My first dives in Helldivers 2’s Illuminate Super Earth invasion were a brutal, chaotic disaster, and the Halo ODST in me loved every second of it

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Despite tireless efforts by many of Lady Liberty’s bravest for months on end, an unprecedented event has transpired: the Illuminate have successfully reached Super Earth in Helldivers 2. They are now preparing to set foot on the very core of Managed Democracy with a colossal invasion fleet. Although initial counterattacks by the Helldivers have diminished the fleet’s power by 21.5%, the rest of their forces are storming into Super Earth’s heavily fortified megacities, with Eagleopolis being their main objective.

Absolutely, the fight for Super Earth has commenced in earnest, starting with today’s Heart of Democracy update, which unveiled missions set entirely within Mega City. I gave it a spin a couple of times last night before calling it a day and then again this afternoon to explore them. Wow, they are truly extraordinary!

Upon exiting my transport pod for the first time during deployment, I was instantly awestruck by the sheer size of these colossal cities, boasting intricate networks of roads and lanes, towering skyscrapers adorned with neon lights that seemed to overshadow any urban landscapes we were accustomed to. It was challenging not to be spellbound by this grandeur, scrutinizing each minute detail. However, the foreboding fog and a backdrop of battling Super Destroyers and Illuminate motherships served as grim reminders that I had indeed stepped into a war zone.

Initially, what caught my attention were the distant clashes of battle, surprisingly, as I hadn’t sent out an SOS signal for backup from a match-made team yet. Intrigued, I dashed towards the noise, and to my surprise, I witnessed a sizable group of SEAF marines fiercely engaging a horde of Voteless zombies to safeguard civilians. They erupted in cheers upon spotting a Helldiver, and I returned their salute – a gesture that they reciprocated harmoniously. To my joy, they started trailing behind me like lost ducklings when I gave the “Follow Me” order.

Across the map, you might encounter both military personnel and armed civilians who can join your efforts dynamically. This additional support significantly boosts your chances compared to regular missions where it’s just you and your team. However, let me clarify that these levels are far from easy; in fact, I’ve observed that the Illuminate often sends a larger number of forces than typical to counteract your advantage.

In addition to the ongoing conflict, the squids have unveiled a formidable new warship known as Leviathans. These colossal, heavily armored aircraft bear an uncanny resemblance to the MCU’s Chitauri Leviathans from The Avengers and the Battle of New York. Towering above the battlefield, they demolish buildings with ease and rain down fiery destruction on any humans within range using heavy plasma launchers. A single Leviathan required all my Recoilless Rifle rockets to bring it down, crashing onto a horde of both SEAF soldiers and Voteless before detonating in a spectacular explosion.

In the past 500 hours of combat duty, the latest additions to the Illuminate roster, Leviathans, SEAF fireteams, and frantic civilians running amok have made the skirmishes I’ve had in Eagleopolis streets the most tumultuous I’ve encountered. To be honest, they’ve been exhilarating, particularly at the highest Super Helldive level of difficulty where precision and strategic thinking on the fly are crucial, as well as seamless cooperation with my teammates. I’ve never felt more invested in Helldivers 2 than I do now during this struggle.

For me, the cherry on top is the inclusion of two fresh mission objectives. The first one, humorously reflecting Helldivers 2’s satire of military authoritarianism, involves unearthing an orbital defense cannon concealed beneath a playground for children. As a team, you then coordinate to point and fire this cannon at an Illuminate mothership, all while avoiding being swarmed by hordes of aliens. Additionally, you have the option to obliterate other targets, like enemy Leviathans and dropships, if you so desire.

As an analyst, I’d rephrase it like this: In this game, I’m engaged in a swift, tug-of-war-like challenge. My mission is to destroy Illuminate ships aiming to land and conquer a city sector. I must employ my finest anti-armor tactics and eliminate anything that soars towards me as quickly as possible.

Generally speaking, these settings are oppressive, tense, and teeming with chances for chaotic and violent urban combat against a powerful alien enemy. The Halo enthusiast in me is instantly reminded of 2009’s Halo 3: ODST – an unforgettable spin-off that swapped the perspective of the super-soldier, Master Chief, for that of ordinary marines struggling to resist the onslaught of invading alien troops.

In this game, Helldivers 2 successfully embodies the frenetic energy of its predecessor and amplifies it significantly, offering some of the most unpredictable, thrilling, and anarchic science fiction shooting experiences in the market. On a side note, I’d hate to admit it to my Democracy Officer, but I might be a little disheartened when these missions come to an end (assuming the squid invasion can be successfully repelled).

As a gaming analyst, I can confidently say that Helldivers 2 holds a prominent position among both PC and PS5 games, particularly appealing to those who enjoy cooperative shooters, high-octane sci-fi action, humorous physics, and satirical writing. Normally priced at $40, you can often find it for less if you keep an eye out for discounts. At the moment, the most attractive deal is offered by CDKeys, where they’ve slashed over $12 off the price, enabling you to grab this explosive game for approximately $28.

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2025-05-21 01:09