Follow us on Google News
Get the latest updates directly in your Google News feed
Since its release,Space Marine 2has received an impressive reception. Its large player base is bolstered by strong support from Saber Interactive. It’s a success story, one that we’ve all seen many times this past year.
Perhaps what none of us would have expected, though, is that a rather interesting problem is beginning to rear its ugly mug in the game—one that another success story of the year,Helldivers 2, should be all too familiar with.
Players are starting to ignore the side content inSpace Marine 2
Let’s get one thing out of the way: although the two games are some of this year’s biggest successes,the similarities between the two titles end at a surface level.
Both games share a setting of galactic warfare, focuses on cooperative gameplay, and have a very fast-paced structure of killing hordes of monsters. But really,that’s about where the comparisons end.
However, and rather amazingly, the overlap in the cooperative side of things has also brought about a similar issue in both games, one that you really wouldn’t expect to show up inSpace Marine 2: disruptive player behavior.
Arrowhead’s video game first experienced this problem. As players grew familiar with the game’s mechanics, many began rushing through missions, skipping side objectives, and even abandoning their teammates in the middle of battles.
“He’s corrupted. You can see it on his skin”: Warhammer 40K: Space Marine 2 Branded ‘Woke’ Because it Has Black Ultramarines
Not only that, but for an online space meant for cooperation, it was demotivating to see high-level players often dominating lobbies, speed-running to the finish line, and leaving others behind.
It became a problem so big that entire teams were disbanded mid-game, either by frustrated players quitting or being kicked out by impatient teammates. This forced Arrowhead to take drastic measures to ensure that all players would properly engage with the core gameplay, which is alsowhat led to the game’s decline—more on that later.
Now, we’re seeing theproblem emerge inSpace Marine 2. Players are rushing through missions, avoiding enemy encounters, and prioritizing speed over teamwork. People are also finding themselves fighting groups of enemies by themselves, only to realize that their teammates are already halfway through the mission.
This growing trend is making it difficult for players who want to enjoy the full experience. Instead, they are forced to keep up with speedrunners who are already too bored with the game’s offerings and risk getting left behind.
CanSpace Marine 2Avoid the months of agony thatHelldivers 2faced?
There’s a lot of speculation to be made here, especially considering that there is some community overlap as well. What’s possible, if that really is the case, is that the same group of players in both games continue to cause this issue.
Many players who spent months grinding inHelldivers 2have probably now transitioned toSpace Marine 2or juggling between the two games, potentially carrying over the same habits.
This could very well explain why we’re seeing similar issues crop up in both games, particularly among higher-level players who are too unbelievably focused on efficiency rather than immersion.
Now,Arrowhead made some costly mistakes in attempting to fix this problem. Its solution was to introduce balancing changes that, while aiming to curb speed-running and sabotage this behavior, ended up frustrating a significant portion of the player base.
Space Marine 2: The 2 Needless Flaws in Bulwark Class Can be Solved With 2 Easy Fixes in Next Patch
Some of these changes made the game less enjoyable for casual players, and balancing issues persisted for months, further alienating the community. It is only now, nearly a quarter of a year later,that the game has regained its momentum.
With all that said, the hope now is that Saber Interactive will manage to avoid the same mistakes and handle the issue with a high level of nuance. Perhaps by introducing incentives for cooperative play or limiting the ability to rush through missions,Space Marine 2can maintain its success without alienating a large part of its player base.
If Saber stumbles,the game risks following in the footsteps ofHelldivers 2, which might also continue to grapple with the aftermath of its own player rebellion.
With all that said, what are your thoughts onSpace Marine 2’scurrent state? Do you find yourself ignoring objectives and enemies in the game at higher levels? Let us know in the comments below.
Akshit Dangi
Writer - Gaming
Articles Published :266
Akshit is a supposed human being and gaming writer who lurks in different corners of the internet in search of fascinating rabbit holes. Outside of that, though, you’ll most likely find him staring at a piece of art for days or completing another playthrough of Silent Hill.
