Space Marine 2 Patch Reinstates Features Following Fan Outcry

In response to widespread fan backlash, Space Marine 2 is set to roll out hotfix 4.1, reverting controversial gameplay changes introduced in last week's Patch 4.0. Saber Interactive, the game's developers, have also announced plans to launch Public Test Servers in early 2025 to better engage with the community and refine game balance.

Changes Will Be Reverted Starting October 24

Patch 4.1, scheduled for release on October 24, aims to address the community's most pressing concerns regarding the balance changes made in Patch 4.0. Game Director Dmitriy Grigorenko acknowledged the feedback since the update last Thursday, stating, "We’ve been monitoring your feedback since last Thursday’s Patch 4.0 and have decided to address your most pressing concerns with a new balancing update, coming this Thursday." He further emphasized the importance of community input by announcing the upcoming Public Test Servers.

The backlash from the community was significant, with Space Marine 2 receiving negative reviews on Steam. One review humorously likened the situation to the Helldivers 2 controversy, suggesting that Saber Interactive had not learned from previous developer missteps.

In their community update, Saber Interactive explained that the intention behind Patch 4.0 was to increase game difficulty by adjusting enemy spawn rates rather than simply increasing enemy health. However, these changes inadvertently affected easier difficulty levels, causing frustration among players.

With the upcoming hotfix, several gameplay elements will be adjusted back to their pre-Patch 4.0 states. Specifically, Extremis enemies' spawn rates will be reverted on Minimal, Average, and Substantial difficulties, and significantly reduced on Ruthless difficulty. Additionally, player armor will receive a 10% increase at the Ruthless difficulty, and bots will deal 30% more damage to bosses.

Hotfix 4.1 will also introduce substantial buffs to Bolt weapons, which have been underperforming across all difficulty levels. Here are the detailed changes:

• Auto Bolt Rifle: Damage increased by 20%
• Bolt Rifle: Damage increased by 10%
• Heavy Bolt Rifle: Damage increased by 15%
• Stalker Bolt Rifle: Damage increased by 10%
• Marksman Bolt Carbine: Damage increased by 10%
• Instigator Bolt Carbine: Damage increased by 10%
• Bolt Sniper Rifle: Damage increased by 12.5%
• Bolt Carbine: Damage increased by 15%
• Occulus Bolt Carbine: Damage increased by 15%
• Heavy Bolter: Damage increased by 5%

Game Director Grigorenko assured players that the team will continue to monitor feedback post-Patch 4.1 to ensure that the Lethal difficulty remains both challenging and rewarding.