April 1 has come and gone, marking the end of another round of April Fool's Day pranks in the video game industry. Yet, the playful jest from the developers of Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 is likely to stick around in fans' memories for a bit longer.
Just yesterday, Space Marine 2's publisher, Focus Entertainment, announced a new Chaplain class as DLC, supposedly set for release on April 1. "In story mode, swap out Titus for The Chaplain and experience the game as a true Codex-compliant Ultramarine," they quipped, undoubtedly with a chuckle behind their screens.
This faux 'DLC' was said to introduce the Chaplain as a new playable character in the story mode, complete with an 'Enhanced Dialogue System.' This system would have the Chaplain remind everyone every five minutes that "the Codex Astartes does not support this action," and "I’m telling the Inquisition."
The Chaplain was even equipped with a special ability called Discipline, which supposedly allowed for the instant reporting of any minor deviations from the Codex Astartes, granting a 5% discipline bonus at the cost of a -20% brotherhood bonus.
The humor in this prank resonates well with fans familiar with Space Marine 2's campaign, where Chaplain Quintus scrutinizes Titus' actions with a hawk-like suspicion for signs of heresy, despite Titus' unwavering loyalty to the Imperium, the Ultramarines, and the Emperor.
Throughout the campaign, as Titus fights against the Tyranids and the traitorous Thousand Sons legion, it becomes evident that there's something unique about him, which Chaplain Quintus finds deeply unsettling. He's akin to an overzealous school prefect, always on the lookout for the slightest hint of misconduct, ready to report any infraction to the authorities. It's no wonder the Chaplain has become a meme within the Space Marine community, a sentiment the April Fool's gag cleverly taps into.
Some fans have expressed genuine interest in seeing the Chaplain added to the game, not necessarily with the humorous skill set from the prank, but as a serious warrior-priest dedicated to the Emperor's veneration.
"This would actually go hard if this was real," commented ResidentDrama9739 on the Space Marine subreddit, sparking a wave of discussions about how the Chaplain could be integrated into the game. Enthusiasm is palpable among the community.
While the Chaplain's April Fool's spotlight was fun, Space Marine 2 is indeed set to receive a new class soon. Although Focus and developer Saber Interactive have kept details under wraps, speculation abounds. Many believe it could be the Apothecary, serving as a medic-like role for Space Marines, while others hope for the Librarian, promising exciting warp-powered space magic. Does the Chaplain's recent comedic appearance rule him out?
Despite the unexpected announcement that development on Space Marine 3 has begun, Space Marine 2's roadmap for the first year continues, with Patch 7 slated for mid-April. In the coming months, players can look forward to the new class, additional PvE operations, and new melee weapons.
The world of Space Marine 2 remains vibrant and full of anticipation for what's next.
