Summary
Helldivers 2is very clearly inspiredby the likes of Starship Troopers, and it only needs a soldier to look into the screen and say “I’m doing my part!” to be a straight-up adaptation. It’s a game that mocks itself pretty regularly, as players spread Managed Democracy for the glory of Super-Earth, and it constantly wears its inspirations on its sleeve.
Arrowhead also makes sure not to waste an opportunity to reference its inspirations, as the game’s increased level cap has provided them an excellent way to reference one of the movie’s most notable characters (thanksGamesRadar). Earlier this week, theHelldivers 2 level cap was increased from 50 to 150, bringing with it various new titles for players to earn.
As you might expect, your title sounds more important the higher your level goes, such as ‘Fleet Admiral’ and ‘Admirable Admiral’ at levels 60 and 70, and ‘Hell Commander’ and ‘General’ at levels 100 and 110. Things get a little weird when you reach level 140 though, as you appear to get busted down from ‘10-Star General’ to ‘Private’, which is completely baffling if you’re not in on the joke.
You’re Following In The Footsteps Of Sergeant Zim
If you have seen Starship Troopers, then you’ll probably know exactly what Helldivers 2 is referencing. In the movie, a Drill Sergeant called Zim instructs the 6th Mobile Infantry Division, which protagonist Johnny Rico is a part of. When things go a little bit pear-shaped in the war, Drill Sergeant Zim heads to his Commander’s office and demands to be transferred to the frontlines so he can help fight.
His request is denied by his Commander, who says that the only way he’ll get to leave his current post is if he was to bump himself down to Private, so that’s exactly what he does. Obviously, the title of Drill Sergeant is pretty prestigious, and Helldivers 2 is clearly referencing the moment in the movie by bumping you down to Private after you’ve worked so hard to become a 10-Star General.
Once you hit max level, you then become a Super Private, which is an absolutely baffling title when you compare it to the real-life military, but at least it isn’t as strange as ‘Admirable Admiral’. Still, we’re going to need all the Super Privates we can get to fight off the Automaton forces, who have recently bolstered their ranksby adding flying robots to the battlefield. It’s absolute chaos out there right now, but I know you’ll make Private Zim proud.
