One among the most spectacular mechanics in Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 is its Tyranid swarm expertise. Constructed upon the tech used to energy swarming zombies in developer Saber Interactive’s World Struggle Z, it sees lots of of the terrifying xenos swarm not solely in the distance however near you and your squad mates.
It’s an unbelievable sight to behold: the Tyranid swarm crashing over the panorama in the distance and, nearer to the participant, clumping collectively to climb partitions or emerge from higher-up platforms earlier than assaulting the Space Marine squad’s place. It provides a way of scale and impending doom to Space Marine 2, and makes a few of the recreation’s set items really memorable.
What’s extra, you possibly can truly shoot particular person Tyranid items as they’re swarming and the recreation will register hits. You’ll see the pink hit marker in case you take pot photographs at the swarm from a distance, and, in case you lob a grenade or two, you’ll see Tyranids fly off as they’re caught by the explosion.
However as Space Marine 2 enters its third weekend on sale, gamers have begun to check the limits of its swarm tech, and have come to surprise how a lot of it’s smoke and mirrors, and the way a lot of it really impacts gameplay.
Some at the moment are questioning whether or not capturing at the Tyranid swarm, whether or not it’s far in the distance or nearer to dwelling, has an influence on the variety of Tyranids it’s a must to truly face once they inevitably attain your place, of in case you’re simply needlessly burning ammunition in a recreation that, on more durable difficulties, is stingy with assets.
In an unique interview with IGN, Saber Interactive chief inventive officer Tim Willits mentioned the fact of the matter falls someplace in the center. Basically, there isn’t a level capturing Tyranids who’re swarming in the distance, however there’s certainly a cause to shoot Tyranids who’re swarming nearer, for instance up a wall.
“So sure and no,” Willits started after we requested if the Tyranid swarm tech was simply an phantasm. “When the swarm begins to bunch, particularly once they transfer up and down, there’s this era the place they bunch, and in case you hit that you simply truly sluggish them down, which is essential, and also you do scale back them.
“Taking pictures at them approach off in the distance, you are simply losing bullets. Professional tip, do not try this! However you possibly can see the place they’ll press. You can take these out, after which that can sluggish the swarm after which that can scale back once they fall.
“Save your ammo. Wait till they bunch after which begin capturing them. That is key.”
So there you may have it, as if the Emperor decreed it himself: save your bullets till the Tyranids are shut sufficient so that you can make certain they’re truly having an influence. In any other case, simply take pleasure in the view.
We’ve bought loads extra on Space Marine 2 from our interview with Tim Willits, together with the increase he expects the PS5 Professional will give the recreation, and the way the breakout success of Space Marine 2 has “modified every thing” for Saber Interactive.
In the meantime, Warhammer 40,000 superfan Henry Cavill has been enjoying Space Marine 2 and delivered his verdict, and we even have particulars on what followers can count on from Space Marine 2’s seasonal post-launch content material mannequin. Season 2 runs from October till the finish of 2024, and features a new Operations map, a brand new enemy, a more durable issue degree, a brand new weapon, and varied different enhancements.
Wesley is the UK Information Editor for IGN. Discover him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can attain Wesley at wesley_yinpoole@ign.com or confidentially at wyp100@proton.me.