Massive Escalation of Freedom Major Update brings new bugs, bots and bigger outposts to Helldivers 2

Arrowhead has just revealed the next Major Update for Helldivers 2, and it’s the Escalation of Freedom. It’s arriving August 6th, and is the first Major Update to the game.

It introduces the ability to take on the new “Super-Helldive” CR10 difficulty, alongside new mission objectives, bigger enemy outposts, new Bugs and Bots, and environmental hazards.

Arrowhead has been consistently pumping out new narratives and directives for the game, though this will be the first of its kind that overhauls everything.

One of the key updates included will be that Arrowhead are fighting against ‘grief kicking,’ which is an issue resulting in people losing out on loot they would have once received. The solution is now that “all items can be picked up by the player before extraction,” making it impossible for people to lose out on loot thanks to trolls.

Specific focuses for the update includes the return of The Impaler, and a new “supercharged Brood Commander” in the shape of the Terminid Alpha Commander. There’s also going to be a huge change to the social menu, which has been a large issue for many who find the user experience outdated and inconvenient.

It’s refreshing to see Helldivers 2 getting its first Major Update. Especially considering recent news that the game dipped below 10,000 players for the first time. This is likely partly thanks to Arrowhead’s Summer Vacation, which although much-needed, likely saw player counts dropping.

While it’s great to see new bugs, bots and other gameplay improvements being addressed, under the hood there are a number of more subtle, welcome changes – including revisions to the kick mechanic. Time will tell if HD2 can recover to the hefty heights it was at just a few months ago, but this is certainly a statement of intent from Arrowhead that they’re determined their IP is here to stay

via PlayStation.