Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine

 PC
User Score
7.5

Generally favorable reviews- based on 708 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 440 out of 708
  2. Mixed: 191 out of 708
  3. Negative: 77 out of 708
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  1. Shackleton
    Sep 7, 2011
    10
    Space Marine does whatever it takes to tear you out of reality and put you in the ceramite plated power armor of its namesake. On top of that, it's a pretty solid game. The classic 40k Space Marine weapons are all there, and they all tear enemies up with industrial efficiency. When things get too close for comfort you can seamlessly transition to melee. Don't expect Arkham Asylum styleSpace Marine does whatever it takes to tear you out of reality and put you in the ceramite plated power armor of its namesake. On top of that, it's a pretty solid game. The classic 40k Space Marine weapons are all there, and they all tear enemies up with industrial efficiency. When things get too close for comfort you can seamlessly transition to melee. Don't expect Arkham Asylum style fluidity, but melee combat is very solid all the same. It needs to be, because the game goes out of its way to throw you into the action. You get health back by stunning opponents and performing melee executions and unlike most other shooters, health does not regenerate (in single player). You get a regenerating shield, but it never feels 100 percent necessary to run away from the action and play hide-behind-the-box until it starts regenerating. Enemies often get thrown at you in massive waves, and it's a great deal of fun to crush them with the punchy and powerful weaponry. Each weapon performs differently, and you will encounter combat situations where survival means being able to juggle amongst each weapon as you adapt to the situation. With all that said, single player is mostly just "good", and rarely breaks through into the realm of "awesome". The game is at its best when massive waves of enemies crash down against you and your fellow Space Marines, while you barely manage to hold your ground. If the single player campaign had been like that all the way through, it would have kept me satisfied. Unfortunately, the game all too often turns into a standard shooter where you're running down a corridor and having to deal with just 3 or 4 enemies at a time. The checkpoint system also could have used a bit of polishing. And the game isn't exactly a visual powerhouse. Graphics look pretty dated, though Space Marine and enemy models do look impressively detailed and weapon effects look flashy. So with all that said, this would be a 7.5 star game, if it wasn't for the fact that multiplayer is incredible. After the horror that was Modern Warfare 2 on PC, I was skeptical that the peer to peer system would play nice with my terrible internet connection. They must have some amazing netcode in this game, because the game is usually silky smooth online. Rarely does it devolve into an unplayable lagfest for me unless the person hosting the game is obviously located in an entirely different country. At the time of this review, you can sign up for a game and get dropped into one in a matter of seconds. It remains to be seen whether or not the community remains strong and hack free. As for the game itself, the controls feel great online and the weapons all feel gloriously overpowered except for maybe a couple of them. Hit detection is very solid. When I die, I usually feel that it's because I made a mistake or my opponent simply outmaneuvered me, not because my latency is messing up the game's mechanics. There is a Call of Duty style rank up system, and the first few levels can be rough for newcomers, but the game lets you steal your killer's loadout every time you die, and that definitely helps alleviate some of the newbie pains. After playing several games, you'll have unlocked some nice things, and it only gets better from there. One of multiplayer's greatest features is the ability to customize each piece of your Space/Chaos Marine's armor, including being able to select from a wide variety of colors. Players end up looking very unique on the battlefield, and I found myself being able to recognize the friends I admired and the enemies I despised solely based on how their characters looked. You unlock more pieces of armor as you complete achievements, and it's fun to play around with what's available to you and come up with something you like. When you're stomping around the battlefield, crushing your enemies in your very own custom tailored power armor...well, few things in life compare. There aren't many maps at the moment, but the few maps that have come with game at release are so solid, that I don't even care. Each has been so carefully crafted and balanced and made just the right size to keep the action flowing at the right pace, there isn't a single time where a map pops up and I cringe because I don't want to play it. As far as I'm concerned, the Space Marine's multiplayer component alone is worthy of a full 10. For the Emperor!… Expand
  2. Rudboy66
    Feb 5, 2012
    10
    I've never rated any game a 10, but I have no problem doing so with this title. I guess it is an accurate rating as if I were to write this game myself I would change nothing. Well only one single thing actually, I would leave it up to the player as to whether or not my Space Marine would be wearing their helmets. They don't during the whole game. :P Other than that, this is a perfectI've never rated any game a 10, but I have no problem doing so with this title. I guess it is an accurate rating as if I were to write this game myself I would change nothing. Well only one single thing actually, I would leave it up to the player as to whether or not my Space Marine would be wearing their helmets. They don't during the whole game. :P Other than that, this is a perfect FPS, better than any other I've played. It is different in combat tactics, the graphics are awesome and the story if great. The whole package is spot on from Games Workshops high standards. I am very familiar with the Space Marine Codex as well as Orks and the 40K premise and story line. To me this game NAILS it all perfectly. Bought it on sale too for $16.99, but it is well worth the full retail cost and then some. Love the visuals as well, they really bring the Warhammer 40K universe to light just the way it is on the books. I haven't even tried the multi player yet, saving that for after the campaign.… Expand
