The Defense of Mort came down to the last few minutes before players were able to turn a projected defeat into a victory.
A stronger (and more painful) version of the Sickle, grenade-launching sidearm, and two new Medium armor sets also await.
Studio CEO Shams Jorjani spoke about how the development of Helldivers 2 was a team effort and that it will continue receiving support.
Johan Pilestedt kicked off his sabbatical by getting into a gam jam with senior devs from Arrowhead Game Studios.
It also fixes the STA-X3 W.A.S.P Launcher not targeting properly and jittering that could occur when aiming down sights with a scope.
Arrowhead's Johan Pilestedt asked to hear fans' speculation and also revealed concept art for a Star Fox-style shoot 'em up.
Palworld, Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, Black Myth: Wukong, and Elden Ring were also among the biggest sellers on the platform for the year.
Players can also complete a new Major Order in-game to claim the free W.A.S.P. Strategem, based on a Killzone 3 weapon.
The first part of the update adds the AC-1 Dutiful armor, the StA-52 Assault Rifle, a new banner, cape, and title in the Superstore.
The co-op shooter's Steam concurrent player count shot up to over 137,000 players, the highest it has been in over half a year.
On top of battling mind-controlled citizens of Super Earth in urban environments, players get a spiffy new Fast Recon Vehicle.
Arrowhead Game Studios' multiplayer shooter has hit another major milestone, it was revealed at the recent Golden Joystiq Awards.
"Hypothetically speaking, if both partners think it would benefit them from a financial/brand standpoint, it could," says Arrowhead Game Studios' Thomas Petersson.
The Ministry of Truth lends its arms and armor to the Helldivers, with a new pistol, shotgun, SMG, and more awaiting players.
Several weapons and Stratagems have received buffs, Heavy armor provides more damage reduction and much more in the new patch.
Automaton Hulks, Devastators and Gunships are less lethal, and Helldivers now take 50 percent less extra headshot damage.
The latest Premium Warbond delivers two new Stratagem Variants, weapons, and armor sets centred on corrosive gas damage.
Armor Penetration has also seen a rework, while several enemies like the Hulk, Impaler, Devastator, and Gunship are getting nerfed.
Arrowhead Game Studios is also looking into explaining balance changes in its patch notes and providing dedicated streams and blogs.
Game director Mikael Eriksson also revealed that the studio will re-examine its balance approach and update fire damage.