In recent months, players diving into Helldivers 2 have been navigating some tough decisions, all while the ominous Meridia Singularity keeps pushing forward, leaving devastated planets in its path. The battle in the Galactic War rages on, yet there’s a hiccup in Arrowhead’s plans: gamers aren’t keen on tackling the unsettling, squid-like foes known as the Illuminate.
Introduced with a bang, the Illuminate made a grand entrance when they invaded the galaxy’s southern quadrant after being unexpectedly unveiled at The Game Awards in late 2024. With the brutish Terminids brandishing heavy hitters and swarming melee aliens, and the Automatons wielding long-range firepower behind their artillery and laser beams, the Illuminate find themselves comfortably situated between these two. They’ve got their own hordes, called the Voteless, which are fragile but numerous, alongside the armored Overseers equipped with diverse weaponry and the menacing War of the Worlds-esque Harvesters.
The concept behind them is intriguing, mixing up the familiar alien invasion with a bold, novel flair that’s quite different from the Starship Troopers or Terminator-inspired adversaries. Initially, players enjoyed navigating the fresh urban landscapes and battling this new squid menace. From a storyline perspective, they’re portrayed as the most significant threat to date—having obliterated two planets with their sights set squarely on Super Earth.
However, there’s a catch. The Illuminate feel like an incomplete faction. They don’t boast the extensive lineup that the other factions have. It’s easy to rationalize within the game’s lore—they’re just the scouts before a potentially larger force. But for players now, the skirmishes quickly turn monotonous and they pose less of a challenge compared to the more formidable Terminids or Automatons. Adding to the mix, all three factions now have urban terrains to vie over.
Making things trickier is the fact that the Illuminate don’t hold any territories of their own. Engaging them means defending a planet for a day-long mission, after which they slip away to reappear elsewhere. Trying to tackle a Major Order involving multiple Illuminate defenses requires a hefty dose of timing and coordination, complicating the endeavor. Many players, understandably, prefer diving into battles that promise a bit more excitement.
Fortunately, Arrowhead has shown a knack for spicing up alien factions with fresh units. We’ve seen additions like the airborne Terminid Shriekers and the fearsome Automaton Factory Striders. From time to time, they roll out short-lived variations that shift the gameplay dynamics. Take the Predator Strain that turns Stalker packs into a more relentless threat. Recently, Automatons have had a significant boost, with larger, tougher fabricators, the fear-inducing Incineration Brigade, and the scarier-than-ever Factory Striders sporting Stratagem Jammers.
The big tasks at hand right now revolve around the Meridia Singularity, under the control of the Illuminate, but Arrowhead recognizes the need for variety. Recent Major Orders have spotlighted the game’s original two factions. At launch, the Terminids were seen as the easier foes, while the Automatons weren’t initially favored. As Arrowhead continues to fine-tune the game, it’s likely the Illuminate will eventually find their stride. But for now, their similarity and scarcity leave much to be desired. While I eagerly await to see what their equivalent of a Bile Titan might be, my attention is firmly on the familiar yet enticing territories pitting me against the bots and bugs.
