Helldivers 2 Players Express Frustration with Slippery Squid Fights

The past few months have put Helldivers 2 players in a bind, as they face some unenviable decisions. The ominous Meridia Singularity continues its relentless march through the cosmos, swallowing planets as it moves towards Super Earth. Yet amidst this cosmic struggle, Arrowhead faces a conundrum: players aren’t particularly jazzed about taking on the game’s third group—the spooky and tentacled Illuminates.

The Illuminates made their debut with quite the spectacle, swooping into the southern part of the galaxy following a surprise reveal at The Game Awards, capping off 2024. Where the Terminids are all about brute force and melee chaos, and the Automatons prefer precision with artillery, lasers, and fiery assaults, the Illuminates find their niche right in the middle. Their ranks include the shambling Voteless, akin to zombies, which aren’t tough but come in overwhelming numbers, and then there’s the menacing Harvesters—walkers right out of a “War of the Worlds” nightmare—alongside Overseers sporting a myriad of weaponry.

This setup offers a refreshing twist on the usual alien invasion narrative, bringing a new flavor to the game’s repertoire of foes that’s distinct from the Starship Troopers and Terminator influences. Initially, players enjoyed the thrill of clashing with this new foe in the game’s urban environments. In the game’s unfolding story, the Illuminates are a significant threat, having already wiped out two planets, with their sights set on Super Earth next.

However, there’s a catch—they’re not quite a full-fledged faction yet. Their lineup just doesn’t stack up to the more fleshed-out bots and bugs. While lore-wise, it makes sense, as these are merely advance scouts probing the galaxy, players find that encounters with them lack variety and challenge compared to their nemeses. Now that urban maps aren’t their exclusive domain anymore, with all factions able to battle in cities, the appeal has dwindled further.

Adding to the frustration, the Illuminates don’t stake a claim on territories. Facing off against them means embarking on planet defense missions that last roughly a day. Once the timer ticks down or the planet is secured, they vanish, popping up later in a different sector. A Major Order requiring players to fend off their iterated assaults demands precise timing and teamwork—a tricky feat since players often prefer more exciting clashes elsewhere.

Fortunately, Arrowhead seems well aware of the need for diversity and has been sharp with additions, keeping the game spicy. We’ve witnessed sneaky introductions like the airborne Terminid Shriekers and fearsome Automaton Factory Striders. They’ve even rolled out variations of classic foes to shake up gameplay, like the Predator Strain’s swarming Stalkers. Recently, Automatons received hefty upgrades, with larger, tougher fabricators, the debut of an Incineration Brigade, and, most chillingly, Factory Striders armed with Stratagem Jammers.

Although the current Major Orders circle around the Meridia Singularity under Illuminate control, Arrowhead continues to ensure the game remains varied. Recent Major Orders have revisited the original two factions, finding new equilibrium in gameplay. Initially, the Terminids seemed like a breeze, while Automatons were less favored. But as developers continue to tweak things, the Illuminate are sure to evolve and shine. Until then, with their limited roster and sameness, the bots and bugs call to me, providing a more engaging battlefield experience. I’m eager to witness what a Bile Titan might come to look like within the Illuminate, but for now, I’m rallying against familiar foes on known fronts.