"Space Marine 2 Devs' April Fool's Joke Sparks Fan Excitement"

April 1st has come and gone, and with it, the gaming world's annual tradition of April Fool's Day pranks. Yet, the playful jest from the creators of Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 is one that might linger in fans' minds a bit longer.

On April 1st, Focus Entertainment, the publisher behind Space Marine 2, announced a new Chaplain class as downloadable content (DLC). They cheekily stated, "In story mode, swap out Titus for The Chaplain and experience the game as a true Codex-compliant Ultramarine," clearly enjoying their own humor.

This faux DLC was said to introduce the Chaplain as a playable character in the story mode, complete with an 'Enhanced Dialogue System.' This feature would have the Chaplain, every five minutes, remind others that "the Codex Astartes does not support this action," and threaten to report to the Inquisition. Additionally, the Chaplain's special ability, 'Discipline,' supposedly allowed him to report any minor deviations from the Codex Astartes for a small discipline bonus, at the cost of a significant brotherhood penalty.

The humor in this prank stems from the game's campaign where Chaplain Quintus scrutinizes protagonist Titus for any hint of heresy, despite Titus's unwavering loyalty to the Imperium, the Ultramarines, and the Emperor. Throughout the game, as Titus fights against the Tyranids and the Thousand Sons traitor legion, Quintus's constant vigilance and readiness to report any non-conformity to higher authorities have turned him into a figure of ridicule among the community, much like an overzealous school prefect.

This April Fool's gag taps into the meme status of the Chaplain within the Space Marine community. However, some fans have expressed a genuine desire for a Chaplain class to be added to the game, not with the satirical abilities but as a dedicated warrior-priest who emphasizes the veneration of the Emperor.

On a subreddit dedicated to Space Marine, fans like ResidentDrama9739 have voiced their excitement, suggesting that a real Chaplain class "would actually go hard." The discussions are buzzing with ideas on how such a class might fit into the game.

Meanwhile, Space Marine 2 is set to introduce a new class soon, though details remain under wraps. Speculation suggests it could be the Apothecary, akin to a medic class, or perhaps the Librarian, bringing warp-powered space magic into play. The April Fool's joke about the Chaplain has sparked curiosity about whether this character could still make an appearance.

Despite the unexpected news of Space Marine 3 entering development, Space Marine 2 continues to evolve. The year one roadmap is still in place, with Patch 7 scheduled for mid-April. In the coming months, players can look forward to the new class, additional PvE operations, and new melee weapons.