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Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine Multiplayer Preview for Xbox 360

Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine Multiplayer Preview for Xbox 360

Multiplayer Marines

Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine has a promising single-player campaign. With an interesting far-future story, plenty of deep lore for the Warhammer fans, and tons of action-packed gameplay, this will be one of this fall’s more memorable sci-fi titles. However, in addition to the game’s six-to-nine hour campaign mode, the game will also feature an expansive multiplayer mode that pits marine against marine in brutal 8-on-8 matches. We recently got a chance to test-drive the multiplayer mode in Space Marine, and for the most part, we came away impressed.

Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine Screenshot

For most intents and purposes, Space Marine’s multiplayer is a lot like what you’ve seen before. You play as a nameless Space Marine who either fights on the side of good or the side of Chaos. When we started up the match, we were immediately taken to a deep customization area where we had access to tons of different armor, emblems, and accessories. You can store several armor presets for both regular marines and Chaos marines, and while you won’t have too much overlap—we still have to be able to tell good guys from bad guys—you can really pull out all the stops in terms of customization. While I tried to go with a traditional black and white look for my guy, one of the people playing with me went all-out with a sassy hot pink number on their space marine. Of course, that made that player that much more of a target. But hey, I’m not one to judge.

Once we were done customizing our look, we were able to get a taste of the loadouts. The loadouts come in two varieties: weapon-based perks and character enhancements. As you progress in the multiplayer game, you’ll get access to better customizations, perks, and even weapons. Once we were able to get everything unlocked, the amount of loudouts we saw was pretty impressive. Sticking with the multiplayer in Space Marine will definitely be a rewarding experience, which is certainly encouraging. And with a level cap of 41, players will have plenty of work to do before getting access to all of Space Marines’ goodies.

Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine Screenshot

Less encouraging, though, is the format of the multiplayer. We were only able to play through two different modes: Annihilation and Seize Ground. The first was basically a team deathmatch mode that awarded points for kills and awarded victory to the first team that reached a specific point threshold. Seize Ground, on the other hand, challenges you to capture and defend specific points on the map. (Think King of the Hill). Both of these modes were fun to play through, but I can’t help but hope that there will be a little bit more mode variety in the future.

Though I wasn’t initially impressed by the mode variety, I have to admit that the actual gameplay is quite fun. No matter what side you’re on, you can play as three different marine classes: assault, tactical, and devastator. Assault class is the most balanced of the three classes, allowing you to use the game’s signature Chainsword in up-close melee combat and fly around using short-burst jetpacks. The tactical class is more of a weapons-based class, and gives you access to the most weapons. And, as you might expect, the devastator class is the heavy-weapons class that allows you to plant yourself in the middle of the action using your gun as a turret.

Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine Screenshot

The class system and expansive loadouts look like they will give Space Marine most of its staying power. What we’ve seen of the actual modes seems pretty generic, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but could make this less of an appealing multiplayer choice when compared with this fall’s other big games. Still, if you are planning to jump headlong into Space Marine’s stellar single-player mode, the multiplayer component will be a nice addition to the package.

Game Features:

  • In Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine, you are Captain Titus of the Ultramarines, humanity’s last hope for survival in a war-ridden future.
  • Step into the armor of this superhuman warrior and use a lethal combination of deadly weapons to crush overwhelming alien forces..
  • Fight against the savage Orks and the unholy forces of Chaos in a brutally violent world based on the richest science fiction fantasy ever created.


  • Gears of Warhammer….Sort of

    We recently got a chance to go hands-on with Warhammer: 40,000: Space Marine, the third-person shooter based around the Warhammer 40K table-top universe. However, before we could put thumbs to joystick, we were treated to a presentation by Raphael van Lierop, the game’s director. In this presentation, we were introduced to Warhammer lore and basically given a “101”-style course about the development of the game and the universe in which it is set. However, what struck me most about the presentation was how directly similarities to the Gears of War series were addressed. Being a complete newbie to the Warhammer franchise, I didn’t really understand why this comparison was even being made. However, with a “this is not Gears” mindset, I sat down and started playing.

    Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine Screenshot

    And then it happened. I had my first “Hey! This is like Gears!” moment. Was it because of the non-suggestion from the presentation before? Perhaps. But either way, it can’t be denied that comparisons between these two games will be inevitable, so let’s get the similarities out of the way straight away: both games feature a larger-than-life hulk of a hero. Both games feature a strong melee weapon that is part-chainsaw. The games even have a similar setting to them. However, once you get past these overt likenesses, Space Marine emerges as its own game with unique mechanics and its own style.

    We were able to play through four different scenarios in the game, showcasing the game’s weapons and play style. I wish I could tell you something about the story, but unfortunately the four scenarios we played through were all from different parts of the game, and were purposely strung together out of order to keep us in the dark about the game’s plot. However, what they did reveal was a lot about what you’ll be fighting, and how.

    Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine Screenshot

    In the beginning of the game, your main enemy will be legions of Orks of varying sizes that are equipped with plenty of firepower. One of the biggest themes of Space Marine is incessant action, and the game encourages you to run headlong into firefights. There’s no cover system, and most environments don’t allow for backtracking, so your best bet it to forge ahead, keep your fingers steady on the fire button, and use a special ability that allows you to slow down time and get precise hits on the enemy.

    Space Marine also has a killer melee system you can use which features a chainsaw saber that can clear enemies extremely quickly. Knowing when to switch between guns and melee weapons will be vital to your success, and though you won’t see any of the hardcore strategy you might have come to expect from other Warhammer games, you will have to enter firefights with a plan if you want to succeed.

    Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine Screenshot

    Though most of the battles we encountered were with Orks, we did get an extremely brief glance at the game’s “Big Bad”: the Forces of Chaos. These enemies are wholly unique, fast-moving, and most importantly, hard to kill. It’s worth noting that their design is also quite creepy as well. We literally know nothing about these enemies, other than they are quite the force in-game, and will provide the biggest challenge yet for our heroes.

    But no matter what enemy we were facing, gameplay in Space Marine felt extremely seamless. We were able to try a handful of weapons, and while some of them felt very familiar, they were all easy to use and helped us get from checkpoint to checkpoint. What we saw of the gameplay was very linear so we didn’t get to explore too much, and firefights flowed in to one another, making for an action-packed experience.

    From what we’ve seen, Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine is coming along nicely. Though it certainly follows plenty of genre conventions when it comes to third-person shooters, the game ups the ante in terms of action, and the lack of a cover system is certainly an interesting choice that raises the stakes when you are fighting wave after wave of enemies. Though we don’t have a firm release date for Space Marine, it is projected to arrive in stores sometime later this year.

    Game Features:

  • Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine takes console gamers into a savage universe where humanity fights for survival against horrific alien and demonic forces.
  • The player becomes the ultimate defender of humanity – a mighty Space Marine – sent to stop the brutal Ork invasion of a vital Forge World.
  • As the barbaric Orks rip the planet apart, it’s up to you and your battle-hardened squad of Space Marines to cut a bloody path through the Ork horde and discover what they’re so eager to find.
  • In Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine, award-winning video game developer Relic Entertainment will bring the epic Warhammer 40,000 universe to life like never before in a dark and compelling action RPG.

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