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

The eagerly awaited Heart of Democracy major update for Helldivers 2 has arrived, bringing the thrill of combat to Super Earth's own Mega Cities. As leaked last week, this update is now available on both PC and PlayStation 5, allowing players to engage in missions on our home planet and fight back against the Illuminate invasion alongside SEAF soldiers.

The new city biomes feature operations aimed at liberating the cities, which Arrowhead, the game's developer, notes have "a significant impact on planetary campaigns." This update is intricately tied to Helldivers 2's ongoing Galactic War, a dynamic meta-narrative shaped by the community's efforts and 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

According to the PlayStation Blog, Helldivers are now tasked with a crucial mission: to repel the Illuminate invasion by gaining control over the areas where their fleet is landing. This is no easy feat, as players will find themselves in a tense game of intergalactic tug-of-war, constantly battling to maintain control against the relentless incoming forces.

Players can now activate Planetary Defense Cannons to take down the Illuminate fleet, as demonstrated in the trailer. Additionally, SEAF troops will join the fray to defend the cities. These squads can operate independently or follow Helldivers, offering temporary support as you move toward your objectives. However, players must remain vigilant about civilians still roaming the streets, as managing friendly fire is as critical as eliminating alien threats.

The Heart of Democracy update underscores Arrowhead's dedication to the long-term success of Helldivers 2 following its record-breaking launch last year. Addressing player concerns about the studio's focus, Arrowhead CEO Shams Jorjani recently stated, "Nah. It's ALL Helldivers 2 for now. A very, very small team will spin up something later this year and go at it sloowly. Helldivers is our main focus and will be for a loooong time."

Jorjani also shared his outlook on the game's future, saying, "As long as you folks keep playing and buying Super Credits we can keep it going," referring to the in-game currency used to purchase Premium Warbonds. He acknowledged the challenges faced last summer but expressed optimism, noting, "Last summer we were kinda screwing the pooch so it looked like we wouldn't be able to keep the train going for a long time - but we turned the ship around, you support us a lot so it's looking bright."