With so many unique factions in theWarhammer 40,000 universe,not all of them are as easily recognizable as the iconic bright blue Ultramarines. While the story follows Titus and his Ultramarine squadron,Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2pays homage to many of the other fan-favorite Space Marine legions with references to armor customization. Despite this,the very first faction seen in the game isn’t the classic blue Ultramarine, but a squad of Deathwatch Marineson a vital mission.
[This article contains minor spoilers for the introduction of Space Marine 2, and the ending of Space Marine 1.]
At the start ofSpace Marine 2,players are dropped right into the action with only the bare minimum of exposition. The only thing at the forefront of most players' minds is how to survive the unending hordes of Tyrnaid long enough to set off a deadly virus bomb. After a while of slaying Xenos and seeing Titus unmasked, many players will unsurprisingly want to know more about the Deathwatch, especially given howcool their armor looks.
What is The Deathwatch?
An Elite Chapter Of Veteran Space Marines
Founded by Lord Commander Koorland after a near extinction-level invasion of Tera by the Orks,the Deathwatch serves to safeguard humanity against the threat of annihilation at the hands of Xenos. Members of the Deathwatch are recruited from the most experienced fighters of the other Space Marine Chapters, with only the most elite members being selected. Looking for veterans with up to centuries of experience fighting Xenos factions across the galaxy, it serves as humanity’s greatest bastion of defense against alien invasions.
Deathwatch Marines have unique arsenals that give each soldier a significant edge in combat.
Aside from their legendary prowess, one of the things that makes the Deathwatch stand out is its vast array of specialization. Being sourced from drastically different factions, many Deathwatch Marines have unique arsenals that give every soldier a significant edge in combat. These specialties translate seamlessly into the gameplay ofSpace Marine 2,providing an in-lore reason for the variation between thesix playable classes.
Every Warhammer 40K: Space Marine 2 Class, Ranked Worst To Best
While eachWarhammer 40K: Space Marine 2 class is incredibly fun, not all of them can survive high difficulty operations.
While it’s a rare occurrence, some Deathwatch members are even permitted to make use of Xenos weaponry in necessary circumstances. These exceptions are not given lightly in the world of40K,with Deathwatch members being highly vetted for both combat prowess and their loyalty.
Why Is Titus In The Deathwatch In Space Marine 2?
A Hero Proving Himself To The Imperium Of Man
Following the events of the war against the Orks of the firstWarhammer 40,000: Space Marinein 2011,Titus finds himself betrayed and accused of corruption from the otherworldly forces of Chaos by hisformer comrade Leandros, and quickly arrested by the inquisition. In the final moments of the original game, Titus overcomes the Chaos Lord Nemeroth after being the only one in his squad to survive a blast of pure warp energy. Instead of being heralded as a hero for his bravery, he’s taken away from this victory in shackles and disgrace.
Despite being able to live for centuries to millennia, most Space Marines' life expectancy is only 50–300 years.
His superiors' reasoning behind the arrest is that they couldn’t believe any mortal human could withstand the influence of Chaos for so long, especially while defeating a Chaos Lord in close combat.For roughly 100 years, he was kept in stasis, only being let out for relentless interrogationat the hands of his inquisitors. Luckily for Titus, Space Marines age dramatically slower than humans, as after reaching adulthood, they can live for centuries.
Do You Need To Play The First Game Before Warhammer 40K: Space Marine 2?
With a sequel arriving a decade after its release, many players are asking if they need to play the first game before Warhammer 40K: Space Marine 2.
After having his loyalties tested to their limits,Titus was sent to serve in the Deathwatch Marines for the next 100 years, leading up to the introduction ofSpace Marine 2. While serving in the Deathwatch is a great honor for any ambitious Space Marine, Titus had to shed his entire past identity and become a nameless soldier for the Imperium of Man. Becoming jaded after years of imprisonment, on top of losing his comrades and past achievements, Titus finds himself on the front line of yet another Xenos invasion inSpace Marine 2.
Returning To The Iconic Ultramarine Chapter
Embarking On A New Battle After Facing His Atonement
After completing his final mission as a Deathwatch member, Titus is able to return to his original heraldry as captain of a new Ultramarine squadron. As a reward for his valiant service in the Deathwatch, Titus had his history erased to forego any further suspicion of heresy from his new comrades. Taking a heavy hit to his pride,players will lead Titus to new glory by fighting back against a full-blown Tyranid invasion force.
Titus himself originally served as an Ultramarine from an early age,quickly rising through the ranks thanks to his combat abilities. Despite foregoing his identity as a Deathwatch Black Shield, he had friends in high places who continued to support him behind the scenes to where he is now. Regardless of this support, he is still under watchful scrutiny, with some who would like nothing more than to have him disappear in one of the countless battles ahead.
One Massive Space Marine 2 Exclusion Is The Perfect Setup For A Future Update
Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 is missing a huge feature that should absolutely be the basis for a future update or even additional story DLC.
Throughout the story,Titus develops a deeper bond with his new battle brothers, learning to trust them with some of his past burdens. Not only will Titus have to overcome his past as it returns to haunt him, but he’ll be facing off against the even more tenacious Tyranid and the forces of Chaos once more. Players will need to make use ofevery weaponand ability at their disposal if they want Titus to succeed in the eradication of his enemies.
A Great Entryway Into The Franchise
Players Don’t Need Extensive Knowledge To Enjoy Space Marine 2
One of the best aspects ofSpace Marine 2is how beginner-friendly it is for new fans of the franchise while still being faithful to long-time players.Being a triple-A experience, its gameplay is much more intuitive than traditionalWarhammerexperiences, with difficulty settings for players of all skill levels. Not only doesSpace Marine 2introduce players to the general setting and concepts of the40,000universe, but its references encourage players to research the lore on their own.
There’s enough information for players to pick up the general concept of what each faction in Warhammer is fighting for without the need for lengthy monologs.
It’s difficult to play through the campaign and not stop tobask in the inspirational chants from Cadian guardsmenwhile pushing forward towards certain death. While it’s never explicitly explained inSpace Marine 2, there’s enough information for players to pick up the general concept of what each faction inWarhammeris fighting for without the need for lengthy monologs. While it’s difficult to translate all aspects of what makes Warhammer so popular into game form,Space Marine 2is as close as it gets for many.
