Warhammer 40K: Space Marine 2 Multiplayer Desperately Needs To Fix Its Chaos Problem

The PvP multiplayer in Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 allows players to charge into combat as either a Space Marine or a Chaos Marine in the Eternal War with a number of different combat modes. There's an impressive number of character customization options in the PvP mode for the Space Marine classes. This excitement does not stretch to the opposing faction, with the Chaos Marines severely lacking in the personalization department.

A vast customization option for a PvP character may not have been what players thought they needed in a Space Marine game, but now they have tasted a slice of it, it can be even more disappointing to be unable to design their own Chaos Marine. What is even worse is the fact they ar randomized into a team upon starting a PvP match, sometimes restricting players from even using their customized Space Marines, instead being forced to fight with a far less inspirational Chaos Marine.

The Player Can Create Their Perfect Space Marine

The Customization Options Are Almost Endless

The PvP customization options for the Space Marine faction are so abundant, players are spoiled for choice in how their perfectly personalized Space Marine can look. From the armor style, to the color of each individual section of the armor, to the heraldry and decal, to even the marine's weaponry, players are gifted the option to build a lore accurate marine or a completely eccentric creation. It allows the player a form of individualistic expression when fighting alongside their fellow Space Marines against the agents of Chaos, with a different kind of immersion from Space Marine 2's story missions.

Character customization is an underrated aspect in a third-person action shooter. Where a player would expect a role-playing game such as Baldur's Gate 3 or Cyberpunk 2077 to give countless characterization options for the RPG experience, it is a breath of fresh air to see such consideration given to an action-packed, shooter/hack-and-slash game like Space Marine 2. Unfortunately, this consideration only stretches to the Space Marine side, while the Chaos Marines were left largely on the shelf.

Chaos Marines Lack Customization Options In Space Marine 2

They Deserve The Same As The Marines

Unlike their Imperium-devout counterparts, the Chaos Marines are restricted to a class-orientated appearance only, offering little more than color alteration. This seems like a missed opportunity to build on the terrifying and gruesome details the Chaos Marines adorn in their amor choices. It makes them feel more like copied and pasted basic troops rather than the personalized masterpiece of a Space Marine the player can construct for their PvP experience. It can be disappointing for the player to miss out using their individual Space Marine, considering they will be forced into the armies of Chaos about 50% of the time.

It is quite possible Saber Interactive is holding back on the Chaos Marine customization for future DLC. With the popularity of Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2, and its generally very positive critical reception, Saber Interactive will almost certainly capitalize on the game's success and build on aspects that need further exploring. This could include more focus on the Chaos Marines, offering more customization options or perhaps a dedicated story arc. For the moment, players' creative inspiration is saved for the Space Marine Loyalists.