Helldivers 2 Gamers Weary of Battling Elusive Squids

Over the last several months, Helldivers 2 players have faced some hefty decisions as the Meridia Singularity progresses, leaving a path of destruction across hapless planets and threatening the stability of Super Earth. While the Galactic War carries on, Arrowhead Studios has hit a snag: Gamers aren’t exactly thrilled about taking on the third faction, the eerie and tentacled Illuminate.

The Illuminate burst onto the scene rather dramatically, taking over the southern quadrant of the galaxy following an unexpected reveal at The Game Awards near the end of 2024. With the Terminids showcasing brutal, heavy-hitting units and swarming melee aliens, and the Automatons focusing on long-range combat with their artillery, lasers, and flamethrowers, the Illuminate offer a median experience. They send forth hordes of zombies called Voteless, who, while easily defeated, appear in overwhelming numbers. Adding to the threat are the armored Overseers sporting assorted weaponry, and the intimidating Harvesters, which look like they’ve walked straight out of a War of the Worlds scene.

Their addition provides a refreshing alien invasion experience, distinct from the familiar Starship Troopers and Terminator-effected factions. Initially, players were keen to dive into new urban landscapes and tackle this new cephalopod challenge. In terms of the overarching story, they’re undeniably the most formidable adversary, having already decimated two planets with Super Earth looming as their next target!

Yet, a crucial issue is that the Illuminate are essentially a partial faction. Compared to the bots and bugs, their lineup is sparse. This is explained in the lore as them being a vanguard force, scouting out the galaxy for future, mightier reinforcements. However, this results in encounters with them becoming repetitive, making them considerably less challenging than facing the Terminids or Automatons. Moreover, cities are no longer their sole battlefield; all three factions now engage in urban warfare.

Adding to the predicament, the Illuminate don’t claim territory. The only chance to confront them is through defense missions on a planet, which only last a day. Post-mission, whether players succeed or the time lapses, the Illuminate withdraw, resurfacing in another sector later. Completing a Major Order demanding players fend off a series of Illuminate attacks requires precise timing and coordination. Not everyone is eager to get in line for this duty, especially when more engaging battles await elsewhere.

On the flip side, Arrowhead has shown prowess in spicing up the alien factions by introducing fresh units. New adversaries have stealthily joined the fray, like the flying Terminid Shriekers and the menacing Automaton Factory Striders. Short-term variants of familiar foes come into play, effectively changing the dynamics, like the Predator Strain unleashing mutated packs of the dangerous Stalkers. Recently, Automatons received substantial upgrades, featuring tougher fabricators, a fearsome Incineration Brigade, and the dreaded Factory Striders equipped with Stratagem Jammers.

Currently, Major Orders focus on confronting the Meridia Singularity under the Illuminate’s control, though Arrowhead seems to understand that variety keeps the game exciting. Recent Major Orders have focused heavily on the original two factions. When the game first launched, the Terminids were viewed as the simpler foe, while Automatons didn’t enjoy great popularity. It seems likely that Arrowhead’s continuous efforts to tweak and rebalance the game will eventually allow the Illuminate to stand out. For the time being, however, they’re just not offering enough diversity. I’m eager to see their concept of a Bile Titan, but until then, I’ll be battling the trusty old bots and bugs.