The latest update to Helldivers 2 has brought the frontlines of the galactic conflict dangerously close to Super Earth with an ongoing invasion. In a shocking turn of events, the Illuminate have laid waste to Mars, a neighboring planet and a significant training ground for Helldivers. The news of Mars' destruction has ignited a fervent desire for retribution among players.
In-game news reports have detailed the devastation, confirming that the Illuminate's attack has obliterated the Helldiver Training Sites on Mars. Tragically, the dedicated facility operators who managed these sites lost their lives in the defense of the planet. When players access the Galaxy Map in Helldivers 2, they are met with the grim sight of Mars, now a destroyed yet still present mass of rock.
⚠️⚠️⚠️ MARS HAS BEEN DESTROYED ⚠️⚠️⚠️ pic.twitter.com/sAzkM08qGz
— Helldivers NOW (@Helldivers_NOW) May 20, 2025
Mars served as the primary training facility for Helldivers until a recent update shifted the tutorial zones elsewhere, a move that foreshadowed the impending invasion. The destruction of Mars, a place with sentimental value to all Helldivers 2 players, has been a significant blow.
Mars has been razed by the Illuminate. All Helldiver Training Sites across the planet, where rigorous, thorough, and safe training of the Galaxy's Elite has long occurred, have been destroyed. The expert and seasoned facility PA operators who facilitated the training died… pic.twitter.com/16yEhLK0MM
— HELLDIVERS™ 2 (@helldivers2) May 20, 2025
The official Helldivers 2 account has released promotional art on X/Twitter, rallying players with the call to "Avenge Mars." This appeal to the players' emotions appears to have been effective, as the community has embraced the narrative wholeheartedly. Memes and references from popular culture, including Starship Troopers and DOOM, are circulating among players, showcasing their dedication to the game's lore and their readiness to fight back.
Amidst the serious undertones, players are also injecting humor into the situation. One user quipped, "Hey, the only people who are allowed to kill Helldivers on Mars are Super Earth Drill Instructors!" demonstrating the community's ability to find levity even in dire circumstances.
The invasion of Super Earth by the Illuminate is the centerpiece of Helldivers 2's Heart of Democracy update, which was released today. Players can now engage directly in the defense of their home planet against the extraterrestrial threat. With new SEAF reinforcements, the battle remains intense and unpredictable. As the situation evolves through upcoming Major Orders, players should brace themselves for further dramatic developments from developer Arrowhead Game Studios and game master Joel.
