In recent months, players of Helldivers 2 have faced some significant dilemmas as the Meridia Singularity relentlessly progresses toward Super Earth, leaving destruction in its path. While the war in the galaxy rages on, developers at Arrowhead have hit a snag: Their players seem less inclined to engage with the game’s third faction, the unnervingly alien-like Illuminate.
The debut of the Illuminate was quite the spectacle. They burst onto the scene in the galaxy’s southern quadrant following an unexpected announcement at The Game Awards in late 2024. Unlike the Terminids, with their aggressive melee swarms, or the Automatons, who rely on artillery and laser fire, the Illuminate fall somewhere in between. They send in waves of zombies called Voteless, who are easily dispatched but numerous, alongside tough Overseers equipped with varied weapons and intimidating War of the Worlds-inspired Harvesters.
This concept offers an exciting twist on the alien invasion genre, distancing itself from the vibes of Starship Troopers or Terminator-themed factions. Initially, players enjoyed navigating the new cityscapes and facing off against this squid-like threat. In the broader narrative, they are the most formidable force, having already targeted and obliterated two planets, setting their sights now on Super Earth.
However, there’s a downside: the Illuminate, at present, feel like an incomplete faction. Their variety of units is scarce compared to other adversaries like bots and bugs. While the storyline justifies this by framing them as a scout unit readying for a larger assault, it translates to repetitive gameplay for now. Compared to the Terminids and Automatons, they lack challenge, and the exclusivity of urban combat zones isn’t theirs alone anymore, as all factions can now claim city-based battlegrounds.
Adding to the challenge is their elusiveness. They don’t hold territory, so players can’t engage them unless they’re defending a planet, a task that lasts just about a day. Once concluded, the Illuminate disappear, only to pop up elsewhere, requiring precise timing and coordination from players who might otherwise prefer more thrilling confrontations.
Fortunately, Arrowhead has a knack for revamping and enriching alien factions with innovative units. We’ve seen this before with surprising additions like the flight-capable Terminid Shriekers and the fearsome Automaton Factory Striders. Arrowhead has continually mixed things up with temporary enemy variants that keep players on their toes. The Predator Strain’s hostile Stalker packs and the Automatons’ beefed-up fabricators and Stratagem Jammers have recently added a refreshing complexity to the gameplay.
Currently, Major Orders center around the Meridia Singularity controlled by the Illuminate. However, Arrowhead seems fully aware of the need for diversity in gameplay. Recently, Major Orders have honed in on the original factions, with Terminids initially labeled as more approachable and Automatons less favored. Over time, as Arrowhead fine-tunes and balances the game, the Illuminate may evolve into a distinct and engaging faction. Until then, they’re simply not diverse or compelling enough. I’m eager to see their take on something akin to a Bile Titan, but for now, my attention remains firmly on the familiar challenges posed by the bots and bugs.
