In Helldivers 2, players are faced with a morally questionable Major Order (MO) that requires them to assist High Command in enlisting refugee families to help construct the precarious Democracy Space Station (DSS). This superweapon is depicted as structurally unsound, lacking basic amenities such as beds and toilets, which raises serious concerns about the safety of those involved in its assembly.
This scenario reflects a troubling trend in the game where players are often compelled to make ethically ambiguous choices for the sake of advancing their missions.
The game’s narrative has previously pushed players to question their morals, such as when they were tasked with destroying bug offspring and sacrificing the health of sick children to expedite the DSS’s construction.
The current MO is viewed as potentially the most egregious yet, prompting discussions about the integrity of the game’s storyline. Recently, Arrowhead, the game’s developers, referred to the players’ failure to complete the latest MO as a “minor setback,” indicating that the construction of the DSS will continue despite these obstacles.
Arrowhead’s updates reveal that the DSS is now in its third phase of construction, but it still needs to be staffed. The developers suggest that High Command’s solution is to recruit families fleeing from the destructive forces of the Terminids, who are currently launching attacks from areas covered by a dangerous spore cloud known as The Gloom. This strategy underscores a grim reality where these families are being exploited as cheap labor under dire circumstances to fulfill the demands of a military project.
As players engage in this MO, their objectives involve securing the planets affected by the Terminid attacks to facilitate the relocation of these families to the DSS. Even though players have achieved some goals, like capturing vital resources and curbing territorial expansion, the overall success of the mission remains uncertain as they grapple with the challenge of re-establishing control over critical areas.
The ultimate purpose of the DSS is still unclear, contributing to the moral dilemmas faced by the players. Arrowhead has hinted that the DSS could become a significant strategic asset, similar to the Death Star from Star Wars, with the potential to reshape the galactic map and influence the war’s outcome. However, specific details about its functions and implications are vague, leaving players to reflect on the ethics of their involvement in its construction and the potential consequences for the galaxy at large.
