Helldivers 2 players' favorite new game feature isn't a shiny new gun or stratagem, it's a good old-fashioned kick. The new Urban Legends Warbond has several new weapons, stratagems, outfits, recolors, and more, but the fan-favorite new addition to the series is the Spartan emote. Called "This Is Democracy" in clear reference to the movie 300, the emote doesn't just look awesome but is also functional. It can be used to send other players and enemies flying backward, leading to some hilarious moments.

Players have been using the emote to kick teammates out of the way of danger, as Redditor Goodvyn does in a clip that shows them knocking the player out of the way of an incoming Charger, saving them from being pancaked against the rocks behind them. The kick can also be used to make fellow players fall over purely for comedic effect, as LastTimeLord11 shares in an image on Reddit that has several Super Earth soldiers lying prone in a pile in the middle of the ship.

Fans find it funny that the kick is the most popular new addition to the game from the Warbond, which also includes some excellent new addition to any soldier's arsenal. "Thank you Super Earth's scientists," says the Redditor Goodvyn, "for the invention of kicking."

Spartan-Style Kicking Has Taken Over In Helldivers 2

The Move Can Be Used To Launch Friends And Enemies Alike

As the name implies, the Helldivers 2 emote "This Is Democracy" is a high kick that resembles the famous kick from the movie 300, in which Leonidas yells "This is Sparta" as he kicks a messenger into a deep pit behind him. The official trailer for the Urban Legends Warbond on the Playstation YouTube channel even includes a recreation of the movie scene, showing a Super Earth soldier valiantly kicking an Illuminate unit into a gaping chasm behind it.

Unfortunately, the Helldivers 2 emote does not come with a thunderous proclamation that "This Is Democracy," but it does have some very practical uses. The kick can be used to push enemies away, kick players out of the way of danger (or, if a valiant sacrifice is needed, into danger), and even ensure that other fighters get their much-needed nap-time in.

Our Take: Helldivers 2 Is Withstanding The Test Of Time Thus Far

Regular Updates And Open Communication Keep The Game Going Strong

Helldivers 2 has achieved massive success, selling 12 million copies according to review-bombing of the game on Steam. Despite all the setbacks, developer Arrowhead Game Studios has made Helldivers 2 a beloved game once again, bouncing the title back from the brink of obscurity.

At the time of this writing, the game's recent Steam Reviews are back up to "Very Positive" and fans are becoming engrossed in the battle to defend Super Earth against bigger and stronger threats. Helldivers 2 has recently added the long-rumored Illuminate faction, giving players a reason to return to the front line of defense. Additions both large and small, from huge new content expansions to smaller updates like a functioning Spartan kick emote, will help Helldivers 2 remain a beloved title for many devoted fans in the future.

Source: Goodvyn/Reddit, LastTimeLord11/Reddit, Playstation/YouTube, PC Gamer