Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2’s Eternal War Mode – A Disappointing Addition to the Chaos
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Warhammer 40k space marines : Warhammer 40k space marines Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 is known for its intense campaign and exciting co-op modes. However, its competitive PvP mode, Eternal War, might leave players feeling disappointed. While the campaign and co-op deliver thrilling experiences, Eternal War falls short, making the imposing Space Marines feel surprisingly fragile.
Before the game’s official release, I couldn’t test Eternal War due to a lack of players. Now that it’s out, I jumped into the mode to see how it holds up. Unfortunately, Eternal War is the weakest part of Space Marine 2, failing to capture the game’s strengths.
Eternal War feels like a throwback to simpler times when many single-player games included basic multiplayer modes. It offers a nostalgic, straightforward experience with three simple mission types: point capture, slightly different point capture, and team deathmatch. The maps are sparse and uninspired compared to the richly detailed environments of the campaign and co-op modes. The lack of lore and stakes in these battles is also noticeable. The conflicts between Space Marines and their enemies seem disconnected from the rich Warhammer 40K universe.
The Chaos Space Marines, a key part of Eternal War, are poorly integrated into the mode. They should have unique abilities and equipment reflecting their background as veterans of the Long War. Instead, they feel like a generic version of the loyalist Space Marines. For example, a World Eater berserker should wield a chainaxe and engage in furious melee combat, not use a boltgun and grappling hook. Similarly, a Death Guard plague marine’s iconic abilities are missing, making them feel out of place.
One major issue with Eternal War is the way it handles Space Marine durability. In the campaign and co-op modes, Space Marines feel powerful and resilient. However, in Eternal War, their durability is significantly reduced, making their power armor feel like paper. The fast-paced, Call of Duty-style gameplay leads to quick kills, which contrasts sharply with the epic battles in the other modes. The absence of executions also changes the gameplay dynamic. Executions, which are crucial in PvE for recharging health and armor, are removed, leaving players to rely on hiding and waiting for their health to regenerate.
Melee combat, which is a vital part of Space Marine 2’s PvE modes, feels ineffective in PvP. Despite the thrill of using a chainsword in the campaign, melee attacks are nearly useless against other players. The rapid-fire weapons and large hitboxes make it challenging to get close to opponents without being overwhelmed.
The six classes available in Eternal War mirror those in Operations, leading to balance issues between PvE and PvP. For example, the Assault class’s jump pack is excellent for close-quarters combat against Tyranids but makes players an easy target in PvP. Similarly, the Sniper’s invisibility and long-range headshots, while useful in co-op, become frustratingly powerful in competitive matches.
In summary, Eternal War is a letdown compared to the rest of Space Marine 2. It lacks the depth and excitement of the campaign and co-op modes, and its PvP gameplay fails to capture the power fantasy that defines the game. For players looking for a thrilling Space Marine experience, the campaign and co-op modes are where the game truly shines.
