GamesThird Person ShooterHelldivers 2Helldivers 2’s new weapon is a “real tentacle-tearer,” fuelling conspiracies about the Illuminate faction’s return or another Terminid variantWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
GamesThird Person ShooterHelldivers 2Helldivers 2’s new weapon is a “real tentacle-tearer,” fuelling conspiracies about the Illuminate faction’s return or another Terminid variantWhen 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.
(Image credit: Sony)

Helldivers 2’s Polar Patriots Warbondis adding a bunch of snow-themed treats to the co-op shooter next week, though the description for a new high calibre assault rifle is what’s given many divers pause, and fuelled theories about either a returning enemy faction or a returning Terminid variant. Over on the PlayStationblog, the A6-61 Tenderizer is described as a “real tentacle-tearer.”
Those familiar with the first game in the series obviously interpreted this as a reference tothe Illuminate, the squid-like alien faction that once terrorized divers with psychic abilities before Super Earth forces crushed them, maybe temporarily. Whispers about the faction’s return ran rampant whenblue energy beams were (allegedly) spotted sniping at diverslast month.
The other, potentially more worrying possibility is that the “tentacle-tearer” might refer to the first game’s Terminid Impaler, an armored bug type that burrows into the ground and closes large distances using its tentacles. Just yesterday, reports from the Terminid systems detailedgiant underground tunnels that were thought to be teasing the return of the Hive Lords, but they could just as easily house the subterranean Impalers too.
Should Hive Lords or Impalers be added to the game, Helldivers 2 soldiers are going to be in for a world of insect-ridden pain. Developer Arrowhead already declared that"bots are now easier than bugs"- but only because bugs have been significantly buffed.Helldivers 2 players also recently discovered signs of other very big bugs to come.
Helldivers 2 PC players will be forced to link to a PSN account later this month.
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1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”
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”
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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”
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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”
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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”
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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”
1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show”
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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
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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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3Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist”
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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”