It was recently announced that Space Marine 2 will be getting a full sequel. Even though I wouldn't say I'm fully done with Space Marine 2 just yet, the prospect of Space Marine 3 is still exciting. The Warhammer 40,000 universe has a lot of potential for exploring interesting worlds and narratives, and I can't wait to see what they do for the next game. While I know exactly what I'd like to see in the next game, I'm not entirely sure if it's a realistic possibility based on what has been said about the game so far.

While Warhammer 40,000 is a fictional setting with a lot of potential, the major games in the franchise tend to focus heavily on the Imperium of Man, and I can understand why. The Imperium may be zealots and fascists, but they are still probably the most relatable faction in Warhammer 40,000 by the virtue of them being human. Still, I can't help but wish that Space Marine 3 could branch out, at least a little bit, from focusing so heavily on the Imperium and their stories.

Space Marine 3 Should Focus On A New Style Of Marine

Space Marine 3 Should Feature Chaos Space Marines With Special Powers

Now, to say there are no Warhammer 40K games that focus on factions besides the Imperium isn't true; it's basically impossible given the sheer number of them. However, while games like Warhammer 40,000: Rites of War followed other factions, big AAA affairs like Space Marine 2 and Warhammer 40,000: Darktide have stuck with the Imperium. Even when a game like Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War 2 includes other playable factions, the story mode is still typically dedicated to the Imperial ones. Space Marine 2 could break this mold by focusing on a new type of Space Marine.

Chaos Space Marines are traitors to the Imperium that worship the Chaos Gods. These factions often have unique appearances and abilities, such as the Thousand Sons' psyker powers or the Death Guard, who spread rot and decay with the help of their patron god Nurgle. Focusing on a Chaos Space Marine faction for Space Marine 3 would allow the game to tread new ground that wasn't possible to explore in Space Marine 2 due to its focus on the loyalist Ultramarines.

Space Marine 2 Has Already Tackled Most Things Space Marines Can Do

Space Marine 3 Doesn't Have Much New Ground To Tread For Space Marine Abilities

Space Marine 2 is essentially the perfect game for playing a Space Marine. It is comprehensive in capturing the abilities and weapon builds of Space Marines, from standard fare like Boltguns to more specialized equipment like Jump Packs and Power Swords. The game is so thorough in its exploration of what a Space Marine is capable of, it's hard to imagine what Space Marine 3 could really add to make it much better.

Now, yes, there are still some iconic Warhammer 40,000 weapons that have yet to appear in Space Marine 2. As a Salamanders player, I have noted the lack of Heavy Flamer in the game, and I'm just as disappointed about it as anyone else. Still, the idea of getting an entirely new Space Marine game just to add a few weapons that are missing from Space Marine 2's arsenal feels like a waste to me. If we're getting an entirely new (likely full-priced) game, I would want to see it go in a completely new direction in of mechanics.

Focusing on Chaos Space Marines would allow Space Marine 3 to introduce new combat abilities like psyker powers. This could allow for some interesting new mechanics and fun team compositions if Space Marine 3 allowed players to choose from multiple Chaos chapters. Even if Space Marine 3 decides to stick with the Imperium, it would be nice to have a playable Grey Knight character that would allow us to use new powers. Still, I think Chaos Space Marines have more potential, both mechanically and narratively.

Chaos Space Marines Would Allow For A Brand New Type Of Story

A Chaos Story Could Focus On A New Setting In The Universe

Space Marine 2 did a good job showing off the unique culture of the Imperium of Man through Titus' story, and I would love to see Space Marine 2 do the same for a Chaos chapter of Space Marines. Learning more about Chaos from an internal perspective would also play up one of my favorite aspects of Warhammer 40K, which is getting to play the villain. As there are no virtuous factions in Warhammer 40K, you basically get to choose your flavor of evil, and Chaos has always been one of the most exciting options.

Focusing on Chaos Space Marines could also open up the series to explore some new enemies. Instead of pitting Chaos Marines against the Imperium, we could get a game that focuses on a conflict between them and another faction like the T'au. Similar to how the Imperium of Man feels more relatable than the Tyranids, Chaos Space Marines would feel more human than Necrons. However, as much as I'd like to see this type of game, it doesn't seem to be the plan as of now.

This Doesn't Seem Like The Type Of Change Coming In Space Marine 3

Space Marine 3 Will Likely Still Focus On Titus

The easiest indication that Space Marine 3 won't have us playing as Chaos Space Marines is the ending of Space Marine 2. It seems pretty clear from the game's cliffhanger ending that Titus' story isn't over just yet. While it would be an excellent plot twist to reveal that the reason Titus is resistant to the Warp is that he is secretly a Chaos sleeper agent, I don't see that being very likely. There is possibly the potential that Titus could be corrupted by Chaos in the game, but based on comments about Space Marine 3, I don't think it's likely.

It has already been announced that Space Marine 3 will feature larger-scale battles than Space Marine 2. With this being a major focus for the development team, it seems unlikely that they would want to also redevelop the basic gameplay around playing as a Chaos Space Marine. It seems more likely that we will be sticking with Titus and the Ultramarines, allowing the devs to focus more on ramping up the scale of the game's conflicts. While I'm not exactly disappointed that Space Marine 3 will have massive battles, I still think I'd rather more novel combat mechanics.