If you’re familiar with Warhammer 40K, then you’re familiar with how it’s one of the few sci-fi franchises to cross over into so many different genres of gaming. Back in 2011, the series that started as miniature models launched an epic hybrid between a third-person shooter and a hack-and-slash adventure. Now it’s time to return to the universe brimming with lore, factions and vile aliens. In Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine - Master Crafted Edition, everything from the enemy hordes to the visuals and audio has been revamped for a modern audience. There’s never been a better time to be a Warhammer 40K fan.

Become A Space Marine

You’re not some no-name rookie. You're Captain Titus of the Ultramarines, a hardened warrior brought to Graia to serve the Emperor’s will. The Forge World is under attack by the malicious forces of the Orks and it falls on you and your team of Space Marines to wipe them out and prevent the world’s precious manufacturing capabilities from falling into their greedy clutches. To only complicate matters, Titus learns that an Inquisitor somewhere on Graia has been working on a potential doomsday weapon that could very well tear open the gateway to Chaos. Be it Ork or the forces of Chaos, let nothing stand in your way as you purge the Enemies of Man. So, keep your weapons loaded and your blades sharp.

For those who missed out on the first game, now’s your chance to experience the story that led to the events of Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2. Players unfamiliar with the expansive lore may be lost by certain names and references scattered throughout the narrative, but even if you know next to nothing about the universe of Warhammer 40K, there’s enough to glean to make the main plot easy to follow. So put away that pen and paper, because there’s no need to do homework here. All you need to know is you’re a tough-as-nails, loyal and unstoppable Space Marine. Besides, though, the story remains unchanged in the Master Crafted Edition -- it’s the textures and gameplay that deserve true attention.

Purging Orks Has Never Looked & Sounded Better

Age hasn’t slowed the original Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine down one bit, but now its visuals have been completely overhauled with an all-new 4K resolution. From the details on Titus and his armor to the level’s environment, to the ugly mugs of your enemies, the textures look as if the game was made just recently, not over a decade ago. Players who experienced the original will also notice that the game is sporting a brand-new UI. That’s because the icons, health barm and even the weapon selection screen have been remade for better usability, but without losing their consistency with the theme of Warhammer 40K. Even the remastered audio deserves attention. If you enjoy it when remasters give the sound the same care and respect as the graphics, then you’ll love how the Master Crafted Edition handles its audio.

Between the rev of your Chainsaw Sword, the hail of bullets, the cries of orcs and right down to the heavy thuds of your Space Marine marching, every piece of sound has weight to it. Speaking of audio, hidden throughout the campaign are audio logs in the form of Servo Skulls. These serve to give extra information about events before Captain Titus and his team arrived, but that’s about the only worthwhile collectible to be found. Newcomers might be disappointed that there’s no armor customization or a weapon upgrade system for the main campaign, except in online multiplayer. You can counter, however, that this means all the weapons you encounter are operating at full capacity. And you’ll notice the impact when entering a battlefield swarming with enemies.

Also, no matter how many enemies spawn, the framerate never stutters or suffers, meaning you’ll be able to enjoy every crisp detail as you slaughter Orks into a gory mess. Sometimes, too much gore can be a hindrance to a video game, but that’s not the case for the Master Crafted Edition. Watching an enemy burst into bloody giblets when you execute a headshot or get torn apart by your melee weapons never gets old. Though you are an unyielding Space Marine, however, the fights and encounters will get intense and overwhelming at times as stronger enemies start spawning in -- more reason to make use of your vast range of weapons and abilities. Between your arsenal, the enemy variety and the battles, the combat can be summed up in a single line: everything has Punch to it.

Wield The Might of The Imperium

From the first level, you’re thrown into battle with only a pistol and knife, but it isn’t long before you start acquiring better gear as you go. For long-range, you can carry up to four weapons, which vary from a machine gun to a sniper rifle, to even a grenade launcher or a unique flame blaster. If you’re familiar with Warhammer 40K’s style of naming, fans will recognize the trusty Bolter or the Vengeance Launcher. You also have grenades that’ll come in handy for bigger baddies or clustered enemies. Players can exchange weapons from drop pads containing new and useful gear. As for close-quarters combat, prepare to get down and dirty using your melee skills.

Between your arsenal, the enemy variety, and the battles, the combat can be summed up in a single line: everything has Punch to it.

Along with the iconic Chainsaw Sword, you’ll be getting into the swing of things with axes and hammers too. Charging into battle and slashing at hordes of enemies has the same satisfying impact as it did back in 2011. Players also gain an ability known as Fury Mode that’ll make their melee attacks stronger. Fury can also be used to activate Marksman Mode, which slows down time when aiming. Though your Space Marine armor offers special protection with its overlay shield, in order to regain your health in combat, you’ll have to stun enemies to perform executions for health. The executions are just as epic and violent as ever, and yes, each melee weapon has a different animation -- Fury Mode is also useful for regaining health too.

The downside to executing an instant kill is you’re not invulnerable to damage, meaning if your health’s too low, you can die before the animation replenishes your health bar. Regarding any texture issues, the only problem observed thus far has been a minor glitch where an enemy or NPC becomes stuck in the environment. This is a minor nitpick, however, that won’t ruin the overall experience. The main flaw players might be disappointed about is the short campaign, which can be finished in just under ten hours. Even for a game from the early 2010s, that’s short.

Closing Comments:

Like the new DOOM games, Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine - Master Crafted Edition is pure, violent fun that focuses on gameplay and graphics. The revamp maintains what made the original fantastic, without sacrificing its identity and love for the Warhammer 40K franchise. There’s enough to keep longtime fans and new fans satisfied with the overall game, so if players are willing to overlook the minuscule issues and the unfortunately short campaign, they’re in for a blast. Now, grab a weapon and get out there, Space Marines. For the Emperor.

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Version Reviewed: Xbox Series X

Action Adventure RPG /5

Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine returns. Enhanced for a new generation!
Enjoy quality of life & graphical improvements that take the Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine experience to the next level.

Improvements:
- Higher fidelity & improved textures
- 4k Resolution
- Improved character models
- Modernised control scheme + interface overhaul
- Remastered audio

Step into the armor of a relentless Space Marine and use a combination of lethal weaponry to crush overwhelming Ork forces. Immerse yourself in an intense and brutally violent world based on the richest science fantasy ever created.


In Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine you are captain Titus, a Space Marine of the Ultramarines chapter and a seasoned veteran of countless battles. A millions-strong Ork horde has invaded an Imperial forge world, one of the planet-sized factories where the war machines for humanity's never-ending battle for survival are created. Losing this planet is not an option, but a darker and far more evil threat is lurking large in the shadows of this world. With an Imperial liberation fleet en-route, the Ultramarines are sent in to hold key locations until reinforcements arrive. Captain Titus and a squad of Ultramarine veterans use bolters and chainswords to take the fight to the enemies of mankind.

Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine – Master Crafted Edition includes the original Space Marine game & all DLC:

? Chaos Unleashed Map Pack
? Dreadnought Assault DLC
? Iron Hand Veteran Chapter Pack DLC
? Death Guard Champion Chapter Pack DLC
? Golden Relic Bolter
? Golden Relic Chainsword
? Power Sword
? Blood Angels Veteran Armour Set
? Salamanders Veteran Armour Set
? Alpha Legion Champion Armour Set
? Legion of the Damned Armour Set
? Emperor's Elite Pack
? Traitor Legions Pack

Pros & Cons

• Satisfying Combat
• Massive Enemy Swarms
• Phenomenal Visual Enhancements

• Short Campaign
• No Major Innovations

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