10 Best Easter Eggs in Warhammer 40K: Space Marine 2

Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 has succeeded in becoming the most-sold game in the Warhammer franchise in only one month, becoming a mainstream hit for the beloved franchise. Selling over 2 million copies in such a short span, It’s safe to say Space Marine 2 succeeded in convincing both old and new players to join the ranks of Ultramarines. While Space Marine 2 is an excellent starting point for newcomers to the franchise, it still has plenty of Easter eggs and references for die hard fans.

[Warning: This article contains minor spoilers for the prologue of Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2Focus Entertainment put a lot of effort into capturing the overall atmosphere of the Warhammer 40K universe, creating an immersive and visceral experience for fans. Featuring high-intensity action with engaging combat mechanics while having time to breathe with periods of rest in between fights, allowing players to take in their atmosphere and search for secrets. For players with keen eyes and an attention to detail, there are plenty of different Easter eggs to be found in the grim world of Space Marine 2.

10 The Cadian’s Purple Eyes

Added Authenticity To The Bravest Of The Astro-Militarum

This Easter egg was revealed in the first trailer for Space Marine 2, as some eagle-eyed fans recognized the iconic purple hue of a Cadian soldier’s eyes on the Guardsman. It’s a bit tricky to see without the right lighting or use of the camera mode, but the unmistakable hue is the recognizable trademark of a veteran soldier. Having spent their lives fighting against the demonic threats from the Eye of Terror which resulted in their colored mutation, these purple-eyed Cadians have decades of Xenos fighting experience under their belts.

The unmistakable hue is the recognizable trademark of a veteran soldier.

Being more than just background fodder for the enemy, these members of the Astro-Militarum bravely fight side-by-side with the player in multiple missions throughout the game. Taking advantage of strength in numbers and overwhelming firepower, the Cadian guard is an essential part of the Ultramarine’s success in fighting back against the Xenos invasion forces. Having the fierce guardsman be specifically Cadian isn’t just an easy throwaway, as countless speeches and nods to their origins show the developer’s dedication to the source material.

9 Primaris Captain Model

Bringing The Figures To Life With Incredible Detail

The accuracy of Space Marine 2 is impressive, which is most easily seen in the in-game models. The Primaris Captain Acheran that Titus and his squad report to throughout the game is a one-to-one replica of the tabletop ‘Captain in Phobos Armor’ model. The level of detail to the source material doesn’t end there, bleeding throughout the rest of Space Marine 2’s design elements.

Building upon the core of the 40K world rather than acting as a simple extension of it.

Captain Acheran isn’t the only character playable on the official Warhammer 40K tabletop, as Titus himself was just added thanks to the recently released Space Marine 2 board game. Tabletop players have wanted to play Titus since the release of the very first Space Marine game, with the long wait finally being over. The crossover between the newest game and the long-lasting tabletop helps solidify Space Marine 2 by building upon the core of the 40K world rather than acting as a simple extension of it.

8 Quotes From The Original Space Marine

Looking To The Past With Potential For The Future

Being a direct sequel to the events of the original Space Marine from 2011, it’s no surprise Titus and the other Space Marines in the game make many nods toward their past battles. One of the first examples in Space Marine 2 can be heard with some casual banter between the squad, with one of them joking that “I’ve had more civilized conversations with Orks“. This line is more than just a nod to the enemies of the previous game, as it also acknowledges the green-skin menace that once threatened humanity just as much as the Tyranids from another Marine’s perspective.

While the Tyranid and the forces of Chaos are more than enough for players to handle, lines like these have given players some hope for future updates. With the absence of the Orks from the events of the game, there’s reason to hope for the developers to add expansions that could unlock new factions to face off against, being the perfect setup for a future update.

This line is more than just a nod to the enemies of the previous game, as it also acknowledges the green-skin menace that once threatened humanity just as much as the Tyranids from another Marine’s perspective.

Space Marine 2 isn’t afraid of more subtle quotes as well, with one of Titus’ squad members stating “The codex Astartes does not support this action” when they’re about to jump from a storm bird with jump packs. This line was said in the first game under the exact same circumstances as a quick throwback to dedicated fans, but this Easter egg doesn’t stop there. The line about the Codex also acts as a tongue-in-cheek joke about the ruleset for the Astartes Codex for the real-life tabletop game, as it normally restricts this equipment from Primaris Ultramarines.

7 Titus’ Chainsword And Deathwatch Armor

A Respectful Nod To Titus’ Past Glory

In the opening of Space Marine 2 players control a seemingly unknown member of the Deathwatch against hordes of Tyranids, but fans of the first game had an instant clue to their secret identity. At the end of the tutorial mission, it’s revealed that the unknown Deathwatch Marine is Titus from the original Space Marine, using his iconic winged Chainsword from over 200 years ago. Unfortunately, Titus’ chain sword is replaced with a larger one befitting a newly forged Primaris Marine such as himself, but it’s not fully left behind.

A few missions into Space Marine 2, after returning to the Battle Barge players can find Titus’ iconic Chainsword hung on an alter next to his Deathwatch Pauldron. Being selected for the Deathwatch is a respectable commendation for any Space Marine in the world of 40K, but it’s likely Titus feels undeserving of such an honor. Given the unfortunate circumstance that led to Titus serving in the Deathwatch, he’s chosen to keep his Deathwatch Pauldron in his quarters instead of showing it off on his shoulder.

