Summary
- The lore of Helldivers 2 is complex, hinting at a future where the UK and other parts of the world have been destroyed in war.
- The game takes place in a far future with humanity united under one government on Super Earth, facing threats from various factions.
- The game's success is evident in the passion fans have for exploring and uncovering new pieces of lore.
In the violent future of Helldivers 2, the United Kingdom no longer exists on Super Earth, it would seem. The co-op shooter from Arrowhead Game Studios has become a smash hit thanks to its gameplay and sci-fi story that blends classic tropes and dark, cynical humor. Lots of gamers love Helldivers 2 and are always eager to learn more about its world and backstory.
The lore of Helldivers 2 is complex, and many of its elements are only hinted at during gameplay. It is clear that the game takes place in the far future, with humanity united under a single government on Super Earth. Super Earth is at war with several different factions that threaten humanity and its way of life, requiring the titular Helldivers to fight across the galaxy. Now, one more piece of information about this world has been uncovered, thanks to a map shared by the developer.
A map of Super Earth, shared on Discord by Arrowhead Game Studios CEO Johan Pilestedt, reveals that in the future of Helldivers 2, the United Kingdom does not exist on Super Earth. The map, which was shared with a wider audience on Twitter by user thinkiamsad, shows that the continents of Super Earth still resemble those of classic Earth, but many areas are now decimated, marked as "Wasteland Zones" destroyed in a previous war. These wastelands can be seen across the planet, but perhaps most notably, one such zone encompasses the entirety of the UK and Ireland.
The UK Was Destroyed in a Past War in Helldivers 2
In addition to the UK being wiped out, it appears that part of Canada and Alaska, a good part of Russia, much of Eastern Europe, and the north of Greenland have also been destroyed on Super Earth. Further, other parts of the world are listed as "restricted areas," leaving in question just what of these regions is left. The Helldivers 2 dev recently offered disturbing information about Terminids in the game, but revealing that entire civilizations have been wiped out may just top these past details in terms of creepiness.
There's currently no information about just what happened to Ireland and the UK or what happened to the people living there. Given that the Helldivers 2 team likes to keep some things secret and obscure some revelations behind the words of unreliable narrators, fans probably shouldn't expect to get the full story any time soon. Helldivers 2 draws inspiration from Starship Troopers and, like the cult-classic film, it seems to enjoy hinting at a dark past for Earth and the human race.
Helldivers 2 could represent the future of shooters, given the success it's seen so far and the passion it's generated among fans. The eagerness with which these players seek out and absorb new pieces of lore like this speaks to just how much of a hit the game has become.
Helldivers 2
- Released
- February 8, 2024
WHERE TO PLAY
The Galaxy’s Last Line of Offence. Enlist in the Helldivers and join the fight for freedom across a hostile galaxy in a fast, frantic, and ferocious third-person shooter.
URGENT BROADCAST – SUPER EARTH ARMED FORCES
Freedom. Peace. Democracy. Your Super Earth-born rights. The key pillars of our civilization. Of our very existence. But the war rages on. And everything is once again under threat.
Join the greatest military force the galaxy has ever seen and make this a safe and free place to live.
BECOME A LEGEND
You will be assembled into squads of up to four Helldivers and assigned strategic missions. Watch each other’s back – friendly fire is an unfortunate certainty of war, but victory without teamwork is impossible.
LOADOUTS
Rain down freedom from above, sneak through enemy territory, or grit your teeth and charge head-first into the jaws of combat. How you deliver liberty is your choice; you’ll have access to a wide array of explosive firepower, life-saving armor and battle-changing stratagems… the jewel in every Helldiver’s arsenal.
REQUISITION
Super Earth recognises your hard work with valuable Requisition. Use it to access different rewards that benefit you, your squad, your destroyer ship and our overall war effort.
THREATS
Everything on every planet wants you dead. That’s what we’re dealing with. Each enemy has distinct and unpredictable characteristics, tactics, and behavior – but they all fight ferociously and without fear or morality.
THE GALACTIC WAR
Capturing enemy planets, defending against invasions, and completing missions will contribute to our overall effort. This war will be won or lost depending on the actions of everyone involved.
We stand together, or we fall apart.
- Developer(s)
- Arrowhead Game Studios, Nixxes
- Publisher(s)
- Sony Interactive Entertainment, PlayStation Publishing
- Franchise
- Helldivers
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, PC
- Metascore
- 83
- Genre(s)
- Third-Person Shooter, Extraction Shooter, Action, Science Fiction
