Breaking the Seal – Warhammer 40K: Space Marine Preview

You are wrong. OK, I’m making an assumption here. I assume you think that Warhammer 40K: Space Marine looks and plays just like Gears of War. It doesn’t. Not at all.

Space Marine is it’s own game, steeped in Games Workshops’ Warhammer Universe. Sure, the Space Marines are big; nay, huge. But they are not COGs. They are bigger. They are tougher. They do not hide or grab cover. They rush into the fray with chainswords whirring and bolters firing hot death.

In the first demo level, you’ll come face to face with Orks on a Forge World. You will immediately notice that the Orks of the Warhammer universe are not the hulking beasts that the Locust are. They are small, they are numerous, and they bleed. Easily. As you dive headfirst in, you’ll use the X button to slice with your chainsword and the right trigger to fire your bolt pistol, bolter (machine gun), stalker bolter (sniper rifle) and grenade launcher.

Kill enough Orks, and you’ll build up your Fury meter, which can be unleashed by pressing both thumbsticks in at the same time. This boosts your health, drastically reduces the amount of damage you take and allows you to rip through enemies with enhanced strength. This meter will build up quickly and you’ll be triggering your heightened state often.

In the second demo level, you get to strap on a jump pack, which allows you reach high ground quickly. It also gives you the ability to ground pound enemies which either kills them outright or stuns them long enough to be executed.

The game is bloody, and your armor will be redder than a Grey Warden’s very quickly. It’s also a lot of fun. There is a lot to look forward to when it launches on September 6, 2011.