Helldivers 2 Update: Illuminate Invasion Hits Super Earth Streets

The much-anticipated Heart of Democracy major update for Helldivers 2 is now live on PC and PlayStation 5, bringing the battle to Super Earth's Mega Cities. As previously leaked, the Illuminate invasion has reached our home planet, allowing players to engage in missions alongside SEAF soldiers to defend our cities. This update introduces city biomes where operations contribute significantly to the ongoing Galactic War, a community-driven meta-narrative carefully curated by developer Arrowhead.

The Illuminate have reached the Heart of Democracy.

Our Mega Cities are under siege. Liberty now hangs in the balance. The Ministry of Defence has authorised arsenal upgrades and placed SEAF soldiers on active duty. Today, we fight for the future of Super Earth! pic.twitter.com/GxkrAQCmKD

— HELLDIVERS™ 2 (@helldivers2) May 20, 2025

According to the PlayStation Blog, the Helldivers are now tasked with repelling the Illuminate invasion by gaining ground against the squids. This new objective resembles an intergalactic tug-of-war, where players will experience rapid shifts in control over contested areas. Players can activate Planetary Defense Cannons to take down the Illuminate fleet, as demonstrated in the trailer. Additionally, SEAF troops will assist in the fight, either independently or by following Helldivers' orders to provide temporary backup. It's crucial for players to remain vigilant about civilians still present in the streets, as managing friendly fire remains a key aspect of the game.

The Heart of Democracy update reflects Arrowhead's dedication to sustaining Helldivers 2 for the long haul following its record-breaking launch. In a recent statement, Arrowhead CEO Shams Jorjani addressed concerns about the studio shifting focus to a new project, "Game 6." He reassured fans, stating, "Nah. It's ALL Helldivers 2 for now. A very, very small team will spin up something later this year and go at it slowly. Helldivers is our main focus and will be for a long time."

Jorjani also commented on the longevity of content updates for Helldivers 2, saying, "As long as you folks keep playing and buying Super Credits we can keep it going." He acknowledged past challenges but emphasized the turnaround and the strong support from the community, expressing optimism about the game's future.