Illuminate Invasion Hits Super Earth Streets in Helldivers 2 Heart of Democracy Update

The eagerly awaited Heart of Democracy major update for Helldivers 2 is now available on both PC and PlayStation 5, bringing the battle to Super Earth as the Illuminate invasion reaches our home planet. Players can now engage in missions set within the Mega Cities, fighting alongside SEAF soldiers to liberate these urban areas from the alien threat. Arrowhead, the game's developer, emphasizes the importance of these operations, noting their significant impact on the ongoing Galactic War, a community-driven meta narrative that shapes the game's universe.

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 new objective for Helldivers is to repel the Illuminate invasion by gaining control over areas where their fleet is landing. Described as an intergalactic tug-of-war, players will experience a dynamic struggle for control. To aid in this effort, players can activate Planetary Defense Cannons to take down the Illuminate fleet. Additionally, SEAF troops will assist in defending the cities, either fighting independently or following Helldivers to provide temporary backup. However, players must remain vigilant of civilians still present in the battle zones, as friendly fire management remains a crucial aspect of the game.

The Heart of Democracy update reflects Arrowhead's commitment to sustaining Helldivers 2 for years to come, following its record-breaking launch. Addressing concerns about the studio's focus, Arrowhead CEO Shams Jorjani recently reassured players that the studio is fully dedicated to Helldivers 2. "Nah. It's ALL Helldivers 2 for now," he stated, indicating that only a very small team will begin working on the next project, dubbed "Game 6," later this year. Jorjani emphasized the longevity of Helldivers 2, stating, "As long as you folks keep playing and buying Super Credits we can keep it going," highlighting the importance of player engagement and the use of the game's virtual currency, Super Credits, to purchase Premium Warbonds.