Space Marine 2 Update Reverses Controversial Changes

Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2's Patch 4.0 nerfs are being rolled back after player outcry. A hotfix, 4.1, will revert the changes, and public test servers are planned for early 2025.

Hotfix 4.1 Reverses Controversial Nerfs

Following significant negative feedback and review bombing on Steam, developer Saber Interactive announced a swift course correction. Patch 4.1, launching October 24th, undoes the "most pressing" balance adjustments from Patch 4.0. These changes, initially intended to increase difficulty by boosting enemy numbers, inadvertently made lower difficulties too challenging.

Game director Dmitriy Grigorenko stated the decision to revert the nerfs was a direct response to player feedback. The introduction of public test servers, slated for early 2025, aims to prevent similar situations in the future.

The criticism highlighted the impact of the nerfs, with many players comparing the situation unfavorably to other games' controversial balancing updates. Saber Interactive clarified that Patch 4.0 aimed to address feedback regarding the game's perceived ease, even on the highest difficulty. However, the increased enemy spawns negatively affected lower difficulty levels.

Key Changes in Hotfix 4.1:

• Enemy Spawns: Extremis enemy spawn rates are being reduced across all difficulties except Ruthless, returning to pre-Patch 4.0 levels. Ruthless difficulty will see a significant reduction.
• Ruthless Difficulty Adjustments: Player armor increased by 10%, and bot damage to bosses increased by 30%.
• Bolt Weapon Buffs: Significant damage increases across the Bolt weapon family:
  • Auto Bolt Rifle: +20%
  • Bolt Rifle: +10%
  • Heavy Bolt Rifle: +15%
  • Stalker Bolt Rifle: +10%
  • Marksman Bolt Carbine: +10%
  • Instigator Bolt Carbine: +10%
  • Bolt Sniper Rifle: +12.5%
  • Bolt Carbine: +15%
  • Occulus Bolt Carbine: +15%
  • Heavy Bolter: +5% (x2)

Grigorenko confirmed that continued monitoring of player feedback will ensure the "Lethal" difficulty remains appropriately challenging. The introduction of public test servers signals a commitment to more collaborative balancing updates moving forward.