Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 has wrapped up its second year of post-launch support with two major updates that give players even more reasons to return to the game. The first is Patch 14, also known as the Confrontation Update, which brings new content to both multiplayer and cooperative modes. Shortly after that update arrived, Saber Interactive also added Steam Workshop support, opening the door for players to create and share their own mods.

The Confrontation Update puts a strong focus on the game's PvP mode, Eternal War. Players now have two new maps to fight on. The first is Sanctum, a medium-sized arena designed for more traditional multiplayer battles. The second is Facility, which Saber Interactive describes as one of the smallest and most compact PvP maps in the game.The update also gives players another reason to keep coming back to Eternal War by introducing weekly PvP rewards. Players can earn cosmetics and other in-game items by taking part in matches and completing different weekly challenges. This gives the multiplayer mode some extra goals beyond simply winning games.

For players who prefer working together against AI enemies, Patch 14 has something new as well. A dangerous enemy called the Scarab Occult Terminator Sorcerer has been added to the game's Operations mode. This powerful miniboss is designed to make some missions even more challenging and can appear during Operations.The Sorcerer has several abilities that make him a difficult opponent. He can create copies of himself, teleport across the battlefield and fire a powerful laser attack at players. These abilities mean players will need to stay alert when facing him, especially when fighting him alongside other enemies. For teams that have become comfortable with the existing Operations missions, the new enemy could provide a welcome increase in difficulty.

The latest update also brings Steam Workshop support to Space Marine 2. Since this feature is still fairly new, there are not yet huge numbers of mods available. However, players have already started creating some interesting additions to the game.One of the biggest projects is the Astartes Overhaul, which was previously available through Nexus Mods. The mod changes several parts of Operations, while also introducing new weapons and customization choices. It adds three new classes: Terminator, Chaplain and Apothecary. Players can also use new weapons, including the Assault Bolter and the Artifex Bolt Rifle, which can be equipped with optional incendiary ammunition.Many of the other early Steam Workshop mods are connected to the Astartes Overhaul. Some add extra execution animations, while others increase the size of squads, allowing players to take on missions with six or even nine Space Marines.

There are also several mods that take the game in different directions. Health on Executions, for example, changes the game's brutal finishing moves so they work more like the glory kills from Doom. Another mod, Rogue Trader Tyranids, changes the appearance of the Tyranids, making them look more like the designs seen in the older 1985 models.

With the Confrontation Update and Steam Workshop now available, Space Marine 2 has received a solid collection of new content. Between fresh PvP maps, weekly rewards, a new enemy and a growing modding scene, there is plenty for both new and returning players to explore.