Illuminate Invasion Hits Super Earth Streets in Helldivers 2 Democracy Update

The much-anticipated Heart of Democracy major update for Helldivers 2 is now available on PC and PlayStation 5, introducing Super Earth maps where players can fight against the Illuminate invasion. As leaked last week, this update brings the battle to our home planet, allowing players to select missions in Mega Cities and fight alongside SEAF soldiers to defend Super Earth.

The new city biomes feature operations focused on liberating the cities, which Arrowhead, the game's developer, states have "a significant impact on planetary campaigns." These operations are part of Helldivers 2's ongoing Galactic War, a community-driven meta narrative orchestrated by 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 control over areas where the enemy fleet is landing. This challenge is described as an intergalactic tug-of-war, where players will struggle to gain and lose control quickly.

Players can activate Planetary Defense Cannons to take down the Illuminate fleet, as showcased in the trailer. SEAF troops will also join the fight, either fighting independently or following Helldivers to provide temporary backup. Players must remain vigilant of civilians on the streets, as managing friendly fire is crucial in Helldivers 2.

The Heart of Democracy update is part of Arrowhead's long-term commitment to sustain Helldivers 2 for years following its record-breaking launch. Addressing player concerns about the studio's focus, Arrowhead CEO Shams Jorjani emphasized that Helldivers 2 remains their primary focus.

"Nah. It's ALL Helldivers 2 for now," Jorjani stated, assuring players that only a small team will work on the next project, dubbed "Game 6," later this year. He further noted that content updates for Helldivers 2 will continue "as long as you folks keep playing and buying Super Credits," referencing the game's virtual currency used to purchase Premium Warbonds. Jorjani reflected on last summer's challenges but expressed optimism about the game's future due to strong player support.