Cons
*Sometimes glitchy collision *Combat is too simple and repetitive *No single player co-op Having been a huge Warhammer 40k fan for 10+ years playing several armies and most of the dreary video game adaptation over the years, I went into this game expecting it to be another piece of garbage franchise marketed game. Much to my surprise Space Marine turned out to be an exemplary Warhammer title, from dialog to spot on character and background design torn straight from the table top mini’s universe.Presentation: A+
Graphics / Animation / Sound
The graphics for the game look as though they were torn from the pages of the codex’s from the table top game. The backdrops were astonishingly detailed, and really bring you to grips of a war-torn world overran by a planet sized Ork Waaagh invasion.
Every character animation is smooth and precise, from combat to cut scene, which by the looks as though it uses the in-game engine to render which I always liked. The bulky space marines clunker around the battlefield reminiscence of medieval knights, while the less armored Orks move at a much faster pace easily swarming and over whelming you.
The music sets a nice mood to the atmosphere, and the voice acting is excellent, my only complaint in that department is the Orks tend to have a small vocabulary, consisting of around 8 phase you hear over and over again playing through the entirety of the story.
Single Player: B+
Game mechanics / Length / difficulty
The controls are so simple anyone who has never played a hack n slash/shooter will easily master the combat, whether shooting or melee it’s all really 2 buttons rinse and repeat.
The game’s story is told over a few hours on Forge World Graia, which is a planet converted to be a weapon and vehicle manufacturing plant. Expect to beat the story in about 7 hours, although short the story is well enough told that it is easy to over looked and forgiven. For those who have not played it I wont spoil any of the latter story by revealing later game enemies.
With combat consisting of 2 buttons in melee or shooting, the games difficulty comes in the form of seemingly endless hordes of Orks. Enemies vary from mobs of weak Gretchin to fearsome Nobs capable of wrecking you rather quickly. Some of the more difficult times in the game come in the form of Ork Boyz with Rokkit launchers perched high on ledges. Without proper equipment this could spell several deaths, which I felt all too well, do to my stubborn affinity for melee and that I kept neglecting the wonderful guns of mass destruction the game was providing.
Multiplayer: C
Game mechanics / features / Online features
The multiplayer consist of two options, modern shooter style (you and your team vs another team) or you and up to 3 people vs hordes of Orks in and arena style play set.
One disappointing thing about the multiplayer is like most modern shooters, it has a level up system that lets you unlock armor styles weapons and perks. If you did not buy the game upon release you run a risk of having to pay $9.99usd to be able to level past 5. More games these days are charging what once was free to game online, which in reality you pay 60 dollars for a games that you know will be getting a lot of online competition use, turns into a 70 dollar game, just so you can actually achieve something playing.
Replay Value: B
Lasting appeal / Bonus Content / DLC
There is no real bonus content and the DLC consist of map packs like most shooters, which is a letdown to me, because I would love to see the cliff hanger story picked up or the ability to play as an Ork in multiplayer. Unless you paid the $9.99 or got the access code when you purchased the game the replay value is only as strong as your love for Warhammer 40k.
Where there is uncertainty, I shall bring light
Where there is doubt, I shall sow faith
Where there is shame, I shall point atonement
Where there is rage, I shall show its course
My word in the soul shall be as my bolter in the field.
~Litany of Devotion~
Overall:B+
