The highly anticipated Heart of Democracy major update for Helldivers 2 is now available on PC and PlayStation 5, bringing the thrilling action directly to Super Earth. As previously leaked, this update introduces the Illuminate invasion to our home planet, allowing players to engage in missions within the Mega Cities alongside SEAF soldiers.
The new city biomes feature operations that contribute to the liberation of these urban areas, which developer Arrowhead has stated have "a significant impact on planetary campaigns." These missions are a crucial part of the ongoing Galactic War, a community-driven meta-narrative that Arrowhead masterfully orchestrates behind the scenes.
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' new objective is to repel the Illuminate invasion by gaining ground over the squids, engaging in a dynamic struggle for control over landing areas. This challenge is likened to an intergalactic tug-of-war, where the control of territories can shift rapidly.
Players can now activate Planetary Defense Cannons to take down the Illuminate fleet, as demonstrated in the update trailer. SEAF troops will also join the fray, either fighting independently or following Helldivers' orders to provide temporary support as you advance toward your objectives. It's important to remain vigilant of civilians still present in the streets, as Helldivers 2 emphasizes both combat and friendly fire management.
The Heart of Democracy update underscores Arrowhead's dedication to sustaining Helldivers 2 for years to come, following its record-breaking launch last year. Addressing player concerns about the studio's focus, Arrowhead CEO Shams Jorjani reassured fans, 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."
When asked about the duration of content updates for Helldivers 2, Jorjani responded optimistically, "As long as you folks keep playing and buying Super Credits we can keep it going." He referenced the game's virtual currency used to purchase Premium Warbonds, noting a turnaround from last summer's challenges to a brighter future, thanks to continued player support.
