Helldivers 2 players mortified upon learning shocking truth of game’s lore

Brad Norton
Helldivers 2 gameplay

The shocking truth of Helldivers 2 is slowly unraveling and players have been left horrified by the grim reality of Super Earth and the actions of its most dedicated defenders of democracy.

Helldivers 2 has been a surprise hit for Sony unlike anything in recent years. In its first week, the sequel obliterated records on PC formerly held by the mega-popular God of War. Since then, it’s shown no signs of slowing down.

Hundreds of thousands are swarming servers to the point devs are struggling to keep up. When players have been getting in, they’ve been so committed to the cause they’re refusing to switch their systems off.

However, it’s not all positive for the community, it seems. Helldivers first made a splash on PlayStation almost a decade ago. Now that its sequel is soaring to new heights, many are only just learning of the first game’s backstory and it’s proving to be a terrifying lesson.

“Looking more into the lore of Helldivers and Super Earth is just Super American,” an actual US Army veteran said on Twitter, spurring thousands more to chime in.

For those unaware, Helldivers aren’t exactly positioned as the ‘good guys.’ At least, depending on who you ask.

The goal of exterminating bugs is largely to extract their resources for our benefit. Automatons are all but enslaved to manipulate Super Earth’s democratic protocols. And another alien race we’re yet to see in the sequel, Illuminate, is essentially wiped out so humans can take their advanced technology.

Any pushback on these motivations, even so much as any questions on Super Earth’s objectives, the government is legally obliged to clamp down. Any mention of peace talks with the enemy could result in imprisonment or worse. In fact, one tidbit from the first game outlined how it’s even “illegal to express oneself openly” in that regard.

Helldivers 2 balance changes
Helldivers lore has been set in stone for almost a decade, but many are just now learning the truth.

As Helldivers 2 is exceedingly gameplay-oriented, with very little in the way of storytelling, much of this detailed lore remains under wraps, hidden away in the first game to potentially be drip-fed over the coming years in the new sequel.

But even with the lack of explicit narrative beats in the new release, the digging has begun and players have begun making some shocking realizations.

“It’s all a lie,” the US Army vet stressed to his fellow Helldivers. “They never attacked us. WE ARE THE BAD GUY!”

Hilariously, almost every single reply falls in line with the game’s fictional government and its modus operandi. “This post doesn’t celebrate democracy. Fighting in the interest of humanity? Sounds absolutely based. We can use those resources better, because we’re humans,” being just some of the responses.

“Treasonous scum. You are a threat to democracy with all these lies!” another player chimed in with a viral repost. “May your execution be swift yet painful. Super Earth prevails!”

Clearly having fun with it all, players are making it their real-world responsibility to maintain the good image of Super Earth and its people.

About The Author

Brad Norton is the Australian Managing Editor at Dexerto. He graduated from Swinburne University with a Bachelor’s degree in journalism and has been working full-time in the field for the past six years at the likes of Gamurs Group and now Dexerto. He loves all things single-player gaming (with Uncharted a personal favorite) but has a history on the competitive side having previously run Oceanic esports org Mindfreak. You can contact Brad at brad.norton@dexerto.com