6 Mark III Armor Statues

A Throwback 10,000 Years In The Making

In one of the later missions of Space Marine 2, players will come across rows of statues depicting Mark III armor from the 31st millennium, during the era of the Great Crusade. Unlike the much more advanced armor worn by Titus and his fellow Primaris Ultramarines, these busts are a relic from roughly 10,000 years before the events of the game’s story. This armor and subsequent murals are far more than a simple Easter egg for long-time fans, as they offer a mournful irony about the battle ahead.

The Great Crusade was an era of relative peace among the Space Marine chapters.

The Great Crusade was an era of relative peace among the Space Marines chapters, in their conquest to reconnect with all the scattered pockets of humanity across the galaxy. This time of cohesion would quickly transition into the events of the Horus Heresy, the most tragic event in the Imperium’s history that pitted brother against brother in a gruesome civil war. Not long after encountering the statues and murals representing a time of unification, Titus will face off against more legions of traitorous Chaos Marines, signifying the lost cohesion of the once unified Imperium.

5 Adeptus Mechanicus Inscriptions

Giving Every Vehicle A Personal Touch

The Adeptus Mechanicus are a key faction to the story in Space Marine 2, with their machinations being seen far throughout the game’s environments. Different vehicles across each map have hidden phrases or codes to be deciphered, with plenty of Easter eggs for players who know where to look. Many of the codes and phrases are plastered on vehicles to bless their creations, signifying the faction’s religious beliefs and dedication to their craft.

The Battle Barge is where many of the Mechanicus’ creations can be seen in their full artistic vision, with floating mechanical cherubs and robotic skulls. From its technology covered in candles and imagery of human augmentation, they have a very distinct style that’s hard to miss in the already gothic setting.

4 The Symbolism Of The Aquila

An Iconic Easily Recognizable Symbol With Deeper Meaning

While it’s easy to chalk up the frequent symbolism of the two-headed eagle as a simple background design, the Imperial Aquila has a much deeper meaning than most players realize. The Aquila itself is seen countless times throughout the game on supplies, armor insignias, medals, statues, and statues that are each hard to miss. Being a representation of the Imperium of Man itself, the Aquila is close to a holy symbol for all of humanity, held in high regard.

Some Guardsman can be seen creating an Aquila in the form of a salute, holding both hands together at attention in the shape of a two-headed eagle.

The Aquila symbol itself is a two-headed eagle with one head being blindfolded. Meanwhile, the open-eyed head is meant to embody humanity’s hope for the future and the idealistic life that the Emperor imaged for his great Imperium. Later on, the Aquila would go on to become a symbol for the unity of mankind, following the partnership between the Imperium and the Adeptus Mechanicus.

3 Psykers All-Around

Unfortunate Life Expectancy For These Human Batteries

Psykers have fewer appearances in the story of Space Marine 2 compared to the first game, but they can still be seen in some environments if players look carefully enough as parts of various machinery. Psykers themselves are individuals capable of accessing powers from another dimension known as the warp, often referred to as sorcery or magick. Despite how valuable these individuals are to the Imperium’s cause, Psykers are often treated as heretics who have faced constant subjugation over millennia, being most commonly used as human batteries in the inhumane designs of the Adeptus Mechanicus.

One of the darker and often overlooked aspects of the Imperium of Man.

Later in the story, when fighting through a gigantic facility, players will see some falling shapes in the distance accompanied by faint screams. These aren’t animal droppings or pieces of ceiling, but Psykers that have been drained of their power and tossed into the abyss immediately afterward. Being one of the darker and often overlooked aspects of the Imperium of Man, it’s rarely acknowledged by the heroic Space Marines of the setting but is viewed as a required means to an end to achieving the Imperium’s goals.

2 Luke Skywalker’s Stormbird

References To A Galaxy Not So Far Away

In one of the earliest levels of Space Marine 2, while traversing through the muddy swamps of Kadaku, players can spot a familiar sight poking out from a bog. Spotted by Reddit user braniac021, this sight is eerily similar to the scene of Luke’s crashed X-Wing from Star Wars Episode V The Empire Strikes Back. While there are no little green men to help pull out the sunken spaceship, players can use the built-in photo mode to get a closer look.

While it’s not obvious if it is a nod to the Iconic sci-fi franchise, the similarities are uncanny both in the spaceship’s design and environmental comparisons to Dagobah. If Luke really did crash-land on the Tyranid-infested Kodaku rather than Dagobah, his Jedi training would’ve been a lot more intense than shown in the film. For players wanting to see the Star Wars Easter egg themselves, it can be found at the start of the 2nd mission in the campaign.

1 Termagant Bio Weaponry

Some Things Are Better Left Unknown

One of the more subtle details in Space Marine 2 that many players won’t ever notice is that every weapon used by the Tyranid is part of a living organism. The guns frequently used by ranged Termagants are entirely separate sentient creatures called Fleshborers, most easily recognized with their large protruding eyes on either side. These living traits are more than just for show, as the organic weapons don’t shoot traditional bullets but recently hatched bugs that eat away at the players’ armor.

While many of the Tyranid in Space Marine 2 appear as if they’re holding swords and guns of various types, a closer look tells an entirely different story. Much of the Tyranid swarm’s weaponry is built into the host, acting as an extension of their physical body with protrusions of flesh and bone. While some Tyranid warriors and stronger variants do have the freedom to carry different living weapons, every aspect of the Tyranid fleet is made up of organic material.

Sources: Warhammer, Reddit