GamesThird Person ShooterWarhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2While everyone is busy killing Tyranids in Space Marine 2, I’m bringing the stink as Nurgle’s number one Bulwark in PVPWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
GamesThird Person ShooterWarhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2While everyone is busy killing Tyranids in Space Marine 2, I’m bringing the stink as Nurgle’s number one Bulwark in PVPWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: Focus Entertainment)
Class of its own
(Image credit: Focus Entertainment)
Each of the sixSpace Marine 2 classeshas just one ability and maybe a unique weapon or quirk to make it more specialized – Bulwarks forgo a primary weapon to make room for their shield, while the Heavy resorts to bashing foes with their colossal gun and doesn’t need a chainsword, for example. I thought being locked to using just a pistol as a Bulwark would put me at a massive disadvantage compared to the all-rounder power of the Tactical class with its myriad primary weapons, but even a standard Bolt Pistol packs a punch.
(Image credit: Focus Entertainment)
Eternal War’s simplicity is one of its greatest strengths, making it a highly accessible shooter where it doesn’t feel like you need a master’s degree to comprehend what’s going on. I’ve played many hours of Apex Legends, Overwatch, Fortnite and others of their ilk, and while they offer some supremely fun and competitive experiences, it’s nice to just cut out the complexity, and stomp about as a massive space marine.
It reminds me of the arena shooters I grew up on, like Halo 3 and Reach, and the original Call of Duty: Modern Warfare trilogy – a simpler time, when my heart rate didn’t spike every time I saw an enemy player, or my hands weren’t always on the verge of cramping from all the finger gymnastics required to use the right abilities.
Veterans of the Long War
(Image credit: Focus Entertainment)
But, despite the fun I’m having in these scrappy arena battles in the 41st millennium, I can’t help but wonder how the PVP side of Space Marine 2 will be received once the grimdark honeymoon period is over. I’ve lauded Eternal War for the beauty in its simplicity, but when looking at the last decade of online games, which has seen the multiplayer shooter space get increasingly more competitive and complex, that simplicity is a double-edged chainsword.
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Currently, Eternal War has only three arena maps and three modes, which is a paltry offering that I fear will quickly turn players away. While the three modes are fun enough, they stick to incredibly familiar formats (team deathmatch, a Call-of-Duty-style Domination mode, and a Halo-style King of the Hill mode) that I picked up within seconds of loading into a match. I wish there were objectives that were a bit more inventive and leaned into the setting, rather than just, “you see that highlighted zone? Stand in it.”
(Image credit: Focus Entertainment)
If you want to dive into Eternal War, make sure you knowhow to unlock Space Marine 2 multiplayerand party up with your fellow console pals viaSpace Marine 2 crossplay.
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GAME REVIEWSMOVIE REVIEWSTV REVIEWS
1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”
1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”
1
Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”
2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package”
2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package”
2
Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package”
3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure”
3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure”
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Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure”
4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years”
4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years”
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Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years”
5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths”
5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths”
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Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths”
1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show”
1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show”
1
Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show”
2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie”
2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie”
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3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action”
3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action”
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Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action”
4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien”
4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien”
4
The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien”
5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite”
5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite”
5
Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite”
1Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat”
1Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat”
1
Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat”
2Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses”
2Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses”
2
Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses”
3Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist”
3Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist”
3
Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist”
4Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”
4Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”
4
Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”
5Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place”
5Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place”
5
Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place”