Helldivers 2 has seen a significant backlash from its player base following the implementation of kernel-level anti-cheat software in an update on October 20. The game's Steam user score has plummeted, currently sitting at a "Mostly Negative" rating with only 37% positive reviews out of the last 10,000 user submissions.
The primary source of player frustration stems from the Easy Anti-Cheat (EAC) system's incompatibility with numerous game mods. Some players argue that these mods address long-standing issues within the game that developer Arrowhead Game Studios has yet to rectify. Mods like the "Vanilla Plus Megapack," which enhance quality-of-life features such as stratagem-toss physics and Hellpod steering, are now non-functional for many.
Furthermore, a substantial number of users are reporting that EAC is preventing them from launching Helldivers 2 altogether. While workarounds exist for some of these launch failures, the fact that the new software is breaking the game for previously unaffected players is a major contributor to the negative reviews. Beyond technical issues, EAC's kernel-level access, granting it extensive control over a user's system, raises privacy concerns for a segment of the player base.
While the intent to combat cheaters is understood, players are questioning the trade-off, particularly in a cooperative, player-vs-environment (PvE) title where cheating's impact is perceived as less detrimental than in player-vs-player (PvP) games. The situation has been further exacerbated by reports of players bypassing the new anti-cheat, exhibiting exploits such as machine guns firing mini-nuke projectiles and near-infinite Exosuit spawns, fueling the sentiment that the update has been poorly received.
This is not the first time Helldivers 2 has faced player-driven controversy. Following its strong launch in 2024, the game experienced a near-review bomb when Sony attempted to enforce a mandatory PlayStation Network login requirement. The widespread backlash successfully reversed that decision. Previous player grievances have also included the game's microtransaction-heavy Warbonds and contentious balancing adjustments. Given Arrowhead's past willingness to retract unpopular decisions, as seen with the PSN login mandate, it remains to be seen whether this current wave of opposition will lead to the rollback of the Easy Anti-Cheat implementation.
Helldivers 2 is currently available on PlayStation 5, Windows PC, and Xbox Series X/S.