The upcoming Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 has already generated a lot of hype among PvP fans with the recent reveal of its 6v6 multiplayer mode. However, to truly make itself stand out from competitors like Helldivers 2, the game needs to introduce another, more PvE-focused feature that has proven to be a massive success in other franchises: a dedicated Horde mode.
Horde Modes have been incredibly popular across many titles, such as Gears of War, Call of Duty: Zombies, and recent Halo games. The mix of arcadey action, wave-based survival gameplay, and co-op fun has resonated with players, providing a thrilling and highly replayable experience.
By taking inspiration from these successful implementations and leveraging the unique strengths of the Warhammer 40K universe, Space Marine 2 could create the ultimate Horde Mode that leaves Helldivers 2 in the dust.
The Tyranid Threat: Perfect for a Horde Mode
In Space Marine 2, players will face off against the Tyranids, an aggressive and terrifying alien race that operates like a hive-mind and attacks in massive swarms. If that doesn’t make them the perfect candidate for a Horde mode, I don’t know what will! Imagine fighting wave after wave of Tyrnaid hordes, each more overwhelming than the last, as you and your fellow Space Marines fight tooth and nail to survive.
The Tyranids are known for their ability to adapt and evolve rapidly (mutations!), which could be incorporated into the Horde mode gameplay. As players progress through waves, the Tyranids could introduce new, more deadly variantsāforcing you and your friends to adapt your strategies on the fly.
Learning from World War Z and Gears of War
Saber Interactive, the developer behind Space Marine 2, has already proven their expertise in creating the perfect Horde Mode experiences with World War Z (2019). The game’s “Horde Mode XL” feature, aptly named, allows for up to 1,000 zombies on screen simultaneously, providing players with an intense and thrilling co-op experience.
By leveraging the power of their proprietary Swarm Engine, Saber Interactive could bring a similar scale to Space Marine 2’s Horde mode, with hundreds of Tyranids swarming players in a visually magnificent show of carnage. The engine’s ability to handle enormous number of enemies without sacrificing visual fidelity (or performance) would be a key selling point for the mode.
Furthermore, Space Marine 2 could draw inspiration from the Gears of War series, which has polished its Horde mode over multiple iterationsāfrom 2008’s Gears of War 2 to the most recent Gears 5 (2019). Gears of War introduced elements like fortifications, character classes, and boss waves, which added more depth and strategy to the action. Space Marine 2 could incorporate similar mechanics, allowing players to build defenses, choose specialized roles, and face off against giant Tyranid boss creatures together.
The Missed Opportunity in Helldivers 2
While Arrowhead Game Studios’s Helldivers 2 features the insectoid Terminids as an enemy type, the game lacks a dedicated Horde mode. Instead, it offers “defense missions,” which, while similar in concept, don’t quite capture the intensity and scale of a proper Horde mode.
The absence of a Horde Mode feels like a hugely missed opportunity for Helldivers 2, especially given the potential for the Terminids to swarm players in overwhelming numbers. Space Marine 2 could differentiate itself by capitalizing on this gap in the market and offering an even more compelling co-op experience than its leading competitor.
If Space Marine 2 successfully implements a Tyranid Horde mode, it could set a new standard for the Warhammer 40K gaming franchise. The universe is ripe with possibilities for intense, wave-based survival gameplay, with various factions and enemy types that could be adapted into this potentially thrilling and intense co-op experience.
Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 is scheduled for release on September 9, 2024, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.
