Reading the little descriptors on each of the items in the war bonds in Helldivers 2 has always provided a little insight into the culture of Super Earth, as well as revealing the many different testaments and beliefs of this far-future, unique version of humanity. So one must ask, What is revealed in the latest “Servants of Freedom” war bond? Well, it definitely shows what I presume to be the fervent faith some Helldivers can have over Super Earth and Managed Democracy.
For starters the IE-3 Martyr and the IE-12 Righteous armor sets and helmets explain how they’re based on statues found on Super Earth. The Statues of Mournful and Judicious Liberty, the former of whom laments and cries at all the alien tyranny around “her,” while the other one is simply forever vigilant in most aspects of every day Super Earth society. Those that don the Martyr helmet are said to show dedication in the mission of “drying away her tears” by removing tyranny from galaxy.
This I feel shows an instance of what perhaps religion is like on Super Earth. As wearing the Mournful Liberty’s face and just the statues in general are generating ideas of Idolatry, i.e. the worshiping of items as holy or sacred in a religious sense. The text unfortunately does not say much about those that take the face of the Judicious, but one can assume they take civilian surveillance to a whole other degree.
Those are just the armor pieces, showing Idolatry, while everything else is showing a form of sacrifice. Helldivers that wish to give their lives to the cause would use these weapons as they are purposefully meant to hurt them, even kill them.
The LAS-17 Double Edge sickle is a new energy gun; however, the more you hold down the fire button, it will eventually deal increasing damage to you over time. The GP-31 Ultimatum due to its heavy weight does not fly far when you use it, almost guaranteeing your death in a fiery last act. The G-50 Seeker automatically seeks out targets that are near you, sure prioritizing the targets you ping, but you have to act very quick before it flies off on a Voteless right next to you. Even the armor passives after your death deal an explosive so powerful it takes down hulks—showing that even in death a Helldiver will still slay democracy’s enemies.
Of course the most obvious example is the Portable Hellbomb. Helldivers rush into as many enemies as they can before they all go off in the biggest explosion a Helldiver can possibly muster in the game. All giving their lives for, according to the Fre Liberam Cape and Banner, “…a complimentary will and testament amendment form, which guarantees the soon-to-be-deceased a prominent spot on the Wall of Martyrs.”
All of this shows to me as evidence of some form of religious movement in Super Earth, a kind of Warrior Religion that emphasizes sacrifice for the cause and so Mournful Liberty may one day stop crying. Which is a fascinating brief piece of storytelling getting into the mindset of some of S.E.A.F.’s most hyper-loyal Helldivers in the game. It also possibly hints at this Super Earth Religion (which I affectionately call the “Super Church”) that influence these Helldiver’s behind the scenes.
Do you agree with Sacrifice and Idolatry being the themes of this war bond? Share your thoughts on Boss Rush Network’s Discord, Facebook, or Twitter to continue conversation.
Featured Image: Arrowhead Games Studios
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