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

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

Yesterday, Space Marine 2's publisher, Focus Entertainment, announced a new Chaplain class supposedly set to be released as DLC on April 1. "In story mode, swap out Titus for The Chaplain and experience the game as a true Codex-compliant Ultramarine," they teased, likely chuckling behind their screens.

This faux 'DLC' promised a new playable character in the story mode, complete with an 'Enhanced Dialogue System.' Every five minutes, the Chaplain would remind everyone that "the Codex Astartes does not support this action," and "I’m telling the Inquisition." The Chaplain also came equipped with a special ability called Discipline, which would report any deviations from the Codex Astartes for a small discipline bonus at the cost of a significant brotherhood penalty.

The humor stems from the fact that players of Space Marine 2's campaign will remember Chaplain Quintus, who scrutinizes protagonist Titus for any signs of heresy despite his unwavering loyalty to the Imperium, the Ultramarines, and the Emperor. As Titus fights against the Tyranids and the Thousand Sons, it's clear he's special, and Quintus, ever the watchful guardian, is akin to a strict school prefect, quick to report any misbehavior.

The Chaplain has become a meme within the Space Marine community, a fact the April Fool's joke capitalized on. Some fans have expressed a genuine desire for the Chaplain to be added to the game, not with the humorous skill set, but as a formidable warrior-priest who upholds the Emperor's veneration.

"This would actually go hard if this was real," commented ResidentDrama9739 on the Space Marine subreddit, sparking enthusiastic discussions about how the Chaplain could enhance the game. Meanwhile, Space Marine 2 is set to introduce a new class soon, though details are sparse. Speculation leans towards an Apothecary or a Librarian, the latter bringing warp-powered space magic into play. Does the Chaplain's April Fool's spotlight rule him out?

Amidst the buzz, Space Marine 2 continues to evolve. Despite the unexpected announcement of Space Marine 3's development, Space Marine 2's year one roadmap persists, with Patch 7 slated for mid-April. Fans can also look forward to the new class, additional PvE operations, and new melee weapons in the coming months.