In recent months, players diving into Helldivers 2 have had their share of tough calls. The relentless march of the Meridia Singularity across Super Earth continues to gobble up planets in its path. While the Galactic War rages on, Arrowhead developers have found themselves facing a unique challenge: players aren’t too keen on going toe-to-toe with the game’s eerie third faction, the squid-like Illuminate.
The Illuminate made quite a dramatic entrance, initially stirring excitement when they invaded the galaxy’s southern quadrant after a surprise announcement at the 2024 Game Awards. Contrasting styles make the existing factions unique; Terminids are known for their brute-force approach with swarms of melee aliens, whereas Automatons strike from a distance using artillery, lasers, and flamethrowers. The Illuminate, however, nestle right in between. They come with swarms of weak Voteless zombies, commanding armored Overseers with versatile weaponry, and having intimidating Harvesters that are straight out of a War of the Worlds-esque nightmare.
Visually and thematically, the Illuminate offer a refreshing change from factions reminiscent of Starship Troopers and Terminator. Players initially enjoyed the novel urban maps and facing off against these squid-like creatures. Within the game’s storyline, they pose the gravest threat yet, having decimated two planets and clearly eyeing Super Earth as their next target.
But here’s where the excitement dips: they feel like half a faction. Compared to their robotic and insectoid counterparts, their lineup is modest. Sure, the game lore justifies this as their role as a scouting vanguard, yet in gameplay terms, this results in repetitive encounters lacking the intensity seen with the Terminids or Automatons. All the factions now battle in urban settings, diluting the Illuminate’s uniqueness.
Adding to the challenge is their elusive presence; the Illuminate don’t occupy territories. Battling them involves single-day defense missions over a planet. Once the dust settles—be it in success or when the time runs out—they vanish, only to resurface elsewhere. This makes completing Major Orders against them a tricky endeavor, requiring precise coordination and timing, which isn’t always easy when players prefer more engaging battlefronts.
On a positive note, Arrowhead is no stranger to sprinkling in innovation and balancing the alien diversity. Previously, we’ve seen creative additions like the flying Terminid Shriekers and the fearsome Automaton Factory Striders. They’ve also mixed things up with temporary enemy variants that can drastically change how battles flow. Recent updates introduced formidable Automatons, equipped with larger fabricators, an aggressive Incineration Brigade, and Factory Striders with Stratagem Jammers – all posing fresh challenges to players.
As it stands, Major Orders remain fixated on the Meridia Singularity while the Illuminate lag in player interest. Arrowhead, however, seems aware of the need for variety. Initially, Terminids were considered a breeze, and Automatons weren’t the crowd favorites. As they continue to tweak and refine the game mechanics, there’s hope the Illuminate will eventually carve out their niche. Until then, players remain largely vested in the bug-and-bot skirmishes while dreaming of what the Illuminate might evolve into.
