With Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 now out for a little over a week, players have delved deep into its intense campaign and explored the co-op Operations mode and PvP battles in Eternal War. However, fans are already speculating about the next enemy faction that could appear in a highly anticipated sequel, Space Marine 3. Based on several hints scattered throughout Space Marine 2, one potential enemy stands out: the Necrons.

Spoiler Alert for Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2!

In Space Marine 2, players once again follow Titus of the Ultramarines as he battles the Tyranids and the Thousand Sons Traitor Legion. The campaign crescendos with a massive battle involving a demonic army and even includes a daring trip into the warp. With help from Ultramarines Chapter Master Marneus Calgar, Titus successfully fends off the combined threats, only to be sent on a mysterious mission, hinting at a sequel in the works.

Fans believe that Space Marine 3, which seems inevitable due to the breakout success of Space Marine 2, will feature the Necrons, the skeletal robot-like xenos of the Warhammer 40,000 universe. After battling Orks in Space Marine 1 and facing Tyranids and Chaos in the sequel, the Necrons are the next logical adversary, and several in-game clues point to their appearance.

One mission in Space Marine 2 sets the stage by taking Titus deep into an alien planet's ancient depths, where wall markings clearly reference the Necrons. There's even a dataslate (one of the game’s audio logs) hinting that Necron constructs have been killing Techpriests. These constructs, resembling Canoptek Tomb Stalkers, can be seen scattered across the area. This sets the tone for a larger encounter with the Necrons in a future sequel.

The storyline of Space Marine 2 subtly revolves around the Necrons, with a rogue Techpriest trying to wield an ancient Necron artifact to close off the warp and nullify the influence of Chaos. While the Techpriest believes the artifact can achieve this, the Necrons may have their own plans. Given their 60-million-year slumber, it's safe to assume they’ll be quite displeased when they awaken to discover the Adeptus Mechanicus meddling with their ancient technology.

As speculation mounts, it's likely that Titus will be called back to defend the Imperium from both the Necrons and the forces of Chaos. Fans anticipate more brutal combat, exciting lore integration, and perhaps a cameo from Ultramarines Primarch Roboute Guilliman himself.

While Space Marine 3 remains a future prospect, Space Marine 2 has made an impressive impact. With over two million players, it has become the most-played Warhammer 40,000 game of all time on Steam, surpassing even some of the fastest-selling games like Doom. As the game continues to grow with post-launch updates, DLC, and class matching improvements for co-op mode, the community eagerly awaits the next chapter in this epic saga.

In the meantime, fans of Warhammer 40,000 can enjoy the ongoing success of Space Marine 2, but it’s also worth noting that the retro gaming market has its own surprises. Recently, the rare PS2 horror game Rule of Rose saw a significant price drop after unopened copies were discovered, making it more accessible to collectors and fans alike. You can read more about this intriguing development on Kizi10’s blog.

As Space Marine 2 continues to dominate the Warhammer 40,000 gaming scene, players will have to wait for a story expansion or Space Marine 3 to see if the Necrons will indeed rise from their tombs and challenge the might of the Ultramarines. Until then, the battle for the Imperium rages on, with fans eagerly looking forward to the next thrilling chapter in the Warhammer 40,000 universe.