Helldivers 2 Update: Illuminate Invasion Hits Super Earth Streets

The long-awaited Heart of Democracy update for Helldivers 2 is now available on PC and PlayStation 5, bringing the Illuminate invasion to Super Earth. Players can now engage in thrilling missions within the Mega Cities of our home planet, fighting alongside SEAF soldiers to push back the alien threat. This major update introduces city biomes where operations directly impact the liberation of the cities, playing a crucial role in the game's ongoing Galactic War. Arrowhead Game Studios has masterfully woven this into the community-driven meta narrative, ensuring that every player's actions contribute to the larger story.

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, Helldivers are now tasked with repelling the Illuminate invasion by gaining control over areas where their fleet is landing. This new challenge is likened to an intergalactic tug-of-war, with players constantly battling to gain and lose ground against the incoming forces. Players can utilize Planetary Defense Cannons to take down the Illuminate fleet, as demonstrated in the trailer. SEAF troops will assist in defending the cities, either fighting independently or following Helldivers to provide temporary support as you move towards your objectives. However, players must remain vigilant about civilian safety amidst the chaos, as managing friendly fire remains a key aspect of the game.

The Heart of Democracy update underscores Arrowhead's dedication to the long-term support of Helldivers 2, especially following its record-breaking launch. In light of recent concerns about the studio's focus, Arrowhead CEO Shams Jorjani reassured players, 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 loooong time." Jorjani also highlighted the importance of player engagement and the purchase of Super Credits, which fuel the development of future content. He noted, "As long as you folks keep playing and buying Super Credits we can keep it going. Last summer we were kinda screwing the pooch so it looked like we wouldn't be able to keep the train going for a long time - but we turned the ship around, you support us a lot so it's looking bright."