Last Updated on Jul 2, 2025 @ 17:21:47 PM.
It seemed out of nowhere, but we finally have what all Warhammer 40K fans have been clamouring for – a remaster of Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine. The game introduced us to Titus, the Ultramarine with a personality, the man, the myth, the massive character who squashed orks and Chaos Marines under his boot. It ended up taking 13 years, but his story was continued in Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2, developed by Saber Interactive, but still, we had nothing on the horizon about a remaster.
That was until SEGA shocked everyone and dropped the news that pleased every fan of the third-person shooter genre, and we didn’t even have long to wait! Well, after quite a few hours playing the remaster, I have some thoughts, some good, some bad, some in-between, and it’s time to give my verdict.
| EDITOR’S NOTE: |
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| As with any remaster, it’s important to note that this is still a 14-year-old game, albeit with a few modernizations. It’s being reviewed as a product of its time as much as it is a remaster, not compared to modern games. |
The OG Adventure of Captain Titus
It’s important to say early doors, Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine Master Crafted Edition isn’t the prettiest of games, and that’s to be expected. It is, after all, a remaster of a game that’s fourteen years old. It may have had a fresh lick of paint, but don’t go in expecting the hugely impressive graphics of its sequel, for example. It is, however, improved compared to that of the original, and that doesn’t just stop at the graphics.
The game ‘feels’ like a more modern day shooter compared to that of its OG release. The weapons are snappier, the damage they deal feels heavy and real – much like the movement of Titus, he’s a tank, not a nimble-footed human – and they tear through the swarms of enemies, for the most part. That soon stops, of course, when you meet one of the Chaos Marines, who can become bullet sponges, or one of the few boss characters in the game, but for the most part, your power fantasy is well and truly intact here.
That power fantasy is further compounded when you get to grips with the games various melee weapons, and, coupled with the few sections you get to use a jet pack, you’ll feel like a genuine God as you fly from the heavens and smash into the ground, then cut a swath of death and destruction through the enemies in front of you. Just like the OG release, and the sequel, this remaster also does a great job of bringing about the chaos and claustrophobic feeling of wave after wave of enemies coming for you, and you’ll regularly be on your toes from the sheer number of them to shoot at. Make sure your bullets hit, otherwise you’ll quickly run out.
The remaster also boasts a new HUD and UI, although it must be said this is still a far cry away from what we’re used to in today’s day and age. Its minimalist style certainly improves immersion, but all too many times did I end up lost, going the wrong way, or flat out baffled by the direction I was expected to go in, and the level design didn’t aid that confusion either. Most of Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine Master Crafted Edition is linear, but with the similarity of the maps you’re in, and the lack of a real and proper navigation system (unless you’re lost for long enough), this confusion will hit everyone at some point or another, but it is something they could, and should, patch in the future.
Talking of patches, the jankiness of the original is still there, with OG bugs still present, and a couple of new ones, resulting in some crashes during my playthrough. Getting stuck in the scenery and having to reset to my last checkpoint happened enough that it grew tiresome as well. The last of the really big detractors is the control scheme, which, whilst it was supposed to be revolutionized and updated, just felt clunky and irritating when trying to change weapons, throw grenades, or otherwise do anything other than aim and shoot.
All the issues aside, though, Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine Master Crafted Edition is fun. It was born in an era where it could and should have done better, and had a bigger audience, but it unfortunately didn’t. Whether this remaster brings that audience now, or if the ship has sailed and everyone is playing the sequel, or waiting for the third entry, is unknown, but for those that want to know and experience the full Titus story, and why fans hate the traitorous Leandros, at least we have the opportunity now.
Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine Master Crafted Edition Review
Step into the armor of a relentless Space Marine and use a combination of lethal weaponry to crush overwhelming Ork forces. Immerse yourself in an intense and brutally violent world based on the richest science fantasy ever created.
Summary
Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine Master Crafted Edition does exactly what it means to. It brings the 14-year-old release to the modern audience, further building on the franchise’s popularity. There’s plenty it can do better, sure, but it’s also incredibly good fun in what it does well. From the campaign to the multiplayer, it’s everything we remember, with some new bugs and a new lick of paint.
HOURS PLAYED: 13
PLAYED ON: XBOX
- The game is as brutal as ever. It never gets old ripping orks apart.
- Combat feels heavy, and that's important as a 10-foot-tall Space Marine.
- Performance isn't great, with crashes, and bugs old and new.
- The control scheme is confusing and far from optimised.
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Luke Addison is the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Thumb Wars. Having previously been a part of multiple outlets over the years, including building an entire gaming team from nothing to something, he thought it best to forge his own path and answer only to himself. As likely to be found playing the latest game as he is in the kitchen relaxing (by cooking), he always brings the same bold and brash attitude to everything he does, with a heavy leaning on sarcasm and dry wit!
