The latest update in *Helldivers 2* has brought the galactic conflict perilously close to home with an invasion of Super Earth. Amidst the turmoil, the Helldivers community received shocking news: the Illuminate have obliterated Mars, a planet that held a special place in the hearts of many players. In-universe reports have confirmed that the once-bustling Helldiver Training Sites on Mars, along with their dedicated facility operators, were destroyed in the attack, leaving players hungry for retribution.
When players open the Galaxy Map in *Helldivers 2*, they're greeted by the somber sight of Mars, now a destroyed but still visible mass of rock. The official news broke out on social media, with Helldivers NOW tweeting:
#Helldivers2 | #Helldivers2GalacticWar
⚠️⚠️⚠️ MARS HAS BEEN DESTROYED ⚠️⚠️⚠️ pic.twitter.com/sAzkM08qGz
— Helldivers NOW (@Helldivers_NOW) May 20, 2025
Mars had been the training ground for Helldivers gearing up to spread democracy across the galaxy until a recent update shifted the tutorial zones, hinting at the impending doom. The destruction of Mars by the Illuminate has struck a deeply sentimental chord among players, prompting the official *Helldivers 2* account to rally them with a call to "Avenge Mars" through a poignant post on X/Twitter:
Mars has been razed by the Illuminate. All Helldiver Training Sites across the planet, where rigorous, thorough, and safe training of the Galaxy's Elite has long occurred, have been destroyed. The expert and seasoned facility PA operators who facilitated the training died… pic.twitter.com/16yEhLK0MM
— HELLDIVERS™ 2 (@helldivers2) May 20, 2025
This emotional appeal has resonated strongly within the community. Players are fully embracing the narrative, with one sharing a GIF from *Starship Troopers* echoing Rico's resolve to avenge his destroyed hometown, and another posting the now-famous closed fist meme. The storytelling in *Helldivers 2* continues to engage players, who are not only rallying for the cause but also injecting humor into the situation. One user quipped, "Hey, the only people who are allowed to kill Helldivers on Mars are Super Earth Drill Instructors!" while others drew parallels to *DOOM* and other media.
As part of the *Heart of Democracy* update, which launched today, the invasion of Super Earth by the Illuminate is in full swing. Players can now join the fight to defend their home planet from the extraterrestrial squids, supported by new SEAF units, amidst the chaos. The future of this conflict will unfold over the next few Major Orders, and with developer Arrowhead Game Studios at the helm, more emotional twists and turns are likely on the horizon.
