Summary
Few games this year have taken the world by storm quite likeHelldivers 2. Released back in February,Helldivers 2shot to stardom overnight thanks to its addictive gameplay loop, its absurdly dramatic co-op action, and its non-predatory live-service approach. In its first few months,Helldivers 2managed to reach unprecedented heights, and while its player-base has started to dwindle in recent weeks, that hasn’t discouraged Arrowhead from continuing development.
According to SteamDB,Helldivers 2is still pulling in around 30,000 players a day, and while it’s a far cry from the game’s peak player-count of 450,000+, that’s still no meager feat.Helldivers 2is about to hit its 6-month anniversary, and to celebrate the occasion,developer Arrowheadis releasing its largest update yet, likely in the hopes that it’ll bring back some veterans who have gone AWOL. Titled “Escalation of Freedom,” this major update is set to add new enemy types, mission objectives, and more to the live-service Sci-Fi shooter when it releases on July 19, 2025.
What Fans Can Expect From Helldivers 2’s Escalation of Freedom Update
A New Combat Difficulty and New Mission Objectives
On August 6,Helldivers 2’s Escalation of Freedom updateis adding a new difficulty tier to the game. Called “Super Helldive,” this tenth difficulty level will see players encounter even more enemies on the battlefield, all of whom will be somehow even more aggressive than players are currently used to. This increased difficulty will also bring with it “greater rewards,” though Arrowhead hasn’t specified what these are just yet.
Alongside this new difficulty tier comes a handful of new mission objectives. It’s unclear what these mission objectives will be, but Arrowhead has confirmed that players will be able to infiltrate and destroy new heavily fortified enemy outposts for both Terminids and Automatons. Doing this will reward the players with some ofthe Super Sample currency.
New Enemy Types
Probably the most exciting inclusion inHelldivers 2’s Escalation of Freedom update is its promise of new enemy types. Terminid fans are in luck, as there are three new bug enemy types heading toHelldivers 2. These include the gigantic three-tentacled Impaler, the Spore Charger that obscures its approach by releasing a thick fog around it, and theTerminid Alpha Commander, which is an ever tougher version of the already-challenging Brood Commander enemy type. Currently, just one new enemy type for the Automatons has been confirmed – the Rocket Tank – though Arrowhead has stated it has “other bot surprises” in store.
New Swamp Planets
Whileswamp planets already exist inHelldivers 2, the biome is being given an overhaul in the upcoming Escalation of Freedom update. These new swamp planets will feature a dense fog, some spooky foliage, and a much darker night sky, requiring the player to actually use their flashlight.
An Attempt to Stop Grief-Kicking
With its Escalation of Freedom update,Helldivers 2is finally trying to tackle a social issue that’s been plaguing the game since launch. It’s unfortunately still quite common for a player to bekicked from a match ofHelldivers 2if they’re not using a meta loadout, or simply because the host of the game wants to. Arrowhead is tackling this by allowing any kicked players to keep all of the team’s loot gathered up to that point.
Freedom’s Flame Premium Warbond
Just two days afterHelldivers 2’s Escalation of Freedom update releases, the game receives itsnew Premium Warbond. Titled “Freedom’s Flame,” this new Premium Warbond will give players some deadly fire-based weaponry, including a pistol-sized flamethrower, and a new phosphorous-firing pump-action shotgun.
Helldivers 2
WHERE TO PLAY
Do you believe in freedom? Can you stand in the face of oppression – and defend the defenceless? Wage war for peace. Die for democracy.Join forces with up to three friends and wreak havoc on an alien scourge threatening the safety of your home planet, Super Earth, in this multiplayer co-op shooter for PS5 and PC from Arrowhead Game Studios.Step into the boots of the Helldivers, an elite class of soldiers whose mission is to spread peace, liberty and Managed Democracy using the biggest, baddest and most explosive tools in the galaxy.Helldivers don’t go planet side without proper backup, but it’s up to you to decide how and when to call it in. Not only do you have a host of superpowered primary weapons and customizable loadouts, you also have the ability to call on stratagems during play.Helldivers 2 features Arrowhead’s best cooperative gameplay yet. Collaboration will be vital: Teams will synergize on loadouts, strategize their approach for each mission and complete objectives together.1Enlist in Super Earth’s premier military peacekeeping force today. We are heroes… we are legends… WE ARE HELLDIVERS.
