Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 dives into the dark and intense world of Warhammer 40k, a distant future filled with endless battles and strong religious beliefs. Players take on the role of a Space Marine, a powerful super-soldier created to protect the Imperium of Man. This large and crumbling human empire is constantly under attack from alien threats and internal decay. As a Space Marine, the player's job is to defend humanity against the invading forces of the Tyranids and other dangerous enemies.

While the Warhammer 40k fanbase is large, it can be intimidating to get into. So, many people haven't yet tried to get into the lore of what the universe is about. However, the new Space Marine game has plenty of obvious appeal, begging the question of whether learning about a massive universe is necessary to enjoy the game, or if it's possible to get away with just knowing a few facts about it all.

Space Marine 2 Is Connected to Warhammer 40K's Universe

Space Marine 2 Is Part of Warhammer 40,000

Space Marine 2 is a game that’s easy to get into, even if you’re not familiar with the Warhammer 40,000 universe. However, its foundation is deeply tied to that universe's complex story. Players aren’t just blasting their way through a regular sci-fi shooter; they are stepping into a narrative about the Imperium of Man, a huge and oppressive human empire fighting for survival against terrifying enemies.

Right from the start, Space Marine 2 thrusts players into this harsh reality, with the Ultramarines — a famous group of Space Marines — representing this fight, wearing their distinctive blue and gold armor and showing strong loyalty to the Emperor, who symbolizes humanity’s last hope. The game isn't concerned with teaching the universe and assumes players at least know that much of the lore. So, it's not difficult to find spots where the developers assume a certain level of knowledge.

The game’s graphics and combat reflect this brutal world. The constant presence of war and the harshness of the battles are central to the gameplay. Every encounter with enemies like the Tyranids emphasizes that “there is only war” in this grim future, where victories are hard-earned and come at a cost. Space Marine 2 embraces intense action and graphic violence, immersing players in continuous battles.

There’s a lot of complex lore behind the Warhammer universe, and hours reading books and manuals still wouldn't provide a comprehensive overview. For Space Marine 2, however, the overall story is meant for newcomers and proves easy to understand. It's designed so that anyone can grasp the main themes and ideas of Warhammer 40,000 through playing the game and how the story is presented in the setting. This makes it simple for people to get the basics of this dark and unique world.

Why Space Marine 2 Can Be Played Without Knowing Warhammer Lore

You Don't Have To Know More Than Surface Level Basics, Really

Space Marine 2 isn’t just for hardcore fans of Warhammer 40,000; it’s designed to be fun for players of any background. The main attraction of the game is its exciting and satisfying combat. From the moment the game starts, it leaps into fast-paced battles, where the protagonist, Captain Titus, can take down waves of enemies with a variety of cool weapons like bolters and chainswords.

It's not required, but playing the original Space Marine game sets up a good feel for what the sequel brings. It's similar to Gears of War except without as much exposition. It's more satisfying to play with knowledge of the Warhammer universe at large, but Space Marine 2 won't leave anyone simply looking for a fun time cutting through aliens and destroying enemies feeling lost. This isn't to say that the game is mindless, just that it doesn't require any homework before playing.

For those who are interested in knowing enough to play the game, it's a good idea to know when Space Marine 2 takes place in the lore. Learning about how the human empire operates is also a good idea. With those essentials in place, it's possible to at least go into the game with enough basic knowledge to avoid feeling lost.

Why Knowing Warhammer Lore Can Be Helpful In Space Marine 2

It's A Good Idea To Learn The Lore

While knowing a lot about Warhammer 40,000 isn't necessary to enjoy the action in Space Marine 2, understanding some of the story can improve the experience and make it easier to appreciate what’s happening in the game. For example, knowing why the Imperium of Man fights so hard can give more meaning to the role of an Ultramarine. It provides a context for the fierce battles against alien threats and why the Imperium zealously defends itself, as well as the darker layers of criticism leveled against all factions, including the Imperium of Man.

Familiarity with the Tyranids and Chaos also makes the enemies feel more real and frightening rather than just generic foes. Recognizing the Tyranids as a relentless hive-mind species or Chaos as a corrupting force within humanity adds depth to the game's intense battles and helps you understand the struggles in the Warhammer universe. These should feel threatening, not like mindless zombies. However, without more context, it would be easy to blow through them without a second thought.

Those looking to get started with Warhammer can check out starter sets for the tabletop game or Black Library books like the Eisenhorn trilogy.

There's different kinds of Marines in Warhammer 40k. Playing as an Ultramarine, one of the most respected Space Marine branches, gains more significance when you have a basic grasp of their story. Knowing what makes weapons like bolters and chainswords iconic and understanding the importance of the Astartes armor makes the experience more engaging. There's so much sprinkled into the game that can only be understood through the lore but proves easy to love after doing a bit of research.

References to specific chapters or characters can seem like just background details to those unfamiliar, but they become meaningful connections for players who know the lore. While these elements aren’t necessary for gameplay, they create a richer, more rewarding experience for those who recognize their significance. In the end, while anyone can enjoy Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 without deep lore knowledge, understanding the Warhammer 40K background opens up a greater appreciation of the game’s story and battles.