Lore Details You Might Have Missed In Space Marine 2

Key Takeaways

Cadians have purple eyes due to growing up near the Eye of Terror, offering a lore-rich background for new players.
Continuity with the original game is seen through the Chainsword, highlighting the development of the Watch Captain.
References to theoretical and practical problem-solving in the Ultramarines hint at a return to old thinking thanks to Guilliman’s guidance.

As a long-time fan of Warhammer 40k, I must say, the developers have truly outdone themselves with Space Marine 2! The statue of Sanguinius, based on his Horus Heresy model, is a poignant reminder of our beloved Primarch’s tragic end and serves as a symbol of vengeance against the traitorous hordes.

In Space Marine 2, you’ll find numerous nods to the broader Warhammer 40,000 universe, particularly focusing on Titus and the Ultramarines. Although many references are made clear throughout the campaign so that newcomers to the 40k world can follow along, a good number of these references remain unelucidated and may be overlooked by players experiencing the game for the first time.

In Space Marine 2, you’ll find references that range from casual mentions in conversations with intriguing backstories, to hidden gems nestled within the game environment – both of which can be captivating discoveries for newcomers. For long-time Warhammer 40k enthusiasts, these elements drawn from the rich 40k universe will only enhance their enjoyment of Space Marine 2.

This article will discuss spoilers for both Space Marine 1 and 2.

1 Purple Eyes Of The Cadians

Growing Up Fighting Hellspawn

In the sequel titled “Space Marine 2“, players can observe that certain Cadian characters have violet eyes. This unique feature not only makes the Cadians stand out visually, but also carries some significant backstory within the game’s lore.

Born near a realm that serves as Warhammer 40k’s representation of hell, known as the Eye of Terror, is where the Cadians originate. Living on their planet, Cadia, has shaped the Cadians into the Imperium’s front-line defense against any potential horrors emanating from the Eye of Terror. However, being so close to a literal gateway to hell has also resulted in a peculiar genetic mutation among some Cadians; their eyes adopt a lilac-purple hue, mirroring the color of the Eye of Terror, and they exhibit a modest resistance to the corrupting influences of chaos.

2 Cadian Resistance To Chaos

The Planet Broke Before The Guard Did

An additional important point to know is that by the time of Space Marine 2, Cadia has since been destroyed by the forces of Chaos. But after that cataclysmic event, Cadian culture lives on through its survivors as they raise more regiments on other planets and train new generations of soldiers with the same traditions the original Cadians grew up with. However, while these newer soldiers are given the upbringing of a Cadian, they lack the purple eyes and resistance Chaos the original Cadians had.

In Space Marine 2, you’ll encounter newer versions of the Cadians, who are distinguishable by their non-purple irises. An interesting observation arises in a scene depicting Demerium’s inhabitants battling the warp’s influence; some Cadians succumb to Chaos, displaying normal eye colors instead of the purple ones. However, when Titus reunites with the steadfast Cadian Regiments, most of these soldiers possess the distinctive purple irises.

3 The Original Chainsword From Space Marine 1

Continuity For Our Good Captain

To start off, the player encounters a Captain of the Guard brandishing the iconic chainsword from Space Marine 1. This nod to the original game subtly foreshadows the genuine nature of the Watch Captain’s character.

After Titus passes the Rubicon, transforming into a Primaris Marine, he retains both his Chainsword and Deathwatch pauldron in his living quarters. Though employing the old chainsword in subsequent games could offer an engaging narrative, it’s more sensible to keep it there as it might be too diminutive for a Primaris Marine given their larger stature.

4 Theoretical And Practical Talk

Old Soul? Or Hersey-era Marine?

Occasionally during missions, Chiron queries, “What’s our immediate plan?” Furthermore, at some point in the campaign, even Titus posed the question, “What’s our theoretical strategy?” Although seemingly trivial, these two statements carry a great deal of lore importance for the Ultramarines.

Roboute Guilliman, leader of the Ultramarines, instilled in his legion a dual-pronged approach to problem-solving: considering both the theoretical and practical aspects. The legionaries learned to contemplate the theory behind a situation (the objective, the purpose, and the underlying idea of an action), followed by the practical application (how to execute it, what obstacles are preventing success). This fostered adaptability in the Ultramarines, promoting self-reliant problem-solving among their ranks.

In contrast to their past practice, which was widespread during the Horus Heresy 10,000 years ago, today’s Ultramarines adhere strictly to the Codex Astartes. This rigidity is evident in the first “Space Marine” game by Leandros. Nevertheless, following Guilliman’s resurrection and return, there has been a gradual resurgence of the original philosophical/practical approach within Ultramarines culture.

Considering what we’ve learned so far, the questions posed by Chairon and Titus serve as a reminder of the approach used in the chapter, reintroducing that thought process.