  3. Oniric
    Sep 8, 2011
    10
    Multijoueur tout simplement énorme ! à recommander pour les fans de l'univers et amateurs de TPS beat'em all. Le mode solo sympathique sans être particulièrement révolutionnaire. Avec un mode coop qui arrive début octobre, Relic nous livre ici un excellent jeu qui mérite certainement son lot de suiteMultijoueur tout simplement énorme ! à recommander pour les fans de l'univers et amateurs de TPS beat'em all. Le mode solo sympathique sans être particulièrement révolutionnaire. Avec un mode coop qui arrive début octobre, Relic nous livre ici un excellent jeu qui mérite certainement son lot de suite et d'extension.… Expand
  4. The_VoidX
    Sep 9, 2011
    10
    A great 3rd person action game! The sound design is well done just like the warhammer 40k atmosphere. It makes a lot of fun to fight through the hordes of orks and chaos space marines, only the multiplayer modes would have been more tolerated but it may still make a lot of fun because of the many unlockable items.
  5. Porkenstein
    Sep 6, 2011
    10
    Before you leap into this game, keep two things in mind: YOU CAN MUTE PLAYERS and the campaign gets much better as it progresses.
    Overall, Space Marine is a good game... I'd recommend playing it on Hard mode and with multiplayer customization in mind. While the content is currently kind of limited (only a few multiplayer maps), the character customization and combat options are endless.    Before you leap into this game, keep two things in mind: YOU CAN MUTE PLAYERS and the campaign gets much better as it progresses.
    Overall, Space Marine is a good game... I'd recommend playing it on Hard mode and with multiplayer customization in mind. While the content is currently kind of limited (only a few multiplayer maps), the character customization and combat options are endless. If you're a fan of 40k, it's a must-play. If you're not... well, if you like Third-Person Shooters, Hack-n-Slashers, or Arcades, you'll probably like this game.    … Expand
  6. DivideByNought
    Sep 8, 2011
    10
    I love this game. It feels like being a Space Marine. The world feels like that of War Hammer 40k. True, there are some repetitive bits and, yes, it would be great to fight more Chaos Marines. But the game still feels so right. It's so true to the source material that it's worth a high rating on that alone.
  7. Heaviermetal
    Sep 6, 2011
    10
    I know when a game is good, and its when I have a hard time putting it down. Space Marine is a game that does this for me. The story, locations, music, and action just keep pulling me in.
  8. Soulgraph
    Sep 8, 2011
    10
    W40K: Space Marines is great fun & ork heads give a satisfying bloody "pop" after a few concentrated rounds. Being a big fan of the rts games I wasn't so sure I would really like the game past appreciating the setting & story, thankfully this was not at all the case. This game has a high level of polish rarely seen in pc releases these days & seems more a tip of the hat to long time fansW40K: Space Marines is great fun & ork heads give a satisfying bloody "pop" after a few concentrated rounds. Being a big fan of the rts games I wasn't so sure I would really like the game past appreciating the setting & story, thankfully this was not at all the case. This game has a high level of polish rarely seen in pc releases these days & seems more a tip of the hat to long time fans than a console cash-in with a bad port job. It was a blast playing down on the battlefield & personally I would have rather seen mp left out in favor of more sp content, but now too many games are a 6-7 hour sp campaign with the same damn mp games tacked on.… Expand
  9. Jaez
    Sep 6, 2011
    10
    This game really lets you be a Space Marine, and that's good! Great pacing and a good variety of weapons keep it interesting. Playing it on Hard is really a challenge since you cannot just charge into the fray, stun an enemy then execute kill to heal.. You need to tactically plan your assault (defense) then be mindful on which enemies to execute to heal. Multiplayer-wise, it feels likeThis game really lets you be a Space Marine, and that's good! Great pacing and a good variety of weapons keep it interesting. Playing it on Hard is really a challenge since you cannot just charge into the fray, stun an enemy then execute kill to heal.. You need to tactically plan your assault (defense) then be mindful on which enemies to execute to heal. Multiplayer-wise, it feels like Transformers War for Cybertron without the transforming, which is great and the endless customization options are a great addition to the game. All in all, It's a good game even though I've only familiarized myself with Warhammer 40k lore with the game, Dawn of War 1 and 2. Hoping for more Xenos and mutants to kill on the sequel, hopefully (I'm looking at you, Eldar, Necrons, Tyranids, Tau, Dark Eldar).… Expand
  10. Poebeer
    Nov 27, 2011
    10
    I bought this for the multiplayer - The Multiplayer: In terms of lag, its not laggy at all. (I live in europe) I have had almost no lag exept for once. (Though I still support dedicated servers for all pc games). There are many ppl online. I dont have to wait long to enter a match. you can costumise your appearance and loadout while in lobby witch is nice.
    The guns feel and sound cool. The    I bought this for the multiplayer - The Multiplayer: In terms of lag, its not laggy at all. (I live in europe) I have had almost no lag exept for once. (Though I still support dedicated servers for all pc games). There are many ppl online. I dont have to wait long to enter a match. you can costumise your appearance and loadout while in lobby witch is nice.
    The guns feel and sound cool. The perks are balanced, you can be creative with them! The third person camera is great. The space marine feels mighty in multiplayer.

