After an intense review-bombing run from Steam users and backlash over the most recent widespread nerfs, Space Marine 2 developers have finally acknowledged the player “feedback.” They have retracted the nerfs from Update 4.0. As a bonus, the devs will also throw in something that will prevent similar outrages from happening. Space Marine 2‘s game director also has something to say on the matter of the recent nerfs.
“The key takeaway for me, personally, is that I forgot that once the game comes out, it’s no longer a dev’s game. It’s yours first and foremost,” says Dmitriy Grigorenko, Space Marine 2 game director. That was his message to fans of his widely successful Warhammer 40K game after disgruntled players acted out as a protest against the blanket nerfs. Update 4.1 has since reverted most of the nerfs.
In addition to the rollback and re-balancing, Saber Interactive, Space Marine 2‘s development studio, will also later introduce Public Test Servers (PTS). This pocket server will allow players to test out upcoming major balance changes (nerfs and buffs) before they’re implemented in the main server. The idea is to gain feedback from actual players on what to adjust. The PTS thus allows the developers to avoid another backlash.
PTS for Space Marine 2 Won’t Be Here This Year Though
The PTS, however, won’t be here until early 2025. Until then, the players will need to communicate with hopefully less fanatical and inquisitorial criticism regarding dramatic changes.
In any case, the goal of Update 4.1 is to make PvE Operations easier and more enjoyable. The development team did this by buffing weapons and Space Marine stats, and nerfing enemies. Some unwanted mechanics have also been removed.
Additionally, the poorly received Lethal Difficulty is getting an overhaul, with the Tight Formation system getting axed (or chainsworded). And wouldn’t you know it, the review-bombers on Steam have already eased up on the protest. Some have even turned their reviews back to positive shortly after Update 4.1.
