In recent months, players of Helldivers 2 have found themselves at a crossroads as the relentless spread of the Meridia Singularity threatens Super Earth by devouring vulnerable planets in its path. As the Galactic War rages on, a challenge has emerged for Arrowhead: gamers seem to be shying away from engaging with the game’s third faction, the ominous, squid-like Illuminate.
The arrival of the Illuminate was nothing short of dramatic, storming into the galaxy’s southern quadrant after a surprise announcement at the close of The Game Awards 2024. Unlike the Terminids, characterized by their aggressive melee swarms and hefty units, or the Automatons who favor ranged attacks with artillery, lasers, and flamethrowers, the Illuminate offer a different flavor. They sit comfortably between the two with their zombie-like Voteless, who are fragile yet overwhelming in numbers, and the intimidating War of the Worlds-inspired Harvesters.
Initially, this new alien menace offered a fresh twist, injecting a dose of mystery and excitement into the gameplay. Their invasion theme felt novel, positioning them as the gravest threat with two planets already obliterated and Super Earth within their sights. Players were intrigued, eagerly diving into battles on new urban maps to take on the squid-like adversaries.
However, there’s a hitch: the Illuminate feels incomplete. Their unit roster is noticeably leaner compared to the bots and bugs factions. Of course, the storyline rationalizes this, portraying them as a vanguard force leading the charge before heavier reinforcements. Yet for the players, this means combat with the Illuminate lacks variety and is not quite as challenging as with the Terminids or Automatons. Moreover, urban maps are no longer their exclusive domain—now cities are battlegrounds for all factions.
The lack of territory control by the Illuminate adds another layer of complexity. Battling them hinges on participating in time-limited defense missions over planets. Once either side clinches victory or time runs out, the Illuminate vanish, reappearing later in a different sector. This setup demands precise timing and coordination, which can be tricky. Most players prefer the thrill of other battlefronts against more engaging foes.
Fortunately, there’s hope on the horizon. Arrowhead has a knack for spicing up the gameplay by introducing new alien units. We’ve previously seen new additions like the flying Terminid Shriekers and the formidable Automaton Factory Striders. Arrowhead has also rolled out short-lived enemy variants that significantly alter the gameplay. For instance, the already menacing Stalker becomes even more threatening when the Predator Strain releases mutant packs of them. The Automatons, too, have recently received a substantial enhancement, with larger, more resilient fabricators, a new Incineration Brigade, and Factory Striders wielding Stratagem Jammers.
Currently, Major Orders focus on the Meridia Singularity, led by the Illuminate, but Arrowhead seems to realize the importance of variety. Recent orders have shifted attention back to the original pairs of factions. Initially, the Terminids were perceived as the easier challenge, while the Automatons didn’t quite capture players’ hearts. It seems likely that as Arrowhead continues to tweak these dynamics, the Illuminate will eventually carve out a unique role. For the time being, though, they remain somewhat limited and too similar within the game. I’m eagerly awaiting their equivalent of a Bile Titan. Meanwhile, I’m setting my sights on the more established challenges posed by the bots and bugs.
