I’ve noticed a lot of criticism surrounding Mission Orders (MOs) in Helldivers, and it makes me wonder what players are realistically expecting from them. Mission Orders are meant to enhance immersion and storytelling, but there seems to be a constant barrage of complaints. Let’s be honest: we’re never going to win a definitive war against the alien threats because it would mean the end of the game. Instead, we’ll continually face battles that lead into more battles across various planets. So, what do you expect? Do you want to win? For all aliens to be gone? Or perhaps a break from MOs after a major victory? Also, I drew a parallel with the concept of the ‘Quantum Ogre’ from DnD, where no matter your choices, certain encounters are predetermined to enhance the experience. The developers put effort into creating these moments, and similar to the Ogre, MOs are crafted narratives that shouldn’t necessarily be expected to change based on the battles we win or lose. I love how engaged we all get with the narrative but let’s keep in mind the structure of the game.
5 Answers
Agreed, I’m just hoping for more ways to spend our medals! It feels a bit limited right now.
I get what you’re saying! I don’t think the Illuminate would be pulling off those hit-and-run tactics if we hadn’t defended Calypso. But in the Quantum Ogre scenario, our defenses don’t change the fact that Meridia was always going to start advancing. It’s like choosing a path in a forest; regardless of which one you take, you’re reaching the same encounter at the end. I’d love to see more varied mission types that fit into different themes, like extracting researchers or staff. They could reuse maps with different flavors for added variety, enhancing that war feel!
Great write-up! I mostly align with your views, but I’ve never heard anyone refer to Major Orders as “Mission Orders” before.
Totally agree with your point! The Galactic War is central to Helldivers; it’s all about community collaboration to push the story forward. Sure, sometimes there are filler orders that can feel stale, but no one’s obligated to play every single one. If you’re not into it, it’s totally cool to step away and wait for more engaging content. Not every player cares about the story, and that’s okay, but we should remember the game isn’t specifically designed for that type of gaming experience.
Absolutely with you on all this! Just think about how Helldivers 1 allowed for actual wins and losses in wars; there’s every reason Helldivers 2 can incorporate that too!
