In Helldivers 2’s Heart of Democracy update, all players are called to defend against the Illuminate invasion of Super Earth to preserve as much of its beloved democracy as possible. However, the odds of saving Super Earth in Helldivers 2’s current Major Order campaign aren’t favorable, since some players are off fighting Terminids and Automatons on other planets despite the current Illuminate invasion.
This division among Helldivers 2’s playerbase between Major Order devotees and absentees is nothing new, but the current extreme climate of the Galactic War has reignited this discourse and once again divided the community. Even as the fate of Super Earth hangs in the balance, the new Heart of Democracy update ultimately proves the uncomfortable truth that Helldivers 2’s Major Orders still aren’t for everyone.
Helldivers 2’s Super Earth Invasion Makes the Case for One New Stratagem
After the Illuminate invasion of Super Earth, Helldivers 2 has an obvious opportunity to turn one fan-favorite feature into a permanent Stratagem.
In Defense of Helldivers 2’s Major Order Absentees
- Even if Super Earth falls or future Major Order campaigns fail, the fight against Automatons, Terminids, and Illuminate will presumably endure
- Exclusively prioritizing specific enemy factions and missions throughout a Major Order campaign can become repetitive, whereas having the freedom to choose different missions can provide refreshing variety
- Advancing in personal progression systems can be just as important as participating in Major Orders for the typical Warbond Medal rewards
Failure is an Inevitable Part of Major Orders Campaigns
Whether it happens in the current Major Order campaign or not, the inevitable fall of Super Earth in Helldivers 2 surely won’t be the end of the Galactic War. After all, Helldivers 2 has just reached a new peak player count as of the Heart of Democracy update, so it wouldn’t be wise to cut the game’s live service lifetime short just yet.
Helldivers 2’s Major Order Rewards May Be Due for a Rework
One reason why players presumably skip most Major Orders in Helldivers 2 is the lack of uses for the Warbond Medal rewards in the endgame, highlighting the need for reworked rewards. Aside from addressing the bystander effect, this could be the perfect chance for Arrowhead Game Studios to kill multiple birds with one stone by experimenting with new ways to earn Super Credits in Helldivers 2, considering that the studio’s CEO, Shams Jorjani, has already mentioned that changes to how players earn this premium in-game currency are coming soon.
Certain community groups, like Helldivers 2’s Chaosdivers faction, are committed to avoiding Major Orders. So, even with improved rewards, there will likely always be Major Order absentees.
In Defense of Helldivers 2’s Major Order Devotees
- For hardcore players who have unlocked every personal upgrade available, Major Orders are generally the only permanent endgame progression system
- Major Orders occasionally offer unique rewards besides Warbond Medals, such as the creation of the Exosuit Stratagems, the Fallen Hero's Vengeance Malevelon Creek Cape, and the Democracy Space Station
- Majority rule, encouraged by Major Orders, dictates planetary liberation rates and the effectiveness of the Democracy Space Station
Major Orders Are the Heart and Soul of the Galactic War
One of the most notable qualities of participating in Major Orders is making an explicit difference in the Galactic War, earning in-game memorabilia, and sweet memories of spreading democracy along the way. Such is the case for Helldivers 2’s Democracy Space Station, which may have never been built if not for Major Order campaigns uniting players toward a common goal, given that most of the community-led campaigns organized outside the game have a history of failure.
In hindsight, nearly every new addition to Helldivers 2, whether it be a QoL feature or game-changing new content, can arguably be credited to players’ efforts in the Major Orders throughout the Galactic War so far. Despite the current threat of the Illuminate invasion on Super Earth, there are ultimately valid arguments for both devotees and absentees of Helldivers 2’s Major Order campaigns, though, since all players are united by the common interest in enjoying the game.
Helldivers 2
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 83 /100 Critics Rec: 91%
- Released
- February 8, 2024
- ESRB
- Mature 17+ / Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, In-Game Purchases, Users Interact
- Developer(s)
- Arrowhead Game Studios, Nixxes
- Publisher(s)
- Sony Interactive Entertainment, PlayStation Publishing
WHERE TO PLAY
- Engine
- bitsquid
- Genre(s)
- Third-Person Shooter, Extraction Shooter, Action, Science Fiction
