Space Marine 2 confirms a second year of DLC and updates but delays new PvP mode

We're rapidly approaching Warhammer 40k Space Marine 2's first birthday, but the stellar co-op shooter is showing no signs of slowing down. It just released a huge new update as part of its Year 1 roadmap that added in the brutal Siege mode, and now developer Saber Interactive has confirmed that a second year of major updates and DLC has been given the green light. However, it's not all good news, as its new PvP mode has unfortunately suffered a setback.

At launch, Space Marine 2 already had the necessary requirements to stroll into our list of the best co-op games. A superb campaign, amazing co-op action, gorgeous graphics, and a massive arsenal of weaponry all combined to create a brilliant experience. However, not wanting to rest on its laurels, Saber has bombarded players with major updates, adding in new game modes, enemy types, weapons, customization options, and more. Siege has just arrived, and that'll keep us all entertained for a while, but it's one of the few remaining things to be added to Space Marine 2 that was on the game's initial post-launch roadmap. Thankfully, there's a lot more to come.

Saber has today confirmed that "a second year of both free and DLC content included in a new yearly season pass is on the way! This extended support to Space Marine 2 has been possible thanks to your unwavering support, so once again, thank you very much for being part of it!. Expect new PvE missions, enemies, weapons, and… more."

The studio also confirms that Update 10 has been scheduled for September to commemorate the game's first birthday, and it'll be one of SM2's biggest patches to date. It'll feature a brand-new melee weapon called the Power Axe, which will have "its own moveset [and] execution animations." A new class will also enter the fray, and Saber has confirmed that this will be the Techmarine. While no specific details about this class have been revealed yet, the Techmarines should make for a very interesting gameplay experience given their affinity for advanced technology, including augmetic prosthetics.

Despite already being a chunky patch, Update 10 is getting much bigger due to the pushback of Space Marine 2's new PvP mode. Originally slated to drop in the next major patch, Update 9, it's been delayed and rolled into this big birthday update instead. However, to combat the disappointment, Saber has at least revealed some early, exciting details about what this mode will entail - previously, it had been a mystery.

It'll take place on a brand new map and will see two teams face each other, "but it won't be Loyalist vs Chaos like in regular PvP. Instead, Chaos will face… Chaos." That's enough to get you salivating on its own, but wait 'til you hear this: you'll also be able to control a Helbrute. Oh yeah, it's mech time. With this mode's focus on all things Chaos, "new Chaos armours will also be added to the game" in Update 10.

So, even though you'll have to wait a little longer for this new PvP mode, it sounds like it's going to be worth it. Plus, it's incredibly exciting and reassuring to know that this massive anniversary update for Space Marine 2 won't be its last. With confirmation earlier this year that Space Marine 3 has been given the thumbs up, and that development has already begun, I did wonder if that would been no more resources for Space Marine 2, despite its consistently healthy player counts. Thankfully, my worries were unfounded, and we'll have plenty more to entertain us before the Space Marine 3 release date arrives in the future.

As well as sinking more hours into Space Marine 2, be sure to check out our lists of the best Warhammer 40k games and the best space games.

You can follow us on Google News for daily PC games news, reviews, and guides. We've also got a vibrant community Discord server, where you can chat about this story with members of the team and fellow readers.