Helldivers 2 has surged to the number two spot on the global Steam charts following its massive new update.

The 'Devoid of Liberty' update, which dropped on August 12, tasks players with pushing into the Void sector to curb the expansion of the Illuminate. Within this Void territory, players must contend with mutated units like Crushers and Retchers. Furthermore, a support system has been introduced where Super Earth NPC allies drop directly onto the battlefield to assist with combat and medical aid. Reloading mechanics have also been relaxed, allowing for high-speed reloading if only one player carries the backpack. On top of that, the level cap has been raised to 300, and quality-of-life adjustments—such as stim input timing corrections and reduced landing recovery times—have been implemented.

The update also introduces a Warhammer 40,000 collaboration warbond alongside a series of balance tweaks. Players can now enjoy an expanded emote wheel with eight slots, and reserve ammunition for magazines and secondary weapons has been boosted. The Eagle Napalm Airstrike and anti-tank mines have seen their power and area-of-effect increased. Moreover, the developer has ironed out some existing bugs, including improvements to the GATER vehicle's speed and handling, as well as fixes for crashes and missing Super Credit spawns.

Since the update, Steam user reviews have settled at 'Mostly Positive' (77%). While many still enjoy the core gameplay, there is a vocal contingent pointing out that technical stability has taken a nosedive, with frequent crashes, freezes, and frame rate drops even on systems that previously ran the game without issue. Others have been less than kind regarding the balance of the Void forces and the nature of the collaboration warbond.

Meanwhile, separate from official updates, a Korean voice dub mod for Helldivers 2 has gained traction on Nexus Mods. What began as an AI-dubbing project has evolved into a professional production through a collaboration with Sound Production DR14, integrating voice packs from professional voice actors to significantly heighten immersion.

Elsewhere, Phantom Blade Zero has snatched the top spot following the start of its pre-orders. The interest likely stems from the recent trailer and a price point that fans found surprisingly reasonable. Hell Let Loose: Vietnam, launching tomorrow, sits at third, while the remastered version of Lord of the Rings: War in the North entered the charts at sixth following its Steam release.

In terms of peak concurrent players, the co-op climbing game Peak has made a rare appearance in the top tier, reaching 113,024 players thanks to its final major update. Helldivers 2 also saw its numbers climb to 146,751, securing the eighth position.