Over 100K Helldivers 2 players returned to the game to fight the Illuminate invasion, and barely won

More than 100K players returned to Helldivers 2 to bring a swift, democratic ass-kicking to the Illuminate, and somehow clawed back a victory in their first defense campaign. The faction has left the galactic map, where they’ll never be seen again. Right?

After months of teases, rumors, and community-led scuttlebutt surrounding it, the Illuminate faction finally appeared in Helldivers 2 and was just as quickly shown the door. The weekend saw 150K Helldivers 2 players on Steam fighting the Illuminate campaign on Calypso. After three days, Helldivers won the campaign with a margin of only 0.1%.

After reclaiming the planet, the Illuminate disappeared. Granted, it wasn’t exactly easy to kick the squids back to the void. The fight was a bit too close, claiming 38 million divers. Regardless, Super Earth made one hell of a statement.

Welcome to Super Erf

Helldivers 2 players are gluttons for punishment, and many are asking about the next deadly wave. I mean, Calypso was liberated so quickly that some were a bit disappointed. By that, I don’t mean they weren’t fun to fight. They were. But it just happened so fast. I hoped to get more games in this weekend, but the campaign was over before I realized it. I know I’m not the only one.

Of course, the Illuminate will stage a comeback. The first battle certainly feels like the alien faction was testing the waters. Helldivers 2 players will certainly see the Illuminate return for a bigger swing, but next time they’ll have fresh wheels. Fast Recon Vehicles will be available to purchase as a new Stratagem within the next few days. The latest Warbond, Urban Legends, comes with a new vehicle pattern (skin) for when that happens.

Until then, Helldivers 2 players will have to be patient some more. We’ve finished the appetizer; the main course is on the way.