Helldivers 2's big update revealed: "Escalation of Freedom" adds new and returning bots and bugs, more missions, bigger outposts, and difficulty 10 "Super Helldive"

GamesThird Person ShooterHelldivers 2Helldivers 2’s big update revealed: “Escalation of Freedom” adds new and returning bots and bugs, more missions, bigger outposts, and difficulty 10 “Super Helldive"When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.

GamesThird Person ShooterHelldivers 2Helldivers 2’s big update revealed: “Escalation of Freedom” adds new and returning bots and bugs, more missions, bigger outposts, and difficulty 10 “Super Helldive"When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.

Helldivers 2 - Escalation of Freedom Announcement Trailer | PS5 & PC Games - YouTubeWatch On

Helldivers 2 - Escalation of Freedom Announcement Trailer | PS5 & PC Games - YouTube

Helldivers 2 - Escalation of Freedom Announcement Trailer | PS5 & PC Games - YouTube

Helldivers 2 - Escalation of Freedom Announcement Trailer | PS5 & PC Games - YouTube

Helldivers 2’s first truly massive update is coming soon: “Escalation of Freedom” is due August 6, packing a huge injection of content across the game, from enemy and mission variety to difficulty and quality-of-life features.

Escalation of Freedom was revealed earlier today, with developer Arrowhead diving into the meat of it in a trailer andblog postfrom PlayStation. Difficulty 10, “Super Helldive,” may be the headliner for the most extreme players, but the new objectives, bots, and bugs should refresh the game for democracy lovers at all difficulties.

New Automatons include the artillery-style Rocket Tank, and as if that name alone wasn’t scary enough, there are also “some other bot surprises we’ll be throwing your way,” Arrowhead teases. This seems to include a Rocket Walker, based on the trailer, which is distinct from the Rocket Tank. Great: more rockets!

You’ll encounter these threats to democracy in new mission types such as larva retrieval, where you transport a live bug sample across a planet for no-doubt important science reasons. Its cries will bring the bugs right to you, so move fast. Based on the trailer, there seems to be a new bot mission tied to a research facility of some kind. “Many of our new mission objectives will be playable on other difficulty levels,” Arrowhead says, assuring fans who’d prefer to stay below Super Helldive and at least try to keep all their limbs on their body.

(Image credit: Arrowhead Game Studios / PlayStation)

Helldivers 2

Arrowhead shared a snapshot of an expanded bot fortress (above) and showed a massive bug nest in the trailer, assuring players that “these outposts will be heavily fortified, and require players to coordinate and strategize in order to take them out.” Your “great rewards” for tackling these include “brand new Super Sample rewards,” so get coordinating.

“What would the galaxy be without planets?” asks creative director Johan Pilestedt, introducing an apparent swamp planet where Arrowhead wanted to “spook it up” a bit. A new acid storm weather effect is also incoming, reducing armor for you and enemies alike, “which is just as horrifying as it sounds,” says design director Niklas Malmborg.

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“We have many more surprises in store for you,” Pilestedt concludes.

Helldivers 2 grunts pull off a clutch Major Order win with 43 minutes to spare, and High Command is so impressed that we’re all being given free mech suits for a while.

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1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”

Nemesis board game models and tokens laid out on a board

1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”

1

Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”

2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package”

2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package”

2

Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package”

3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure”

3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure”

3

Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure”

4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years”

4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years”

4

Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years”

5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths”

5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths”

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Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths”

1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show”

Shadow brandishes a gun in Sonic The Hedgehog 3

1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show”

1

Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show”

2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie”

2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie”

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3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action”

3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action”

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4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien”

4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien”

4

The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien”

5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite”

5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite”

5

Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite”

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1

Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat”

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2Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses”

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Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses”

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3Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist”

3

Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist”

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4Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”

4

Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”

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5Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place”

5

Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place”

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