    I highly reccommend this game to ppl who like MP shooters, but want something new.    … Expand
  11. green_81
    Sep 6, 2011
    10
    Alot better than I expected. The combat system with the range system works as well as I would hope, and there was enough diversity in the weapons that it kept me interested. It gets pretty overwhelming at times with the onslaught of enemies on you, and gets pretty challenging. It is really satisfying when you get the hang of the stunning and destroying the enemy to gain health. I haven'tAlot better than I expected. The combat system with the range system works as well as I would hope, and there was enough diversity in the weapons that it kept me interested. It gets pretty overwhelming at times with the onslaught of enemies on you, and gets pretty challenging. It is really satisfying when you get the hang of the stunning and destroying the enemy to gain health. I haven't played the Multi-player yet, but I have a feeling it's going to be pretty awesome! I like this type hack and slash game, and it's a good break from a stressful week! I recommend it.… Expand
  12. janabimustafa
    Sep 6, 2011
    10
    Adrenalized gun-play, twisting and weaving plot-lines, overwrought character development and a bombardment of on-screen displays, Warhammer 40K Space Marine is a magnificent piece of art.
    Game of the year.
  13. Shamrock
    Sep 6, 2011
    10
    This game frigging rocks!!! I'm totally not a 40K fan boy but the shooting and melee mechanics combined with the violence blood fest is a brutally brilliant combo. This game definitively gives Gear of War 3 a run for its money.
  14. nah8
    Sep 6, 2011
    10
    Game is freaking awesome! MP is a blast, as it's different than the regular FPS MP. This is definitely the sleeper hit of the year as it didn't get the exposure of some of the other games being released. Combat from melee to range is seamless and tonnes of fun hacking at Orks and then blasting them with your bolter.
  15. spychi
    Sep 7, 2011
    10
    This game is a beast,
    the singleplayer just owns, all the 40k variations of weapons needed for true fan to love this game. The action and tension is just great. Storymode makes me wanna say shut up and take my money.
    Even though multiplayer supposed to be just an addition, it's more than that despite what some cry babies from Gears of War say is very balanced, people just need to realize    This game is a beast,
    the singleplayer just owns, all the 40k variations of weapons needed for true fan to love this game. The action and tension is just great. Storymode makes me wanna say shut up and take my money.
    Even though multiplayer supposed to be just an addition, it's more than that despite what some cry babies from Gears of War say is very balanced, people just need to realize there is no COVER system because you are a freaking SPACE MARINE Adeptus Astarties for God Emperor's sake.
    On top of that in 30 days free DLC exterminatus mode, something like LAST STAND from Dawn of War II Co-op... how freaking awesome is that?    … Expand
  16. moomoo
    Sep 7, 2011
    10
    Great game. Weapons feel great, beating enemies to pulp via melee is very satisfying after a long, stressful day, and the environments are stunning. Multiplayer is a lot of fun but unfortunately has only two game modes and a limited number of maps. Hope they'll expand on that via DLC soon.
  17. onomo
    Sep 7, 2011
    10
    Man, someone has to be manipulating the user scores on this game. I played Space Marine and loved it, almost every other written user review is between 8-10, and yet the overall user score is only around 6. That means a whole bunch of people must have given the game a score of 1, which is total nonsense. There's no way anybody in their right mind would vote this game a total failureMan, someone has to be manipulating the user scores on this game. I played Space Marine and loved it, almost every other written user review is between 8-10, and yet the overall user score is only around 6. That means a whole bunch of people must have given the game a score of 1, which is total nonsense. There's no way anybody in their right mind would vote this game a total failure without any redeeming qualities.

