Before diving into Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine – Master Crafted Edition, my knowledge of the Warhammer 40K universe was limited to big armoured guys fighting aliens in space. I knew a kid in primary school that had a pool table covered in these tiny painted bad boys, and it always made me jealous, though I never got into myself. But sometimes the best gaming experiences come from jumping into something completely blind, and this remaster proved to be exactly that.
A Story With Hooks
The game throws you straight into the action without drowning you in exposition. You’re Captain Titus, a badass Ultramarine, sent to liberate a planet under siege by green-skinned Orks, who look like they stepped out of a heavy metal album cover. The setup is straightforward, save the forge world and stop the bad guys, but the execution is anything but.
The real magic comes from watching Titus navigate increasingly impossible situations. What starts as a straightforward alien invasion quickly spirals into something far more sinister, when Chaos forces enter the picture. And let’s just say that not everyone you meet has humanity’s best interests at heart. The story manages to feel both epic in scope and personal in stakes, which is no small feat.
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Feel Like a Walking Tank
Space Marine truly shines in its combat, drawing comparisons to the Gears of War franchise. But while Gears encourages you to take cover and play it safe, Space Marine actively punishes that approach. There’s no cover system, instead you’re meant to charge headfirst into hordes of enemies like the genetically-enhanced super-soldier you are.
The combat flows beautifully between ranged and melee action. One moment you’re mowing down Orks with your Bolter, a machine gun with explosive rounds, and the next you’re revving up a Chainsword to carve through armoured enemies up close. The game rewards aggression through its health system, where you can only recover health by performing brutal execution moves on stunned enemies, forcing you to stay in the thick of combat rather than retreating.
There’s a sheer visceral satisfaction to the melee combat. Every Chainsword swing feels weighty and impactful, and the animations for finishing moves are gloriously over-the-top. You’re not just shooting enemies; you’re literally tearing through them with medieval weapons supercharged for the far future.
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Master Crafted Indeed
Running on Xbox Series X, this remaster is a visual treat. The 4K presentation brings out details in both the industrial hellscape of the forge world and the intricate designs of the Space Marine armor. Character models look significantly improved from what I’ve seen of the 2011 original, and the enhanced lighting makes every explosion and muzzle flash pop.
The audio design deserves special mention with every Bolter shot sounding like a miniature cannon, and the voice acting sells the grim determination of these superhuman warriors. The Orks, in particular, are brought to life with gleefully violent dialogue that perfectly captures their brutal nature.
While I didn’t encounter any major frustrations, the game does show its 2011 roots in some areas. Level design can feel a bit linear at times, and certain sections involve more switch-pulling and objective-running than I’d prefer. The enemy AI, while adequate, isn’t particularly sophisticated by today’s standards.
Should you buy Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine – Master Crafted Edition?
Space Marine: Master Crafted Edition succeeds as both a remaster and an introduction to the Warhammer 40K universe. It takes a “show, don’t tell” approach to world-building that left me genuinely curious about this dark future where there is only war. The combat system feels unique even today, encouraging an aggressive playstyle that perfectly matches the power fantasy of being a Space Marine.
Jumping in to the definitive version of this cult classic will currently cost you $62.95, though it’s also on Game Pass which significantly lowers the barrier to playing. Whether you’re a longtime 40K fan or a newcomer like myself, this is how you do a remaster right. Respectful to the original while bringing it up to modern standards.
If you enjoy visceral action games and want to experience something that feels genuinely different from the cover-shooter norm, Space Marine: Master Crafted Edition is absolutely worth your time. Just prepare to have “For the Emperor!” stuck in your head for weeks!
Quest Daily scores Space Marine: Master Crafted Edition:
7/10
Quest Daily was supplied with an early review copy of Space Marine: Master Crafted Edition thanks to the publisher.
