April Fool's Joke Turns Serious: Fans Want It in Warhammer 40K: Space Marine 2

April 1st has come and gone, marking the end of another year of playful pranks in the video game industry. However, the April Fool's gag from the team behind Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 might just linger in fans' minds a bit longer.

On April 1st, Focus Entertainment, the publisher of Space Marine 2, announced a new Chaplain class as a supposed DLC release. "In story mode, swap out Titus for The Chaplain and experience the game as a true Codex-compliant Ultramarine," Focus cheekily declared, likely stifling laughter behind their screens.

This faux DLC was said to introduce the Chaplain as a playable character in the story mode, complete with an 'Enhanced Dialogue System.' Every five minutes, the Chaplain would remind his comrades that "the Codex Astartes does not support this action," and threaten to report them to the Inquisition. Additionally, the Chaplain's special ability, 'Discipline,' would allow him to report any minor deviations from the Codex Astartes, granting a 5% discipline bonus at the cost of a 20% brotherhood penalty.

The humor in this prank resonates deeply with players familiar with the game's campaign, where Chaplain Quintus scrutinizes protagonist Titus for any signs of heresy, despite Titus's unwavering loyalty to the Imperium, the Ultramarines, and the Emperor. Throughout the battle against the Tyranids and the Thousand Sons, Quintus's vigilance over Titus hints at something unique about the latter, which only fuels the Chaplain's distrust.

Chaplain Quintus's role has turned him into a meme within the Space Marine community, and this April Fool's jest plays directly into that reputation. Interestingly, some fans have expressed a genuine desire for the Chaplain to be added to the game as a warrior-priest who upholds the veneration of the Emperor.

"This would actually go hard if this was real," remarked ResidentDrama9739 on the Space Marine subreddit, where the community buzzed with excitement over the Chaplain and speculated on how he might fit into the game.

Space Marine 2 is indeed set to introduce a new class soon, though Focus and developer Saber Interactive have kept details under wraps. While many speculate it could be the Apothecary, akin to a medic class, others hope for the mystical Librarian class with its warp-powered abilities. The Chaplain's spotlight in the April Fool's prank might suggest his inclusion is less likely, but fans remain hopeful.

Despite the unexpected announcement of Space Marine 3's 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.