The first major update forWarhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2should have been an exciting moment for the game, but controversial changes have generated swift and heavy backlash instead. At launch,Space Marine 2met with a positive reception overall, delivering an experience that largely honored whatWarhammer 40,000fans loved. The release of Update 4.0, the first major content addition to the game, followed the announcement of a roadmap for the game’s future that promised Update 4.0’s most exciting features and plans for future content in 2024 and 2025.
The negative community reaction toSpace Marine 2’s Update 4.0 is exemplified in a Reddit post fromOld_Competition8765, who complains about heavy nerfs that make it much harder to effectively combat the game’s enemies. In addition to its distinct new Lethal difficulty mode,Update 4.0 raises the challenge across the board, reducing armor on certain settings, lowering the bonus damage that can be dealt to bosses, and more.
Space Marine 2’s changes were made in response to developer Saber Interactive’s sense that Patch 2 had made co-op Operations too easy, but the company acknowledged the need to monitor how much the difficulty shifted with the new changes in theSteampatch notes. PublisherFocus Entertainmenthas now responded to the backlash in an official statement on Twitter and promised an update reworking balance in the next week.
Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 Update 4.0 Makes Some Fans Very Upset
More Challenge Isn’t Always More Fun
Nerfs are never as exciting as buffs, but they don’t always incite the same kind of negativity that thechanges inSpace Marine 2’s Update 4.0have. The influx of over a thousand negative Steam reviews since the update, reported byIGN, managed to drop the game from the low end of the"Very Positive" rating bracket to a"Mostly Positive" consensus, a change that could easily cause potential buyers to pause.
There’s One Huge Way Space Marine 2 Improved Over Its Predecessor
Space Marine 2 has proven to be everything fans wanted by evolving a number of key features from its predecessor, and this is seen in one notable way.
The situation echoes similar responses tonerfs in the popular PvE titleHelldivers 2earlier this year. Although nerfs often target currently overpowered options to hopefully raise the variety in weapon choice and clever strategy, detractors generally argue that heavy nerfs ultimately force players to stick to pre-defined metas instead.
Focus Entertainment Addresses Review Bomb
Changes Are Definitely Coming
Focus Entertainment’s response to the backlash shows that the company is listening to fans, at any rate, and it’s likely thatSpace Marine 2willregain some of its power fantasy appealsoon. The community reaction hasn’t been universally negative, and a Reddit post fromJockstrapJayZmakes the case that the difficulty difference isn’t as extreme as claimed.
Considering Saber’s initial commitment to monitoring feedback in the patch notes and ultimately quick response, review bombing may not have been the best approach to constructive criticism. The majority of the community didn’t engage in the practice, however, largely turning to platforms like Reddit to share their frustrations. Regardless, those who found theWarhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2update too frustrating can take a break for a few days and hopefully check back in next week for a more enjoyable experience.
Sources: Reddit (Old_Competition8765,JockstrapJayZ),Steam,Focus Entertainment,IGN
Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine II
The galaxy is once again plunged into chaos as Lieutenant Titus returns to battle the relentless Tyranid swarm. With unmatched power and brutal combat skills, he leads the Ultramarines in a desperate fight for survival against overwhelming odds, showcasing the grim reality of endless war in the Warhammer 40,000 universe.
