Warhammer 40,000 video video games have been on a nice run these days, with the likes of Space Marine 2 main the cost of effectively-acquired, profitable titles. The not too long ago launched Space Marine – Master Crafted Edition, nonetheless, could also be Warhammer 40,000’s first online game misstep in a while.
Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine – Master Crafted Edition is a re-launch of Relic Leisure’s 2011 motion sport, Space Marine. Each Video games Workshop and writer Sega aren’t calling this a remaster. As a substitute they level to high quality-of-life and graphical enhancements “that take the Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine expertise to the subsequent degree.”
These embrace increased constancy and improved textures, 4k decision, “improved” character fashions, a modernized management scheme and interface overhaul, and remastered audio.
Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine – Master Crafted Edition launched on June 10 throughout Xbox Collection X and S and PC, and straight into Recreation Cross (there’s no phrase on a PS5 model). It’s happening higher on Recreation Cross, the place gaming is commonly extra disposable and subscribers are free to attempt video games out and discard them on a whim in the event that they don’t like what they see. On Steam, nonetheless, the place Space Marine – Master Crafted Edition prices $39.99 / £34.99, it’s getting destroyed.
Space Marine – Master Crafted Edition at the moment has a ‘principally unfavourable’ consumer evaluate score on Valve’s platform. Complaints revolve across the excessive worth of the sport relative to the adjustments it makes over the Anniversary Edition, and, on these adjustments, bemusement in response to what many imagine is worse usability.
This, coupled with struggles to seek out others to play with on-line, has triggered some to name Space Marine – Master Crafted Edition a “money seize.”
“I used to be very excited for the thought of this being up to date however actually? I desire the older model,” reads one unfavourable Steam consumer evaluate. “It feels higher and appears higher. Why could not this simply be an replace or one thing? And for the worth tag it simply feels very meh. And that is considered one of my all time favorite video games too. Simply gonna set up the older model and play by that.”
“Too dangerous, I actually needed to play this sport,” reads one other. “No gamers in PvP multiplayer. No gamers in co-op Exterminatus horde mode. FOV downside, aiming down sight makes 1000000x zoom. No choice to alter FOV. Perhaps get it on sale after upgrades and updates and dealing enabled crossplay matchmaking. Refunded, sadly.”
“I purchased and get refund” stated one disgruntled buyer. “Purchase the Anniversary Edition, it is virtually the identical however it is not a money seize (round 7€ for a key).”
“Look how they massacred my boy,” declared one other.
It’s a related sentiment throughout social media, Discords, and subreddits. “Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine Master Crafted Edition is a mess,” said redditor KitsuneLynx, highlighting issues even on Xbox.
“This sport got here out a few days in the past and has proven itself to be an absolute mess and disappointment. Once I heard this remake was popping out, I used to be so hyped, I used to be curious what they’d do and was excited to play it on Xbox after having performed it on PC a whereas again. I used to be dissatisfied to say the least.
“This sport is a buggy, janky mess that did not trouble to repair something and as an alternative made a worse UI, odd visible adjustments, and so on. Why make the Orks all Goffs now? The colours helped acknowledge every unit, now all of them mix collectively to the purpose it is laborious to decipher which is which. WHERE ARE THE DEDICATED SERVERS? To not point out the NEW jank and bugs that got here with this launch that weren’t current within the earlier remaster. It did not trouble to repair the jank or make the sport really feel revitalized, this IS the definition of a lazy money seize. Charging this sport for 40+ USD is felony.
“Crossplay is off by default which simply results in the sport taking pictures itself within the foot in relation to vacant servers. My spouse additionally simply skilled a bug which is extra frequent than it needs to be the place once you boot up the sport, there may be a probability on your save file to deprave and reset ALL OF YOUR PROGRESS. Why hasn’t this sport acquired a patch but? I can not think about all the opposite bugs I have not seen but.
“In case you’re planning on enjoying this sport, both get it on Recreation Cross or look forward to a sale and mega patch, in any other case keep on Space Marine 2 or play the remaster on PC.”
It’s value noting that there are gamers who’re having a affordable time with the sport, though anecdotally most of them seem like on Recreation Cross. Equally, those that have by no means performed Space Marine earlier than appear to be having fun with experiencing the occasions that lead into final 12 months’s blockbuster hit, Space Marine 2. Steam, then, seems to be the point of interest of the backlash.
The hope is that Sega will announce incoming enhancements sooner quite than later, as Space Marine is usually remembered fondly by those that performed it again within the day. In 2025, with Warhammer 40,000 on the peak of its reputation and with a flood of newcomers sparked by the success of Space Marine 2, it’s vital Space Marine will get it proper. The Inquisition, in any case, is at all times watching.
Wesley is Director, Information at IGN. Discover him on Twitter at @wyp100. You may attain Wesley at wesley_yinpoole@ign.com or confidentially at wyp100@proton.me.