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Helldivers 2 sells lies as the truth. That’s how propaganda works, of course. The parallels between Helldivers 2 and Starship Troopers are obvious, hence the tidal wave of “I’m Doing My Part!” memes and other in-jokes. It’s not just that they both depict a bumbling yet dramatic sci-fi war against giant insects. It’s that they both satirize the same things. Fascism, ultranationalism, and militarism are the butt of the joke. At least, they’re supposed to be. Some players have missed the game’s message or pretended it away, and it’s reminiscent of a problem the Warhammer 40k community faces. Helldivers 2 and 40k have a media literacy problem.
Media Literacy and Satire in Helldivers 2
Helldivers 2 isn’t coy about its message. Look at the Super Earth Ministry of Truth, which is an obvious reference to 1984. Look at “Managed Democracy,” a system that replaces voter autonomy with an AI-managed survey. Not enough for you? In the opening cutscene, two Helldivers stab a Terminid to death with a Super Earth flag, while a third Helldiver delivers a monologue. Super Earth harvests the Terminids for oil and wants to exterminate the Automatons for their ideology. The storytelling has the subtlety of sandpaper, and that’s by design. It’s a game that wants you to hop in a mech and stomp bugs without forgetting who the bad guy is.
In the community’s defense, most players are in on the joke. Helldivers and Space Marines are fascists, but it’s possible to enjoy a story that centers on the bad guys. Forget Starship Troopers for a moment. Look at Fight Club and American Psycho. When you see a TikTok or Reddit meme with someone talking about fighting for the glory of Managed Democracy, most of the time, they’re doing so with a wink and a nod. It’s the same way people cosplay Stormtroopers. The community reaction to Helldivers 2 has been a mix of thoughtful critique, rage-baiting, roleplaying, and actual obliviousness. It’s the last bit that’s concerning.
Helldivers 2 and Warhammer 40k
I don’t often hear someone take Helldivers 2 at face value, but when it happens, I feel the same ick that I do when people unironically sing the praises of the genocidal God-Emperor of Man in 40k. Appreciating Helldivers 2 for its subtext and themes only adds to the fun. That’s why I’m so discouraged when I hear people talk about wanting to ignore the politics and focus on the game. In Helldivers 2, just like Warhammer 40k and Starship Troopers, the politics IS the game. There’s nothing wrong with wanting to blow up robots, but we’re doing a disservice to the story and ourselves when we pretend that’s all that’s going on.
Helldivers 2 is available for PC and PlayStation 5.