5 Chairon Is 10,000 Years Old

Calth Was A Long Time Ago

During the course of the campaign, I found myself learning that Chairon was a resident of Calth when the Word Bearers launched their attack. Although Calth has faced invasions from Tyranids and Iron Warriors previously, it was the Battle of Calth during the Horus Heresy that he experienced.

10 millennia ago, during the early phases of the Heresy, I found myself as part of an epic saga. The Emperor’s beloved clone son, Horus, shockingly betrayed the Imperium of Man. His plan was to deliver a crippling blow against the Ultramarines, my comrades-in-arms. He ordered us to gather on Calth, a planet paradise at the time. Little did we know that it was a trap set by the Word Bearers, a treacherous faction of Astartes who pledged allegiance to Chaos. This ambush turned Calth’s once lush landscape into a smoking, radioactive wasteland.

Based on this information, it’s clear that Chairman’s disclosure offers 40k enthusiasts a broad understanding of his past. In the midst of the Heresy, under instructions from Guilliman, Belasarius Cawl – an Archmagos hailing from the Adeptus Mechanicus – initiated the Primaris project. The objective was to enhance the Astartes by creating an improved model. To achieve this, Cawl selected Astartes from every legion and put them into a state of suspended animation, allowing him to conduct experiments on them. Simultaneously, he labored tirelessly in Mars’ forges to craft the optimal weapons for these enhanced warriors. Upon Guilliman’s return, Cawl retrieved the marines from their stasis chambers, equipped them with the best weapons the Imperium had available, and presented them back to Guilliman as a fresh, powerful force destined to save the galaxy.

Charion belongs to the group of Primaris marines who were admitted into the Ultramarines legion following a significant battle known as the Battle of Calth. Afterward, he was preserved for the Primaris program. As such, while most of his fellow warriors view the events at Calth as old history, the reality and betrayal of the Word Bearers are still vivid in Charion’s memory.

6 “The Codex Astartes Does Not Support This Action”

Shut Up Leandros; Keep Talking Gadriel

In the sequence where Titus guides his team using jump packs for landing on Demerium, Gadriel informs Titus that “as per the Codex Astartes, such an action isn’t endorsed…yet I find myself eagerly anticipating it.

This entire scene is a nod back to the first mission in Space Marine 1 where Titus and his squad are using a jump pack to land on Forgeworld Graia. During this scene, Leandros also says “the codex Astartes does not support this action,” which is immediately disregarded by Captain Titus. However, this scene sets up Leandros’ betrayal at the end of the game where he gives Titus up to Inquisitor Thrax on the suspicion of corruption by the Warp.

Instead, let’s say: Gadriel and Titus choose to spend time mending their bond, with Titus demonstrating his personal growth since then.

7 Archmagos Nozick’s Binharic Squawks

The Mechanicus Prefer Their Own Language

A noteworthy aspect filled with rich background details is the phrase from Archmagos Nozick, “…I shall be happy to silence the squawking of this abhorrent vocal skin.

This passage refers to the manner in which Techpriests often interact using the Cant Mechanicus, a set of diverse languages utilized by the Adeptus Mechanicus for efficient communication or command transmission among its members. These languages can include data streams uploaded directly into another tech adept’s biomechanical enhancements, leading to faster and more effective information transfer compared to traditional verbal communication.

Beyond comprehension for ordinary humans, Cant Mechanicus not only eludes understanding but also lacks sounds that can be produced by unaugmented bodies. Consequently, when communicating with other humans, the priests of the Adeptus Mechanicus are compelled to utilize languages familiar to their audience, a practice that displeases seasoned techpriests such as Archmagos Nozick.

8 Tomb World And The Necrons

As If Demerium Wasn’t Doomed Enough

As Titus advances through the Campaign, players get a glimpse of the subterranean catacombs of Demerium. For long-term Warhammer 40k enthusiasts, this offers a foreboding peek into Demerium’s impending fate.

In a story as timeless as any, the Adeptus Mechanicus unearthed ancient relics hidden within long-forgotten ruins. Unbeknownst to them, they stirred an ancient race, the Necrons, who have been around almost since the birth of the galaxy. The Necrons, when their empire was under attack, opted for a millennia-long nap to let the danger pass. Their new forms were constructed from a peculiar living metal, granting them functional immortality. Compared to these timeless beings, the threats to their empire were mere mortal flesh and blood.

On Tomb Worlds – ancient planets hollowed out and filled with specially designed catacombs for Necron storage in stasis – the Necrons lay dormant, waiting for their awakening call that never came. Unbeknownst to the Necrons, the Imperium of Man has taken over and settled many of these planets, oblivious to the fact that they were constructing a new civilization on top of the sleepy remains of an older one.

As Titus ventures into the catacombs, the player encounters a chilling tableau of a dormant tomb world, complete with Canoptek Tomb Stalkers making an appearance. This setting serves as clear evidence that Demerium is a Tomb World, and if the Necrons rise again soon, Demerium will face yet another challenge apart from the Tyranids and Thousand Sons.

