Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 was my Game of the Year last year. But, throughout my review coverage, it was clear I was pining for a remake or remaster of the now 13-year-old original Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine. Good things come to those who wait, and out of nowhere Sega shadow-dropped a new remaster called Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine Master Crafted Edition, giving an overlooked gem a second bite at the cherry.
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The original game launched a little too close to Gears of War to make any real waves, but the runaway success of Space Marine 2 has reignited interest in the series.
The Master Crafted Edition delivers a full remaster with higher resolutions, improved textures, updated character models, a new HUD, reworked audio, and all previously released content bundled together. Map packs, armour, the lot.
Reliving the Tale
The story begins on Forge World Graia, a planet devoted to producing weaponry for the Imperium of Man, which finds itself under invasion by the Orks, led by Warboss Grimskull.
So it’s up to the Emperor’s finest Ultramarines to sort it out. You take the role of Captain Demetrian Titus, leading a three-man squad including Veteran Sergeant Sidonus and Tactical Marine Leandros, who is relatively inexperienced and by-the-book (and you may already know him before this mission).
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Cue an epic campaign of blasting greenskins and taking names across the planet. But this is Warhammer 40,000, and things escalate due to the discovery of a mysterious new power source.
The story is well-paced and engaging, balancing duty with personal convictions while navigating shifting relationships between squadmates from firefight to firefight. If you enjoyed Space Marine 2, it helps to fill in some of the bigger narrative blanks and adds extra depth to Titus’s lore.
The Experience
Let’s be honest though, we’re all playing this to rip things apart and blast enemies to dust with an ever-growing arsenal. And on that front, the game absolutely delivers. You can clearly see the seeds of what would blossom into the gameplay of the sequel. From ranged to melee, the combat dances a brutal ballet. Bolters and plasma rifles make way for battle axes and chain blades, with the occasional jump pack thrown into the mix.
It’s fluid, fast and glorious, especially when you activate Fury mode, which slows time and boosts your damage. You can even grab stunned enemies for a quick health refill via the very satisfying rip-and-tear system.
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For a 13-year-old game, Warhammer 40000: Space Marine Master Crafted Edition holds up remarkably well. Still, there are some legacy issues. Like squad AI, which is hit-and-miss. Sometimes they’re engaged in combat, other times just standing around while you’re being overwhelmed. The same goes for enemies too, so it’s a bit of a mixed bag.
The game includes multiplayer with various modes, though finding matches can take time, not helped by Space Marine 2 regularly dropping fresh content like Horde Mode, drawing fans there for their Ultramarine fix. But if you do manage to hop into a game, it’s just as fun as it was back in those hazy Xbox 360 days.
Modern Presentation
Visually, Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine Master Crafted Edition looks sharp. There are nice touches like blood splatter on your armour, and the smoke and lighting effects enhance the grimdark atmosphere. The biggest visual upgrade is the UI, which has been modernised and is far cleaner than the original.
The audio packs a punch too, with a thunderous soundtrack that reinforces the tones of war. Mark Strong returns to voice Titus, lending his trademark gravitas to the role. Now, one caveat. If you’re a PC player and already own the Anniversary Edition released a few years ago, the differences are relatively minor beyond some light visual tweaks. That’s worth bearing in mind.
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Still, Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine Master Crafted Edition has been a long time coming, and it delivers on all fronts. If you’ve recently enjoyed the sequel, this is absolutely worth your time. Long-time fans finally get the chance to experience it on modern hardware.
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