    Someone's been registering accounts and just spamming this game with "1" ratings without typing any constructive criticisms about the game.

    Such a shame.    … Expand
  18. beundertaker
    Sep 7, 2011
    10
    I've thoroughly enjoyed the game so far. Played for about 5 hours and I'm loving the campaign. Graphics are crisp and fluid the game runs great on my PC. It's edgy like most of the other games in its genre but doesn't get stale like halo and gears of war garbage. Huge recommendation for someone looking for something different yet still exciting
  19. TheDeinonychus
    Sep 7, 2011
    10
    Excilent game and portrayal of the 40K universe. Combat is brutal, bloody, and on a large scale. Controls are a bit of a pain, but not unplayable. Game still has a few teething issues, exspecialy in multiplayer, but for new releases, that's to be expected. Well worth the buy for 40K fans, action fans, or players just wanting a bloody, violent game to endulge in. Too many comparisons withExcilent game and portrayal of the 40K universe. Combat is brutal, bloody, and on a large scale. Controls are a bit of a pain, but not unplayable. Game still has a few teething issues, exspecialy in multiplayer, but for new releases, that's to be expected. Well worth the buy for 40K fans, action fans, or players just wanting a bloody, violent game to endulge in. Too many comparisons with Gears of War by fans too butt-hurt over this game being better.… Expand
  20. Belly
    Sep 8, 2011
    10
    Great game, awesome action and the real gritty, heavy feel a 40k game should have. Been waiting for something like this for 'many' years, cant believe it's taken so long for it to finally come!
  21. Oberschwenk
    Sep 8, 2011
    10
    This is such an awesome game. I had such a great time playing it. I am not the biggest fan of 3rd person shooters or Warhammer 40k, but still had great fun. Good job Relic.
  22. AlossForWords
    Sep 8, 2011
    10
    Not mad about this game, just wish there was more offered. It seems like everything was created for someone who wasn't familiar with 40k, but sometimes developers forget that the 40k audience is going to be their greatest consumer anyways! This game has great bits to it, but also suffers from mediocrity. The action in the single player was great. But pacing seemed to be somewhat of aNot mad about this game, just wish there was more offered. It seems like everything was created for someone who wasn't familiar with 40k, but sometimes developers forget that the 40k audience is going to be their greatest consumer anyways! This game has great bits to it, but also suffers from mediocrity. The action in the single player was great. But pacing seemed to be somewhat of a problem on two aspects. The only thing that spiced up combat was when you acquired a new weapon. This happened at a consistent rate throughout the campaign, but it never made up for a lot of the monotony of combat. You might have to turn on a machine here or there, but there is no combat scenario that is really interesting or challenging. There aren't many different enemies between the orkz and chaos, and there is never really any sense of desperation or urgency in combat. Fight. Kill. Rinse. Repeat. Another pacing problem seemed to be with the story, I feel as if too little happened for too long. You never traveled to other planets, you essentially had one goal in the game, you stay on the same planet doing menial tasks to accomplish a slightly more important goal which will eventually lead you to your main goal, which in the sense of the whole Warhammer 40k universe, seemed extremely unimportant. The combat style is very similar to Gears of War - the only difference however is that GOW created interesting scenarios with combat instead of throwing wave after wave of enemies at you. The executions are a nice touch to the combat system, but are certainly not enough to make up for the lulls in the combat. The multiplayer is a fresh breath of air, nothing too special here, but definitely something to keep your attention until another 40k game comes out or just any other top-tier multiplayer game like MW3 or BF3. It adds a new perspective to the 40k universe which is really nice. I think it would have been awesome to add more races to the game, at least in multiplayer. the Tau, Necrons, playable Orkz or the Eldar would've made for some very fun multiplayer possibilities. All in all - I'm not mad that I bought it, just wished it was a more in depth 40k game… Expand
  23. sote
    Sep 10, 2011
    10
    Love it! Warhammer 40,000K world in a third person shooter. Game flows nicely and is really fun to play. The guns are great and the melee is insane. A lot of work was put in to this game and the end product is amazing.
  24. Leader2light
    Sep 11, 2011
    10
    Adrenalized gun-play, twisting and weaving plot-lines, overwrought character development and a bombardment of on-screen displays, Warhammer 40K Space Marine is a magnificent piece of art. Game of the year.
  25. Kingtiger
    Sep 12, 2011
    10
    Warhammer 40,000 Space Marine is a fantastic game. I honestly didnâ
  26. murtle52
    Feb 20, 2012
    10
    THQ deserves to keep the Warhammer 40k ip.
    The big question I always ask myself when I play a video game adaptation of something is "do I feel like".
    Lately alot of comic and movie adaptations seem to fail at this quite frequently (go play Thor or Green Lantern and get back to me) and in the past alot of great i.p's or franchises have been butchered in the video game department. Not since    THQ deserves to keep the Warhammer 40k ip.
    The big question I always ask myself when I play a video game adaptation of something is "do I feel like".
    Lately alot of comic and movie adaptations seem to fail at this quite frequently (go play Thor or Green Lantern and get back to me) and in the past alot of great i.p's or franchises have been butchered in the video game department.
    Not since Arkum Asylum have I felt so much like the central character , and been so immersed in a familiar world. So in answer to the question in my opening statement...
    I FEEL LIKE A SPACE MARINE WHEN I PLAY THIS GAME!
    Wading into a horde of orcs with chainsword in one hand bolter in the other, I loved the seemless switching between mele and ranged combat. Controls are amazing , the single player is a work of art, and the multi-player is a blast and the co-op is some of the best I've ever played! Only thing missing is dedicated servers. DLC has proven worth it for me too with the Dreadnaught mode in MP and the Chaos Unleashed pack was a nice change up for co-op, slaughtering thousands of guardsmen instead of orcs (in most cases both at once) playing as Chaos.
    Space Marine was just what WH40K needed in the video game department and THQ has come through again.    … Expand
  27. elgringo
    Sep 15, 2011
    10
    Whilst the RTS games of Relic Entertainement are brilliant I have to admit that Space Marine is a rather mediocre 3rd person shooter. Real depth and immersion never builds up, the story can be predicted and the rushing in waves of enemies get tedious. The animations don't look smooth and the small boss fights are ridiculously easy. Whilst I'm not a fan over cover systems in general thisWhilst the RTS games of Relic Entertainement are brilliant I have to admit that Space Marine is a rather mediocre 3rd person shooter. Real depth and immersion never builds up, the story can be predicted and the rushing in waves of enemies get tedious. The animations don't look smooth and the small boss fights are ridiculously easy. Whilst I'm not a fan over cover systems in general this game could need one. The planet or environment in which you fight as well as the textures lack detail and the the mindless fighting gets boring fast. Being a fan of numerous other shooters I have to say Relic better continues their great work on the RTS sector of the Wh40k franchise.… Expand
  28. KillerAlfa
    Sep 18, 2011
    10
    Game is nearly ideal! MP is a blast, as it's different than the regular FPS MP. This is definitely the sleeper hit of the year as it didn't get the exposure of some of the other games being released. Combat from melee to range is seamless and tonnes of fun hacking at Orks and then blasting them with your bolter.
  29. Celty
    Sep 19, 2011
    10
    The single player is on the short side but I liked the variety of weapons and situations the game put me in. I liked the way the game made me use both melee and ranged weapons and by the end of the game I felt very powerful. Overall it was not a long game but the main point is that I had a lot of fun while playing.