9 Banner Scene Reference

A Beautiful Reference To A Classic 40k Scene

One of the most iconic Warhammer 40k images is the cover of the 3rd Edition Space Marine Codex created by David Gallagher. This picture depicts several Space Marines from the Crimson Fists chapter in a desperate last stand. Standing on top of a mound of dead Asartes, surrounded by his dying and defiant brothers, the Sergeant pumps his power fist into the air while another Crimson Fist Astartes holds the chapter’s banner high beside him. This picture encapsulated the feelings of desperation and gritty darkness that became foundational to the entire setting of 40k.

In Space Marine 2, players experience the thrill of joining an iconic last-stand in the climactic mission of the campaign. Titus hastens to hoist the second company standard and galvanize the dwindling number of Ultramarines around him. The ensuing sequence is among the most memorable moments in the game, mirroring Gallagher’s portrayal of an Astartes last stand, beautifully embodying the essence of Warhammer 40k’s atmosphere. The subsequent chaos forces assault on the Ultramarines formation appears to have been plucked directly from a codex.

10 Statue Of Sanguinius

The Blood Angels Primarch In All His Glory

In the mission “Servant of the Machine,” right above the building where Leuze has taken refuge, stands a grand statue depicting an angel vanquishing a demon. While newcomers might admire it as a simple angel sculpture, for those well-versed in Warhammer 40k’s history, this statue is undeniably that of Sanguinius, the Primarch of the Blood Angels.

The Blood Angels, a well-known Space Marine chapter, are distinguished by their exceptional skills in close combat and their ongoing battle with the Red Thirst – a genetic affliction that transforms them into fearsome warriors when under control, but poses a dangerous risk to those around them when a marine succumbs to it. Much like Roboute Guilliman leads the Ultramarines, Sanguinius was the founder of the Blood Angels. Unlike his fellow Space Marines, Sanguinius stood out due to his angelic wings and compassionate nature. While Guilliman focused on strategic matters such as logistics and rebuilding economies, Sanguinius showed empathy towards the bereaved, offered assistance to survivors, and motivated others with his inspiring presence.

Reflecting on Sanguinius’ tale and witnessing his statue during the initial mission when Chaos emerges, serves as a poignant reminder for fans why any traitor should be swiftly met with a barrage of bolter fire. Sanguinius suffered a heart-wrenching demise at the hands of his brother Horus, which led to his sons being afflicted by the Red Thirst. Destroying the treacherous forces of the Thousand Sons under this statue seems like dispensing justice that’s been long overdue for 10,000 years.

From the posture and stylistic representation, it seems the statue within Space Marine 2 closely resembles the model of Sanguinius from the Horus Heresy period.

11 Imperator Class Titans On Demerium

In A Cinematically Fitting Size Too!

Titans are colossal, powerful battle machines utilized by both the Imperium of Man and the Adeptus Mechanicus. These bipedal walkers, towering over the battlefield, effortlessly obliterate entire armies of less powerful beings, including Astartes, earning them the title of “divine machinery” among the Mechanicus. Operating a Titan demands a considerable workforce consisting of servants, tech priests, and pilots, and they are armed with gigantic energy barriers usually employed to safeguard capital ships.

Regardless of their varied forms, the colossal Titans are categorized as either Imperators or Emperors. These are extremely uncommon, possessing immense power, making them formidable weapons. They evoke a blend of admiration and profound respect from anyone who encounters these titanic war machines.

In the game ‘Space Marine 2’, you’ll find three spots where the Imperator Class Titans are located. These areas are where they are typically stationed.

Mausoleum in Eternal War
Reliquary in Operations

As a devoted fan, I must express my awe at these locations on Demerium, each one raising an intriguing question: how does such a colossal machine wind up here? Though the answer remains elusive, witnessing one of these colossal god-machines, brought to life in stunning 3D detail, is a thrilling delight for Warhammer 40k enthusiasts who crave grand mecha battles. Interestingly, the depiction of Titans in Space Marine 2 challenges the inconsistency often seen in the lore regarding their size. While some sources suggest Imperator class Titans are around 43 meters tall (similar to the Dies Irae in False Gods), others claim they can tower over 140+ meters. Thanks to a dedicated fan’s data mining, we now know for certain that the Imperator Class Titan in Space Marine 2 stands at an astonishing height of over one kilometer, far surpassing these other measurements.

Although the actual dimensions of this Titan might not align with official records, this interpretation of an Imperator Titan seems to better fit the lore. The Imperator class Titans are often characterized by the devastation, obliteration, and terror they inflict on the Imperium’s adversaries. Many descriptions suggest that these titans can reduce entire cities into glass craters with the sheer power of their weapons. This level of destruction is more credible for a titan of this size compared to one that stands just 40 meters tall.

2024-09-30 02:08