Helldivers 2’s Latest Major Order Presents Players With a Moral Dilemma: Save Sick Kids or Unlock a New Stratagem

ign.com:

Helldivers 2’s ongoing Galactic War has taken yet another interesting turn by presenting players with something of a moral dilemma: work together to save sick children from certain death or unlock a new stratagem.

The in-universe announcement from Super Earth, below, details the explosive PlayStation 5 and PC co-op shooter’s new Major Order: liberate Vernen Wells, which is home to thousands of civilian survivors trapped inside a children’s hospital, or liberate Marfark, which will in turn unlock the MD-17 Anti-Tank Mines stratagem. Both planets are currently held by the Automatons, Helldivers 2's terrifying robot enemy faction.

MAJOR ORDER: Helldivers, a difficult decision lies ahead. Will you save the trapped survivors on Vernen Wells or the raw ingredients for the MD-17 Anti-Tank Mines on Marfark? pic.twitter.com/U6wiK48YH2

It’s a cool development from developer Arrowhead, whose Game Master Joel pulls the strings of Helldivers 2’s meta narrative from the shadows. And while this is all just a bit of fun, already the community is stressing over what to do.

“We can create more kids, we need the mines now,” reads a post from one player. “We're never getting those mines….” said another. Some are even suggesting Arrowhead is hiding some secret reward behind saving the children, although that doesn’t sound like a very Super Earth thing to do.

Given how hardcore Helldivers 2 players have struggled to shepherd the wider player base in a single direction for previous Major Orders, there’s a risk here that neither planet is liberated, which would be awful for everyone. Perhaps there’s time for both to be saved. It will be interesting to see which way the galactic wind blows on this one.

This Major Order comes ahead of this week’s new jungle-themed premium warbond and hotly anticipated game-changing patch, which makes over 100 fixes and improvements to Helldivers 2. Both should hit on Thursday, June 31.

This week is a big one for Helldivers 2 and Arrowhead, which recently revealed