Helldivers 2 features a brand new level, thanks to a recent patch, and part of the system appears to be a nod to Starship Troopers.
Earlier this week, Helldivers 2's new level cap was released, allowing players to level up to level 150 in their battle for Super Earth. You'll get the “10-star General” title at level 130, but then you'll get the “Special” title at level 140, before finally getting the weird “Extra Special” title for your character at final player level. 150.
Understandably, it's a bit surprising, but you only have to look at the 1997 movie Starship Troopers to see what's going on here. In Paul Verhoeven's fascist sci-fi parody, there is a Drill Sergeant character who mentors all the new mobile infantry cadets to whom protagonist Johnny Rico is recruited in order to proudly serve his nation.
The Drill Sergeant is such a hard-working character that he literally demotes himself to the rank of soldier, just to return to the battlefield and continue fighting like a good soldier against the alien bugs. What a good sport. Helldivers 2's new level cap system, which largely regresses in the final stage, appears to be a nod to the Drill Sergeant from Starship Troopers.
We're not the only ones making the (very obvious) connection between Helldivers 2 and Starship Troopers. When Arrowhead's new shooter was released in February, people flocked to the 1997 film, so much so that Starship Troopers saw a significant increase in viewership, as well as the number of people visiting its Wikipedia page.
Helldivers 2 and Starship Troopers go hand in hand as very explicit parodies of fascism and extreme militarism. If you haven't seen the sci-fi movie yet, we can't recommend it enough.
We are still entering into fascist parody, Helldivers 2 honors fallen soldiers with a free cape as part of the “Malevelon Creek Memorial Day”, including a presidential directive from the leader of Super Earth.
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