The Illuminate threat has been advancing toward Super Earth, and now the planet faces its toughest challenge yet. The latest Heart of Democracy update raises the stakes with urban combat as Helldivers 2 sees a resurgence in players. The chaotic battles now resemble a mix of War of the Worlds and Halo 3: ODST, with intense firefights erupting across city streets.
The invasion requires players to activate massive cannons to destroy Illuminate ships while coordinating with AI-controlled SEAF troopers patrolling Mega City. Civilians scramble for safety, adding another layer of tension—players must protect them while avoiding accidental friendly fire, which comes with severe penalties.
A revitalised battlefield with new allies
After a quieter period, Helldivers 2 reignited player interest with last week’s major patch, introducing weapon customisation, new melee weapons, and significant arsenal rebalancing. The update has drawn thousands back, with concurrent player numbers soaring past 100,000 on Steam, where the most dedicated recruits gather.
The addition of AI-controlled SEAF troopers has been a major highlight. After over a year of battling alien hordes alone or in small squads, players now fight alongside NPC allies as part of Super Earth’s defences. These troops assist in taking down towering Illuminate tripods, unlocking weapon caches, and even offering salutes mid-battle. Though designed as expendable, players have taken to protecting them as if their survival depends on it.