An invasion of Super Earth is underway in Helldivers 2’s latest update, bringing the once-distant frontlines of conflict close to home. Amid the chaos of the invasion, Helldivers were informed that the Illuminate have razed the neighboring planet of Mars, and players are already eager for some payback over it.
In-universe news reports detailed the specifics, declaring that Mars has been razed by the Illuminate. The Helldiver Training Sites on Mars were part of the destruction, and the facility operators who were running the training have perished in defense of the planet.
Opening the Galaxy Map in Helldivers 2 right now shows a destroyed, but still present, mass of rock.
#Helldivers2 | #Helldivers2GalacticWar
⚠️⚠️⚠️ MARS HAS BEEN DESTROYED ⚠️⚠️⚠️ pic.twitter.com/sAzkM08qGz
— Helldivers NOW (@Helldivers_NOW) May 20, 2025
Mars was, until a recent update, the training facility for Helldivers preparing to take part in the galactic spread of democracy. The sudden switch of tutorial zones already set off alarm bells a week or so ago, but now, the drive was clear: as part of the invasion, the Illuminate have taken something all Helldivers 2 players had a sentimental stake in.
The official Helldivers 2 account posted some promotional art to X/Twitter, urging players to “Avenge Mars.”
Mars has been razed by the Illuminate. All Helldiver Training Sites across the planet, where rigorous, thorough, and safe training of the Galaxy’s Elite has long occured, have been destroyed. The expert and seasoned facility PA operators who facilitated the training died… pic.twitter.com/16yEhLK0MM
— HELLDIVERS™ 2 (@helldivers2) May 20, 2025
The attempt to stir up the hearts and emotions of Helldivers 2 players seems to have worked, too. Already, Helldivers players are leaning into the bit; one posts a GIF from Starship Troopers, referencing Rico’s determination to squash the bugs after his hometown is destroyed, and another shares the closed fist meme that’s become ubiquitous in record time. Helldivers 2 players will always lean into the universal storytelling.
Still, alongside all the kayfabe Helldivers posts, some can’t resist having some fun with it. “Hey, the only people who are allowed to kill Helldivers on Mars are Super Earth Drill Instructors!” wrote one user. And references to DOOM and various other media are pretty solid, too.
The invasion of Super Earth by Illuminate forces is well underway in Helldivers 2’s Heart of Democracy update, which went live today. Players can currently drop onto the planet to defend it against the extraterrestrial squids, and even with some new SEAF back-up, the situation seems chaotic. We’ll see how this pans out over the next few Major Orders, but I’m not ruling out a few more gut-punches from Joel and developer Arrowhead Game Studios.
Eric is a freelance writer for IGN.
