Games

Space Marine 2 Roadmap: The Ultimate Guide to Warhammer 40k’s Most Anticipated Release

Key Takeaways: Release Date, Free Updates, New Modes, Missions, Enemies, Weapons, Battle Barge Expansion, Horde Mode

Prepare for war, battle-brothers! The Emperor’s finest are about to embark on a new crusade, and the Space Marine 2 roadmap promises an epic saga worthy of the Adeptus Astartes. Brace yourselves for a journey into the grim darkness of the far future as we unveil the sacred texts that foretell our upcoming mission.

Want to learn more about Space Marine 2? Read our full overview!

The Emperor’s Finest Return: Space Marine 2 Launch and Beyond

The wait is almost over, battle-brothers and sisters! Space Marine 2 is set to launch on September 9th, 2024, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC. But that’s just the beginning of our crusade against the enemies of mankind. Saber Interactive has unveiled an extensive post-launch roadmap that promises to keep us engaged in the Emperor’s work for months to come.

I’ve been counting down the days, polishing my power armor (figuratively speaking, of course), and I can hardly contain my excitement. The original Space Marine game left us hanging for over a decade, and now we’re not just getting a sequel, but a full-fledged, evolving experience.

It’s like Games Workshop has opened up a whole new front in the eternal war for the galaxy, and we’re all invited to join the fray.

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Season 1 – The Initial Assault (September 2024)

Right out of the gate, Space Marine 2 is hitting hard with its Season 1 content. Here’s what we can expect in the first month:

Battle Barge Sparring Arena: Hone your skills in this new training ground. I’m envisioning a dynamic environment where we can practice our combat maneuvers against holographic enemies or even fellow Space Marines. It could be an excellent way to test out different loadouts and tactics before diving into the main campaign or multiplayer battles.
Private PvE lobbies: Team up with your battle-brothers in exclusive sessions. This feature excites me because it opens up possibilities for coordinated team strategies. Imagine setting up a private game with your friends, each taking on a specific role – perhaps one as a heavy weapons specialist, another as a close combat expert, and a third providing tactical support. It’s like bringing the tabletop experience of carefully crafted army lists into the digital realm.
Ultra-wide support: For those with a more panoramic view of the battlefield. As someone who’s invested in a wide-screen monitor, this is music to my ears. The vast, gothic landscapes of the 41st millennium deserve to be seen in all their glory. I’m hoping this will give us a tactical advantage too, allowing us to spot incoming threats from the periphery.

As a long-time hobbyist, I’m particularly excited about the Battle Barge Sparring Arena. It reminds me of the countless hours I’ve spent setting up terrain for tabletop battles. Now, we get to experience that in a fully realized 3D environment! I’m hoping we’ll see some customization options here – perhaps we could set up our own obstacle courses or simulate different planetary conditions?

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Pre-Order Bonuses and Special Editions

For those who’ve shown their dedication to the Emperor by pre-ordering, you’ll be rewarded with the Macragge’s Chosen DLC. This includes unique appearances for the Chainsword and Bolt Rifle, as well as a special right Pauldron. You’ll unlock these after completing the “Skyfire” campaign mission.

Gold and Ultra Edition owners will have access to the Season Pass, offering a series of chapter-specific cosmetic items. The Ultra Edition goes even further, granting access to the Ultramarines Champions Pack – a unique, detailed full armor set for the Heavy class, complete with its own Heavy Bolter.

As someone who’s spent countless hours painting Ultramarines, I’m particularly excited about the Champions Pack. I’m hoping the level of detail matches what we see on the tabletop – perhaps we’ll even see some nods to famous Ultramarines heroes in the designs?

The Heavy Bolter is an iconic weapon in 40k lore, and I’m eager to see how it’s been realized in-game. Will it have the satisfying, room-shaking boom we’ve always imagined when reading the novels?

Get the full checkout of the game with our Space Marine 2 Review

Season 2 – The Crusade Intensifies (October – December 2024)

As we push forward into the end of 2024, Season 2 brings a host of new content to challenge even the most seasoned Space Marines:

New PvE missions: Fresh objectives to test your tactical acumen. I’m hoping for some variety here – perhaps escort missions protecting Imperial dignitaries, or sabotage operations against enemy installations. It would be great to see missions that require more than just brute force, really showcasing the strategic minds of the Adeptus Astartes.
A new enemy faction: Another xenos threat to purge in the name of the Emperor. Could we be seeing the introduction of the insidious Necrons, or perhaps the cunning Eldar? Each would bring unique challenges – the Necrons with their advanced technology and self-repairing bodies, the Eldar with their speed and psychic abilities. Whatever the choice, it’s sure to shake up our tactics.
Neo-Volkite pistol: Expand your arsenal with this powerful new sidearm. The Volkite weapons are a fascinating part of 40k lore, remnants of humanity’s technological peak. I’m curious to see how they balance this weapon – will it be a rare, powerful option that requires careful ammo management, or a more common sidearm that gives us a taste of humanity’s lost golden age?
Lethal difficulty setting: For those who seek to prove themselves truly worthy. As a veteran of many tabletop campaigns, I’m looking forward to this challenge. Will it simply increase enemy damage and health, or will we see smarter AI and more complex enemy formations? I’m hoping for the latter, really making us feel like we’re up against the deadliest foes the galaxy can throw at us.

