Helldivers 2 is back in the spotlight thanks to the surprise arrival of the Illuminate faction in the Omens of Tyranny update. After an exciting launch, the game’s player count had dropped a little, which is common for many new titles. But with the addition of the Illuminate, Helldivers 2 has seen a massive surge in popularity.
Big Jump in Player Count
Data from SteamDB shows a huge jump in players. Normally, the game had about 20,000 players at peak times, but it hit 137,735 players on a Thursday night, with 129,905 still playing as of the latest count. The game has even moved to the #1 spot on Steam’s Top Sellers chart, beating out other big titles like Marvel Rivals and Path of Exile 2. Plus, over one million players have joined the fight across PC and PS5 in just 24 hours.
What’s New in the Update?
The Illuminate faction, which surprised players at The Game Awards, has brought a lot of excitement with their zombie-like soldiers. This update has also added a 20% discount on Steam, encouraging new players to try the game.
Another major change is the new urban planet, Calypso. It’s the first city-like environment in Helldivers 2, which changes the way players need to think about their strategies and how they use weapons.
New Vehicles and Items
The update also introduces the Fast Recon Vehicle (FRV), a fast, off-road vehicle that players can use to get around. Though not yet available as a Stratagem (which allows you to call in things during battle), players will likely be able to unlock it soon.
There’s also the Urban Legends Premium Warbond, which includes new armor, weapons, and powerful new tools like a flamethrower turret and a defensive barrier for team protection.
What’s Next for Helldivers 2?
Thanks to the success of the Illuminate update, Helldivers 2 is once again thriving. Players are excited to see what new updates and content will come next. The game’s live-service model means there’s more to look forward to, with new weapons, vehicles, and even more content to come in the future.
FAQ
What is the Fast Recon Vehicle in Helldivers 2?
The Fast Recon Vehicle (FRV) is a new addition in Helldivers 2, introduced in the Omens of Tyranny update. It’s a four-person vehicle designed for high-speed transportation across the battlefield. It features a mounted machine gun on top and allows players to lean out of the windows to shoot enemies. The FRV is not yet available as a Stratagem but can be found in urban districts, specifically in the new Illuminate missions on Calypso. In the future, players will be able to call it in via Stratagems.
Where can I find the new Illuminate faction in the Omens of Tyranny update?
The Illuminate faction, part of the Omens of Tyranny update, can be found in the new urban districts added to the game. These districts are called colonies and are present in the Illuminate missions on the planet Calypso. You’ll find these districts featuring heavily urban environments, a new gameplay setting that requires players to adapt to urban warfare tactics, adding a new layer of strategy to the game.
How can I get the Urban Legends Premium Warbond in Helldivers 2?
The Urban Legends Premium Warbond is available as part of the Omens of Tyranny update. It includes new items like armor sets that improve reload speed and ammo carrying capacity, a new melee weapon (the CQC-19 Stun Lance), and a defensive barrier stratagem. To acquire the Warbond, you need to purchase it from the in-game shop using Warbond currency, which can be earned or purchased.