Helldivers 2's Illuminate Should Go Against the Grain
The return of the Illuminate faction in Helldivers 2 brings an exciting challenge, but there’s potential for more engaging missions to make it truly stand out.
The world of Helldivers 2 has been electrified by the return of the Illuminate faction, a familiar enemy that poses an even greater threat than before. Their reappearance has added a fresh layer of intensity to the game’s already chaotic combat, pushing players to new heights of strategy and action. However, while their inclusion is undeniably thrilling, there's untapped potential that could make the Illuminate faction's role in the game even more compelling. Arrowhead Game Studios has a golden opportunity to take the faction to the next level by rethinking its mission structure and offering new, more dynamic objectives for players to experience.
The Illuminate were a dangerous force in the first Helldivers, and their return in the sequel makes it clear that they are just as intent on stopping Super Earth’s efforts to spread galactic freedom. Players who engage with them in Helldivers 2 often find themselves tasked with objectives like destroying monoliths, evacuating civilians, or retrieving critical intel. While these tasks offer plenty of action, the faction’s advanced nature suggests there’s room for more unique, high-stakes objectives that could elevate the gameplay experience even further.
The Case for New Illuminate Mission Objectives
Since the initial buzz of the Illuminate’s return has settled, their missions could risk becoming predictable without more diversity in the objectives they present. To keep things fresh and exciting, the game could benefit from introducing new, faction-specific mission types that align with the Illuminate’s advanced technology and strategic ambitions. Here are a few ideas for what those new objectives could look like:
Protect and Defend Civilians: Imagine a mission where players must safeguard a town from an Illuminate onslaught, working together with the civilians to fend off the invaders. The twist? If the defense fails, the enemy could convert the civilians into Voteless, adding a personal, high-stakes element to the mission.
Capture and Interrogate: A more complex mission could task players with subduing and capturing a high-ranking Illuminate unit for interrogation. This would introduce a high-risk escort scenario, with players not only needing to protect the captive but also dealing with the threat of the enemy trying to rescue or sabotage the mission.
Destroy a Massive, Advanced Threat: While players currently face off against Warp Ships, a new objective could have them taking on a massive, technologically superior Illuminate unit threatening an entire planet. This would raise the stakes and provide a new level of combat intensity.
Why These New Objectives Matter
The importance of fresh mission objectives for the Illuminate goes beyond keeping things interesting. Introducing more unique objectives could breathe new life into the faction, preventing it from becoming stale as players progress through the game. It would also open up the possibility for new equipment and tech, potentially derived from the Illuminate’s cutting-edge technology. These additions could provide new strategies and ways to tackle the evolving threat, adding further depth and variety to the gameplay experience.
For Helldivers 2, this isn’t just about adding more content. It’s about ensuring that each faction remains relevant and exciting as the game evolves. Fresh objectives would keep the Illuminate faction from feeling like a one-note threat, instead making it an ever-evolving challenge for players to conquer.
The Bottom Line: A Smart Move for the Future
Helldivers 2 is in a strong position to deliver a deeper and more engaging experience, but the addition of new mission objectives for the Illuminate faction could be the key to making it even better. While Arrowhead Game Studios might choose to hold off on such changes for now, the long-term benefits are clear. By rethinking the way the Illuminate faction operates and providing fresh, exciting mission ideas, the game could push the boundaries of what we expect from its dynamic, tactical combat system. Fans are eager to see what’s next for Helldivers 2, and with a bit of creativity, the Illuminate could become an even more formidable and memorable adversary.