    The multiplayer, on PC, is only as good as the host computer. Without    The single player is on the short side but I liked the variety of weapons and situations the game put me in. I liked the way the game made me use both melee and ranged weapons and by the end of the game I felt very powerful. Overall it was not a long game but the main point is that I had a lot of fun while playing.

    The multiplayer, on PC, is only as good as the host computer. Without dedicated servers some hosts are very poor. The good thing is that I get matched up quickly and i get good hosts most of the time. Time flies when I play this game and that has not happened for a while.    … Expand
  30. mariooz
    Sep 24, 2011
    10
    GOOOOd GAAAME!!! The combat system with the range system works as well as I would hope, and there was enough diversity in the weapons that it kept me interested. Overall, Space Marine is a good game...
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Awards & Rankings

91
#91 Best PC Game of 2011
32
#32 Most Discussed PC Game of 2011
79
#79 Most Shared PC Game of 2011

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
74

Mixed or average reviews - based on 34 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 20 out of 34
  2. Mixed: 14 out of 34
  3. Negative: 0 out of 34
  1. PC PowerPlay
    Oct 31, 2011
    70
    The campaign requires an interest in 40K, while the basic multiplayer modes are fun for all. [Dec 2011, p.67]
  2. LEVEL (Czech Republic)
    Oct 30, 2011
    60
    The only thing rising Space Marine from the grey pool of mediocrity is world of Warhammer 40.000 itself. Rich story background deserved more than a linear hack'n'slash game. [Oct 2011]
  3. PC Games (Russia)
    Oct 27, 2011
    75
    A solid debut in action genre for Relic and a must-buy for any Warhammer 40k fan. [Nov. 2011, p.61]
See all critic reviews »