The addition of a new enemy faction has me particularly intrigued. As someone who’s painted countless miniatures over the years, I’m eager to see how these new foes are designed and how they’ll challenge our combat strategies. Will we need to adapt our loadouts specifically to counter their strengths? This could add a whole new layer of strategic depth to the game.

Get ahead and learn the classes now with our Space Marine 2 Classes Guide

Season Pass Perks – Dark Angels Arise

Season Pass holders will be treated to an array of Dark Angels-themed cosmetics:

Color schemes and heraldry: Deck out your Space Marine in the iconic green of the First Legion. I’m hoping we’ll see not just the standard green, but also the bone-white of the Deathwing and the deep black of the Ravenwing. It would be fantastic if we could mix and match these elements to create our own unique Dark Angels-inspired look.
Weapon skin: Give your bolter that Dark Angels flair. The Dark Angels are known for their ancient and ornate weaponry, so I’m expecting to see lots of gilding, purity seals, and maybe even some mysterious runes hinting at their secretive nature.
Champion skin: A unique full armor set for the Bulwark class. This has me really excited. Will we see elements of Terminator armor, reflecting the Dark Angels’ elite Deathwing? Or perhaps something inspired by the cloaked appearance of their leaders, mixing elements of monastic robes with power armor?

As a collector who’s amassed quite a few Dark Angels models over the years, I’m thrilled to see this legendary chapter getting some love in Space Marine 2. The Dark Angels have such a rich and mysterious lore, and I’m hoping some of that comes through in the designs. Maybe we’ll even see some hints at their hidden secrets in the details of the armor?

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Season 3 – The Battle Barge Beckons (Early 2025)

As we march into the new year, Season 3 promises to be a game-changer:

New PvE mission: Another chance to prove your worth to the Chapter. I’m hoping this mission might tie into the Battle Barge expansion, perhaps having us defend our mobile fortress monastery from a boarding action? It could be a thrilling change of pace, fighting through the claustrophobic corridors of a starship rather than the open battlefields we’re used to.
New PvP game mode and arenas: Test your skills against other Space Marines. This has me very intrigued. Will we see objective-based modes like capturing and holding strategic points? Or perhaps something more narrative-driven, like one team defending a relic while another tries to capture it? The new arenas could offer a mix of environments – maybe we’ll fight through the ruins of a hive city or the twisting branches of a death world forest.
PvE Prestige ranks: Climb the ranks and earn glory for your Chapter. This could add a great long-term goal for players. I’m hoping we’ll see unique rewards for reaching certain ranks – maybe special titles we can display, or even unique wargear that shows off our veteran status.
Battle Barge expansion: Explore more of your mobile fortress monastery. This is the part I’m most excited about. Battle Barges are such an iconic part of Space Marine lore, and the chance to really explore one in detail is thrilling. Will we see the grand command bridges, the somber chapels, the well-stocked armories? I’m hoping for lots of interactive elements and maybe even some light RPG elements as we interact with other members of our Chapter.

The Battle Barge expansion is particularly exciting. It reminds me of the massive capital ships we see in the tabletop game Battlefleet Gothic. I can’t wait to see how they’ve translated this iconic element of Warhammer 40k lore into an explorable environment.

Could we perhaps even see space combat sections, where we man the guns of our Battle Barge against enemy vessels?

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Season 4 – The Horde Approaches

The final revealed season brings some of the most anticipated additions:

Horde mode: Face wave after wave of enemies in true Space Marine fashion. This is where Space Marines truly shine – standing against impossible odds. I’m hoping for a mode that really captures the feel of being surrounded by xenos or heretics, having to work with your battle-brothers to hold out as long as possible. Maybe we’ll see elements of base defense, setting up barricades and gun emplacements between waves?
Another new enemy type: Perhaps we’ll see the introduction of the enigmatic Necrons, with their advanced gauss weaponry and self-repairing bodies. Imagine the tactical shift required to face an enemy that can reassemble itself on the battlefield! Or maybe we’ll encounter the swift and deadly Eldar, bringing their graceful yet lethal combat style to the game. Their psychic abilities could add a whole new dimension to our battles.
New weapon: Another tool in our arsenal to combat the forces of evil. Given that this comes with the Horde mode, I’m expecting something with real crowd-control potential. Perhaps we’ll see the introduction of the classic Heavy Flamer, perfect for cleansing large groups of enemies? Or maybe something more exotic, like a compact Plasma Cannon for devastating area-of-effect damage?

I’ve spent countless hours painting hordes of Tyranids and Orks, I’m particularly excited about the Horde mode.

It’s the perfect opportunity to really feel like the unstoppable warrior a Space Marine is supposed to be. I’m hoping the enemy variety will be substantial – nothing quite like mowing down wave after wave of different xenos and heretics to really hammer home the “Angels of Death” feel of the Space Marines.

A Word on Free Updates

It’s worth noting that all gameplay additions mentioned in the roadmap – including new weapons, game modes, and maps – will be available in free game patches accessible to all players. This commitment to keeping the community united is something we at Warhammer Universe greatly appreciate.

This approach reminds me of how Games Workshop often releases free rules updates for the tabletop game. It’s a great way to ensure that all players can enjoy the core experience together, regardless of whether they’ve invested in the cosmetic extras. I’m hoping this will lead to a vibrant, unified community where we can all share in the latest content together.