Helldivers 2 Review Bombed Again Amid Super Earth Battle

The battle for Super Earth in *Helldivers 2* has reached a fever pitch as players scramble to defend the planet from the relentless advance of the Illuminate fleet. However, a recent controversy surrounding the defense of Equality-On-Sea has sparked frustration among the player base and triggered a wave of negative reviews.

The latest update, *Heart of Democracy*, brought months of narrative buildup to a head. The Meridian Singularity—a black hole created during a mission against the Terminids—was hurled toward Super Earth, opening a wormhole through which the Illuminate launched their full-scale invasion. Dubbed the “Great Host,” the enemy armada descended upon the planet, transforming it into an all-out warzone.

In the wake of the update, players have fought fiercely to protect Super Earth’s Mega Cities—real-world counterparts such as York Supreme (New York), Remembrance (Buenos Aires), and Equality-On-Sea (Shanghai). As of now, only two cities remain standing: Equality-On-Sea and the capital, Prosperity City (Stockholm).

As the conflict approached what felt like its climax, the community rallied behind Major Orders and strategic initiatives. Some Helldivers even diverted efforts to other fronts, helping reclaim the DSS—an enormous military orbital station—which was then deployed to reinforce defenses on Super Earth.

EOS. WILL NOT. FALL.
– byu/Gabry2 in Helldivers

As the battle intensified around Equality-On-Sea, players from across the globe joined forces to raise its defense percentage. Memes, jokes, and camaraderie flowed freely throughout the community—even as the pressure mounted. Despite the overwhelming odds, Helldivers continued to drop in and hold the line.

Some Chinese memes
– byu/leoooooooow in Helldivers

It's been an emotional and thrilling moment for many—one that showcases *Helldivers 2*'s unique ability to weave together developer-driven narrative with emergent, player-led storytelling. Yet, something unexpected happened: Equality-On-Sea never reached 100%.

At the close of this arc, the city’s defense meter sat at exactly 99.9783%. This seemingly small decimal point has become a major source of contention. While most Major Orders in *Helldivers 2* are binary—either completed or failed—the Super Earth defense operates differently. Rather than liberating a location, players are actively holding it under siege. Therefore, reaching 100% may not be the intended goal at all.

Still, confusion over the mechanics and intentions behind the percentage meter fueled growing frustration, especially among players who believed they were working toward a full liberation. Combined with theories that the final showdown is building toward a climactic battle in Prosperity City, this sentiment has led to a spike in negative Steam reviews.

Over the past 24 hours, more than 2,300 negative reviews have appeared on Steam, compared to just over 300 positive ones. Many of these reviews originate from Chinese players, and while machine translations are imperfect, common themes emerge: a sense of narrative betrayal, perceived interference from Arrowhead, and repeated references to that infamous "99.9783%" figure.

This game is being review bombed for not letting players liberate EoS
– byu/ImpossibleWorld5563 in Helldivers

#Helldivers2 | #Helldivers
Here we go again! pic.twitter.com/z86PuaKvKd
– Helldivers NOW (@Helldivers_NOW) May 29, 2025

That said, the current backlash remains relatively minor when compared to the infamous PSN review-bombing incident of May 2024. Still, it represents a clear disconnect between player expectations and how the storyline unfolded.

This should have been a high point for *Helldivers 2*: a dramatic culmination of long-standing plotlines and one of Arrowhead’s most ambitious in-game events. Having participated in the defense of Super Earth myself, I can attest to the sheer intensity and awe of watching massive Illuminate fleets descend on iconic Mega Cities.

Unfortunately, the nationalistic framing of the conflict has also introduced tensions that overshadowed the otherwise inspiring unity seen earlier in the campaign. Even with moderators and fan communities urging restraint, the controversy has left a bitter aftertaste on what could have been a triumphant chapter in the game’s history.

As of now, Helldivers continue to hold out in both Equality-On-Sea and Prosperity City, with the former maintaining a higher defense percentage. The final phase of the battle for Super Earth is underway, and the order remains clear: Hold Super Earth. With any luck, the community can still push forward, secure victory, and celebrate the incredible moments that *Helldivers 2* continues to deliver.