Helldivers 2, the popular cooperative shooter, is about to get its biggest update yet. Developer Arrowhead Game Studios announced that the ‘Escalation of Freedom’ update will launch on August 6th, bringing with it a host of new challenges, enemies, and gameplay changes. One of the most significant additions is the introduction of difficulty level 10, the toughest the game has ever seen. This new level will feature a significant increase in the number and strength of enemies, along with the possibility of earning new rewards, including Super Samples.
But even for players who shy away from nightmare mode, ‘Escalation of Freedom’ has plenty to offer. New enemies like the Impaler, a Terminid foe from the first Helldivers game that emerges from the ground to attack, and the Spore Charger, which charges from a cloak of fog, will keep players on their toes. The update also introduces a larger, more terrifying version of the Brood Commander called the Terminid Alpha Commander.
And the Automatons haven’t been left out. The update includes new Rocket Tanks that can launch rockets into the air for a devastating barrage. Arrowhead has also teased even more enemies that haven’t been revealed yet.
Beyond new enemies, the update introduces a spooky new swamp biome that features rain that can reduce armor for both players and enemies. There’s also a new objective that tasks players with escorting a crying larva in a backpack, which attracts more enemies.
In a rare change that doesn’t increase the difficulty, the update also includes a new system designed to combat grief-kicking. Instead of simply being booted back to their ship, players who are kicked from a session will be placed in a new session with all of their team’s loot, while the team that did the kicking won’t lose anything either.
Helldivers 2 has consistently implemented changes based on player feedback, including ongoing story updates that introduce new missions. One recent mission required players to choose between liberating a planet for a new strategem or saving a children’s hospital. While Helldivers 2 has been a huge hit this year, its player numbers on Steam have decreased since its release. But with the ‘Escalation of Freedom’ update, Arrowhead Game Studios is looking to revitalize the game and keep players coming back for more.
