It’s a tumultuous time to be a Helldiver. Not solely are the cowardly Illuminate again after a century-long disappearance, however they’re kidnapping Tremendous Earth residents and turning them into horrifying monsters referred to as the Voteless. This doesn’t even start to cowl the schemes of the opposite two factions: the Automatons, who’re creeping nearer in the direction of Tremendous Earth, and the Terminids, who’re producing tons of mysterious, evolution-inspiring spores. However the worst a part of all is that, properly, I’m fairly certain we will’t belief something Tremendous Earth is telling us. I believe they might be telling a few fibs.
The Illuminate confirmed up instantly after the conclusion of The Sport Awards in a shock drop, and Helldivers headed to the planet of Calypso to battle them. This one world was below siege by the Illuminate, and gamers managed to meet the Main Order in the previous few minutes of the marketing campaign.
Tremendous Earth despatched slightly standing replace afterwards, which reads:
The resurgent Illuminate have been repelled by the Helldivers. Order has been restored on CALYPSO. It’s assessed {that a} small cell of the Illuminate forces survived their eradication on the finish of the First Galactic Conflict, staying hidden till now. Current Democratic exercise could have made their discovery imminent, precipitating the current assault. […] SEAF recon items will quickly search out any remnants. As quickly as they’re positioned, they are going to be eradicated.
A small cell? Nicely, that sounds reassuring. The Illuminate disappeared for a full day after Operation Historical Vengeance on Calypso, and Helldivers received an indication of reduction. However then, we received a brand new set of marching orders in Operation Squid Sport. This time, the Illuminate are attacking a number of planets, chief amongst them the world of Genesis Prime. Tremendous Earth has defined this away with mission textual content that reads:
It’s unknown how they eluded detection for the earlier century; nonetheless, their means to take action is indicative of the restricted dimension of the cell. Their numbers are restricted. This assault is a chance to finish the eradication of this xenophobic risk, securing the galaxy as soon as extra.
Taking part in in opposition to the Illuminate, I can’t assist however discover one thing alarming. They subject a a lot smaller roster than the opposite two factions, however there’s additionally no equal to the Bile Titans or the Manufacturing facility Striders. It doesn’t matter what problem you play on, you’re going to get the identical guys: Voteless, Overseers, and Harvesters. It appears fairly possible that we’re going to see extra squids rising. For those who examine the Illuminate ranks from the primary Helldivers, there’s some terrifying potentialities: the Obelisk, the Illusionist, and the Nice Eye might all present up in a single kind or one other.
Tremendous Earth appears fairly chill about this entire factor, however I can not stress sufficient that I believe they may be incorrect. Helldivers 2 is stuffed with narrative surprises, and I don’t see that altering. For those who assume the strolling Harvesters are dangerous, maintain onto your butts: I assure the Illuminate are solely going to get scarier.
