Illuminate Forces Invade Super Earth in Helldivers 2 Democracy Update

Helldivers 2 introduces Super Earth battlegrounds in the Heart of Democracy major update.

Following last week's leak, the Heart of Democracy update, now available on PC and PlayStation 5, brings the Illuminate invasion to Super Earth. Players can select missions in Mega Cities, joining SEAF soldiers to defend the home planet.

Urban operations focus on liberating cities, significantly influencing planetary campaigns, according to developer Arrowhead. These missions tie into Helldivers 2’s Galactic War, a community-driven narrative orchestrated by Arrowhead.

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

The PlayStation Blog provides the official overview:

Helldivers face a critical mission: repel the Illuminate invasion by seizing control from the enemy as they attempt to dominate landing zones. Expect intense battles, with control shifting rapidly in this intergalactic struggle.

Players can activate Planetary Defense Cannons to target the Illuminate fleet, as seen in the trailer. SEAF troops join the fight, either battling independently or following Helldivers’ orders for temporary support. Amid the chaos, players must avoid harming civilians still present in the cities, balancing combat with friendly fire risks.

The Heart of Democracy update reflects Arrowhead’s commitment to sustaining Helldivers 2 long-term, building on its record-breaking launch last year.

Arrowhead CEO Shams Jorjani recently addressed concerns about the studio shifting focus to its next project, codenamed "Game 6."

"Helldivers 2 remains our priority," Jorjani clarified. "A small team will begin exploring new projects later this year, but Helldivers 2 is our main focus for the foreseeable future."

When asked how long content updates for Helldivers 2 will continue, Jorjani responded:

"As long as players keep engaging and purchasing Super Credits, we’ll keep delivering," he said, referencing the game’s virtual currency for Premium Warbonds. "Last summer, we faced challenges, but with your support, we’ve turned things around, and the future looks promising."