There is currently a very funny, kind of sad dust-up over Helldivers 2, in which self-proclaimed “anti-woke” gamers have previously heralded it as a rare game where they believe “politics” does not play a factor. Their faith was been shaken by an Arrowhead community manager they believed they found to be (gasp) progressive who was then subsequently harassed, but their head-scratching reading of Helldivers 2 as a “non-political” game is worth examining.

The only thing that makes sense is that these players have the shallowest of surface-level readings of the game. You are a patriotic soldier serving Super Earth. You must kill bugs and evil robots trying to hurt your brothers-in-arms and innocent citizens. There are no storylines to insert progressive causes into, everyone wears helmets so no “forced diversity.” Therefore, no politics.

Of course, this is…wildly off the mark, as Helldivers 2 is about the most blatantly obvious satire of militaristic fascism since the film that inspired it, Starship Troopers.

  • Queen HawlSera@lemm.ee
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    7 months ago

    I’m a Leftist who watched One Punch Man, doesn’t that show imply that gays are rapists and that anyone without a job most be lazy? Not very progressive…

    • RGB3x3@lemmy.world
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      7 months ago

      They definitely make fun of the rich though with the guy who’s building has a golden turd on top of it.

      I don’t remember any part that implied anything about gays being rapists, what part are you referring to?

      • AnyOldName3@lemmy.world
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        7 months ago

        Purdy Purdy Prisoner is both gay and a rapist, and the two aspects aren’t presented as orthogonal.

        • RGB3x3@lemmy.world
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          7 months ago

          Lol, how could I have forgotten that character.

          I never got that impression that the two aspects were inseparable. And he is a very exaggerated representation of a gay man, so maybe it’s that exaggeration that hints at it making fun of those who think gay people are all flamboyant rapists.

          Though, I admit it sounds like a stretch.

            • Kedly@lemm.ee
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              7 months ago

              This IS Japan we are talking about, anime FREQUENTLY draws black women more muscular than men, and other such shit thats noooooot the greatest