I am unable to clarify why, however I’ve all the time suspected that House Marines, below all the facility armor heavy plating, can be alright to hang around with. There is a type of genetically-modified, ritually-weaponized “dudes rock” power there that I can admire. And primarily based on the Warhammer 40,000: House Marine 2 gameplay overview trailer launched yesterday, it seems to be like I will have the ability to take a look at my idea firsthand. Ultimately: a recreation that provides us an opportunity to see how the Emperor’s greatest sons spend their downtime.
The gameplay overview kicks off with a take a look at House Marine 2’s marketing campaign mode, choosing up the story of protagonist Titus a century after the primary recreation. We’re proven the jungles and planet-spanning metropolises Titus and his House Marine comrades will battle via with chainswords and bolt pistols as they combat “seemingly countless waves” of Tyranids, because of Saber Interactive’s “distinctive swarm know-how.” It seems to be promising, with some nimble transitions between melee fight and third-person capturing.
However extra importantly for me, we study in regards to the Battle Barge—one of many battleship fortresses of the House Marines, which we’ll head again to between sorties to tweak gear loadouts, select from accessible missions, and “collect intel” by chatting with the lads. I am unironically actually excited to get to poke round an in depth House Marine ship, and never simply because I am satisfied that the Ultramarines are most likely big gossips. I imply, these huge blue boys are the closest factor the House Marines should a cheerleader squad. What else are you going to do within the grim darkness of the forty first millennium the place there’s solely warfare, if not chitchat? I guess they have savage rumors in regards to the House Wolves.
The gameplay overview additionally offers us some extra glimpses of the replayability-focused Operations co-op mode and the aggressive 6v6 matches of Everlasting Warfare. Whereas there aren’t many new specifics about how they’re going to play, the trailer particulars how each modes match into the sport’s development, which seems to be fairly elaborate in comparison with the primary House Marine recreation.
Whereas enjoying both Operations or Everlasting Warfare, you may unlock cosmetics to your bespoke House Marine, in addition to expertise and “armory knowledge” to spend on talent and kit upgrades. The six playable House Marine lessons have their very own talent timber, whereas it seems to be like particular person weapon sorts have “perk timber” of their very own. Moreover, as you utilize a weapon, it looks as if you may unlock modified variants of that weapon archetype. A “master-crafted” auto bolt rifle proven within the video had elevated accuracy in comparison with the default variant, however decreased journal capability and ammo reserves.
As for the cosmetics, we get to see a bit extra of the menus for customizing your House Marine, and it appears as granular as you’d hope. It seems to be like there might be loads of particular person armor parts to unlock and swap round, and you’ll assign an total shade scheme in addition to component-specific colours and heraldry. I’m going to spend hours in these menus. Cannot wait.
Warhammer 40,000: House Marine 2 releases on September 9, 2024.