Helldivers 2 may be preparing to pay homage to one of its most controversial moments. Dataminers have reportedly uncovered evidence of the long-rumored “Review Bomb Cape” in the game’s latest update, suggesting that Arrowhead Game Studios could soon deliver on a promise made during a turbulent period in the game’s history.

A Symbol of Rebellion

The “Review Bomb Cape” originated as a tongue-in-cheek response to the now-infamous PlayStation Network (PSN) account controversy that shook the Helldivers 2 community in May 2024. When publisher Sony attempted to mandate PSN account linking for PC players many of whom lived in regions without PSN access the Helldivers 2 community responded with a wave of negative Steam reviews. The review bombing campaign was so large that it temporarily dragged the game’s user rating into “Overwhelmingly Negative” territory.

In the midst of the chaos, Arrowhead CEO Johan Pilestedt sympathized with fans and jokingly suggested the team might create an in-game cape to commemorate the ordeal. The concept? A bold red design inspired by the dramatic drop in Steam reviews a badge of Honor for players who stood their ground.

Cape Confirmed But Not Released

While Arrowhead never officially added the cape to the game, Pilestedt later confirmed it was real and fully completed, stating that the studio was “waiting for the right time” to release it. That time may be fast approaching. According to recent datamines of Helldivers 2’s newest patch, files related to a previously unreleased cape—believed to be the Review Bomb Cape have been discovered, including textures and internal references matching the original concept.

Though no official announcement has been made, the appearance of these files in the latest game update suggests the cape could be added to player inventories in the near future, potentially as a free cosmetic or limited-time reward.

A Turning Point

The controversy surrounding the PSN account linking ultimately ended in a rare corporate reversal. Sony scrapped the policy after widespread community pushback and mounting negative publicity. This decision was praised across the gaming industry as a major win for player voices, with Arrowhead credited for advocating on behalf of their community during the dispute.

The Review Bomb Cape has since become a fan-requested item not just for its style, but for what it represents. It’s a tribute to collective action, a reminder that player feedback still has power, and a symbol of a studio that listens.

Waiting for Deployment

Arrowhead has already released other community-themed content in recent patches, including the “Battle for Super Earth” commemorative cape. While the studio has remained tight-lipped about the Review Bomb Cape’s launch date, the presence of its files in the game’s data suggests the countdown has begun.

If released, the cape could mark one of the first times a developer has formally acknowledged a review bombing campaign with in-game content not out of defiance, but as a gesture of unity and understanding.

For now, players are watching and waiting. In true Helldiver fashion, the mission isn’t over until the cape drops.

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Stay tuned for updates as the story develops. Helldivers never retreat and apparently, neither do their capes.