Helldivers 2 has decided to answer one of the most intense review bombing campaigns in recent memory with a rather cheeky gesture: a free in-game cape for all players. This cape isn’t just a random cosmetic; it’s a nod to the backlash the game faced after a controversial PC requirement stirred up the community.
Shortly after its launch, Arrowhead Studios and publisher Sony required players to log in to the PlayStation Network on PC to play Helldivers 2. This move didn’t sit well with the sizable fanbase and provoked a wave of negative reviews on Steam, significantly impacting the game’s public perception. The backlash was so fierce that the developers eventually reversed the policy, making PSN optional for all their PC titles going forward.
If you take a look at the pattern of those negative reviews on Steam, it’s clear why the developers decided to immortalize that moment. The new cape, called the Pillars of Freedom, mirrors the shape of the review bombing pattern, turning player frustration into a wearable badge of honor. It’s kinda like turning lemons into lemonade, except the lemons were angry Steam reviews.
Claiming this cape is simple: it will be available in your in-game inbox over the coming days. Whether you think the reaction to the login requirement was justified or over the top, owning this cape is a way to remember that wild chapter in the game’s history.
It’s a rare move to see a developer embrace criticism so openly, and it kinda makes you wonder—how many other games would do the same? Yikes, right? But hey, it’s a clever way to turn a negative into something players can enjoy.
COMMEMORATIVE CAPE ISSUED
In honor of their unquestioning commitment to the defense of Managed Democracy, the Helldivers have been awarded a commemorative cape. The new uniform piece will be available in all Super Destroyer Armories as soon as the rollout is complete.
This… pic.twitter.com/DOWaFHU40N
— HELLDIVERS™ 2 (@helldivers2) June 27, 2025
Have you snagged the cape yet? What do you think about this way of dealing with player backlash? Drop your thoughts below, I’m curious if you see this as a fun wink or just rubbing salt in the wound.
