Review: Warhammer 40K: Space Navy 2

Then Warhammer 40,000: Space Navy in 2011, it soon became a cult classic. The brutal violence, the gravity of the Space Marines and the smooth mix of melee and action gave players a unique experience. Thirteen years later, Relic Entertainment and Saber Interactive finally bring the sequel, and let's be clear: Space Navy 2 exceeds high expectations.

The power of the Adeptus Astartes

In the role of Lieutenant Titus you return to the front lines. This time humanity faces the Tyranids, an alien plague that devours everything on its path. The game perfectly captures the essence of Warhammer 40K: a universe in which humanity hardly plays a role, and everything pertains to survival through brutal force and endless war.

The campaign puts you in the middle of epic battles. Thousands of enemies flood your screen, but thanks to the technical power of the engine everything keeps running smoothly. Every fight feels massive, threatening and spectacular.

Violence that feels good

The greatest strength of Space Navy 2 is in gameplay. The combat system is a seamless combination of heavy melee and tactical shooting. With a chainword, you swarm Tyranids, then mow down the survivors with your boulder. The impact of each attack is felt – You're a Space Navy, and that translates into the way you move, attack, and rush through hordes.

The pace is high, but never chaotic. You are constantly challenged to switch smartly between melee and ranged combat. This keeps the gameplay fresh, even after tens of hours.

A universe that lives and breathes

Graphic Space Navy 2 Impressive. The Gothic architecture of the HIV cities, the grim battlefields and the gigantic sci-fi landscapes have all been worked out in detail. Clearly, the developers have a deep love for the source material. Fans will enjoy the countless little details, from the iconic weapons to the gloomy songs that sound in the background.

The soundtrack and voice-acting add to that. The music reinforces the epic tone of the battles, while the voices of the Space Marines perfectly reflect the arrogance, discipline and fanatical devotion that belong to them.

Together stronger

New in Space Navy 2 is the co-op mode. Together with friends fighting the endless swarms of Tyranids takes the experience to a higher level. Where the single player is already great and intense, the chaos really comes to life when you fight as a team. Itöalso ensures extra replayability.

Critical note

Is Space Navy 2 Perfect? Not quite. Some missions may feel a bit repetitive, especially when you have to plow enemies again through waves. Nor is the AI of allies always as sharp. Yet these are small things compared to the total experience.