and an even better boomer shooter worthy of all Space Marine 2 fans' time.

5 Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine (Relic Entertainment)

It Got A Sequel For A Reason

Of course, when discussing games like Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2, its predecessor deserves a mention. From both a gameplay and narrative perspective, the first Space Marine game is surprisingly identical to the sequel. So, fans who skipped it should feel right at home. It's a gory third-person shooter that takes players through a war-torn Imperial Forge planet, not unlike Space Marine 2, as they attempt to prevent a Chaos Sorcerer from destroying the galaxy.

Space Marine 2 in front of a Space Marine battling Tyrannies and a futuristic clock.

Warhammer 40K: Space Marine 2 - How Titus Is Still Alive After 200 Years

Warhammer 40K: Space Marine 2 reveals that there is a 200 year time jump from the first game, and Titus is still alive to be the protagonist of both.

It is a lot of fun to see the origins of Titus and his rivalry with Leandros, although it's worth noting that in the first game, he was voiced by Mark Strong and not Clive Standen. The original Space Marine isn't quite as refined as its sequel for obvious reasons, but it still holds up relatively well. It is well worth either playing it for the first time or revisiting it for those who are craving more of Space Marine 2's gory action.

4 Space Hulk: Deathwing Enhanced Edition (Streum On Studio/Cyanide)

A First-Person Space Marine Gore Fest

Space Hulk: Deathwing Enhanced Edition is a first-person 40k game, not unlike Darktide, that sees players take on the role of a Space Marine Terminator as they stomp around a titular space hulk attempting to cull a horde of Tyranids. It's not hard to see the connections between Space Marine 2 and Space Hulk: Deathwing, as they both feature towering customizable Space Marines and a plethora of Tyranids to kill.

However, what makes Space Hulk: Deathwing Enhanced Edition so worthwhile is how it explores different facets of the 40k lore. Its depiction of a space hulk is mesmerizing, largely thanks to the incredible art direction, and some of the towering Gothic architecture is a sight to behold. There are a lot more tactical elements to Space Hulk: Deathwing - as it is adapted from a board game - which makes it all the more immersive.

3 Evil West (Flying Wild Hog)

Space Marine 2 With Cowboys

Evil West is very much like Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 with cowboys. It's a third-person action-packed adventure in which players take on the role of a gunslinging cowboy as they try to rid the Wild West of demons and vampires. There's co-op for those who enjoy playing Space Marine 2 with a friend, or the entire experience can be played alone as a lone wolf saving the US on their own.

Evil West is the best game for those who enjoyed Space Marine 2's campaign. It's more narrative-driven and cutscene-heavy than the likes of Aliens: Fireteam Elite or Space Hulk: Deathwing. Evil West's blend of horror, gory action, and special abilities makes it the ideal title for those who enjoyed ripping and tearing through Tyranids in Space Marine 2.

2 Vanquish (PlatinumGames/Little Stone Software)

Like Space Marine 2 At 2x Speed

Vanquish is very much like someone turned Space Marine 2 up to 2x speed. Rather than a lumbering Space Marine, players take control of Sam, an agile super soldier with boosters that can send him flying a thousand miles per hour around an arena. With frenetic action against robot forces and giant bosses, Vanquish is an explosive, action-packed game with phenomenal pacing.

It's also developed by PlatinumGames, which is famous for its unique approach to action. It has taken everything it learned from the Bayonetta games and applied it to Vanquish, making its gunplay feel truly unique. While it is a lot faster-paced than Space Marine 2, Vanquish is still absolutely worth playing, even if it's for its style, great story, and thrilling movement.

1 World War Z: Aftermath (Saber Interactive)

A Zombie Horde Shooter Like Space Marine 2

Before Space Marine 2, Saber Interactive developed World War Z, based on the film of the same name, in which players fight hordes of zombies alongside their friends. It revolutionized the swarm technology that was later used to create the immense Tyranid hordes that Titus and his Space Marine brothers had to contend with. There's something truly horrifying about seeing wave upon wave of zombies climbing on top of each other to tear out the player's throat.

World War Z: Aftermath is a re-released version of the original World War Z game. It bundles in all of the content from the original game while adding new features such as a first-person mode.

Luckily, World War Z: Aftermath is a thrilling experience that makes its scary action as enjoyable as possible. It's no surprise it reviewed well at launch, offering players plenty of enjoyable and replayable missions to work their way through with friends. For those who are intrigued to see how Space Marine 2 became the game that it eventually was, World War Z: Aftermath is a must-play.

Source: Owlcat Games/YouTube, Focus Entertainment/YouTube