Space Marine 2 recently unveiled its 7.0 “Trygon Update,” which has sparked quite a buzz among gamers. This update introduces the thrilling Tyranid hunting mission dubbed “Exfiltration” and delivers a slew of enhancements across the game. Each class now boasts an expanded arsenal, weapon perks have undergone a significant overhaul, and to sweeten the deal, the Space Wolves and Imperial Fists have received new champion packs.
Among the most notable shifts in the player-versus-environment (PVE) mode is the introduction of Prestige Ranks. These ranks provide fresh challenges and rewards for players who’ve maxed out their classes. Players can unlock these rewards by resetting a class to level 1 and then leveling it back to 25, which can be done up to three times. With this, they can have four Prestige perks active simultaneously. However, some players are divided over this addition, worried it may signal how Saber intends to support Space Marine 2 moving forward.
Following a strong launch in September 2024, Space Marine 2 has seen its player base gradually decline—a typical trajectory for games centered around single-player campaigns. Though post-launch content tends to bring back players temporarily, the game has faced challenges keeping its most dedicated fans engaged, even after adding two new difficulty levels to cater to them.
A growing concern for the game’s longevity in PVE is class progression. Since the game’s debut, classes cap at level 25, with only weapon leveling available beyond that. This often leads to a plateau where, despite the initial enjoyment of playing a max-level class, players might find the repeated missions lacking in excitement without new unlockables.
In response, Saber tested Prestige Ranks on a public server before their official debut in the Trygon Update. Now, classes can be reset and leveled four times, acquiring a total of 29 perks along the way. This system aims to reignite enthusiasm among seasoned players by offering them a new set of rewards to pursue.
However, not everyone is thrilled with the Prestige Ranks. Some players argue that the grind for these rewards doesn’t justify the effort. Resetting a character completely is a significant commitment and might not appeal to everyone. To ease the process, each reset increases XP gains by 10%, though this hasn’t fully addressed concerns. Some players feel that certain classes receive overpowered perks, while others lack adequate incentives.
Saber has clarified that it doesn’t intend for Prestige to be the default choice for all players, acknowledging that not everyone will want or need to reset. Yet, by introducing Prestige Ranks, Saber might be setting an unfortunate precedent for their content strategy. While Prestige offers a new layer of engagement, its reliance on repeated leveling can come across as filling time rather than enriching the game—which is a tactic best avoided.
Developers face the perpetual challenge of providing enough content to hold players’ interests. But merely increasing grind isn’t a sustainable solution. Fans appreciate that Space Marine 2 respects their time by not being a live-service game, which is why this added grind feels counterproductive. The game’s PVP mode is already sluggish in progression and is crying out for fresh content more than its PVE counterpart, regardless of the new missions’ quality.
The idea of Prestige Ranks is well-intentioned, but its execution could use some refinement. The updates so far have been consistent but modest, enhancing the player experience and adding a few new elements to the mix. Yet, to captivate endgame players, Saber will eventually need to deliver more substantial content. Introducing a new faction through a DLC might be just the thing to satisfy many in the Space Marine 2 community.
