Helldivers 2 has surpassed the popularity of God of War on Steam, making it the most played PC port in PlayStation’s history. Developed by Arrowhead Game Studios, the first Helldivers game was released on PS3 in 2015. Although it didn’t achieve immediate success, the foundation for a great game was already established. At that time, the concept of a “live service” game was unfamiliar to gamers. However, everything changed with the release of Fortnite in 2017.
The sequel takes the original vision to a whole new level. Players assume the role of brainwashed soldiers, similar to those in Starship Troopers, who spread “freedom” and “democracy” on bug and cyborg-infested planets on behalf of Super Earth’s Ministry of Truth. The game revolves around a massive spaceship, which can be upgraded using unique resources collected during “liberation” campaigns. These upgrades enhance the efficiency of your stratagems, which are essentially a range of airstrikes that can be called upon from above to unleash devastating attacks on your enemies. The more you play and upgrade, the better your gear becomes, leading to a more enjoyable experience. It’s an incredibly addictive cycle that keeps players engaged.
Helldivers 2 is not a single-player game, so if you prefer playing alone, it may not be the right choice for you. It is designed with co-op gameplay in mind and truly shines when players communicate and collaborate with their team members to wreak havoc on their enemies. Friendly fire is always enabled, resulting in hilarious and memorable moments when you accidentally eliminate your own team.
One aspect that surprised me was how the game manages to stay fresh. With nine difficulty levels to choose from, you can tailor the missions to fit your playstyle and skill level. While the design of the enemies remains relatively unchanged, their types and behaviors vary. As you progress to higher difficulty levels, new enemies will appear in larger numbers, adding to the challenge.
Although the game currently lacks vehicles apart from your main base of operations, the developers have hinted at the possibility of introducing them in the future. A trailer showcased a mech called the EXO-44 Walker Exosuit, equipped with a heavy three-barrel minigun and multi-rocket launcher. Arrowhead has stated that more mechs may be added to Helldivers 2, including the EXO-48 ‘Obsidian’ Exosuit and EXO-51 ‘Lumberer’ Exosuit.
Image: Arrowhead Game Studios
The maps in Helldivers 2 are not particularly large, but unfortunately, there are no transport vehicles available during missions, similar to Starfield. Instead of a jetpack, players are equipped with a jump pack that requires a lengthy recharge after each use. This gear is more suited for creating distance between the player and the enemy.
It would be great if the game included ATVs or a transport vehicle like the M5 APC (Armored Personnel Carrier) and M5-32 HAV from the first Helldivers. However, these vehicles were mostly part of paid downloadable content (DLC), which could potentially disrupt the game’s style if the same strategy is applied here. A safer approach would be to offer them as free updates and provide paid skins for players who want to customize their vehicles. The focus should be on cosmetic enhancements rather than pay-to-win mechanics.
Helldivers 2 is exclusively available on PC and PlayStation 5 for $40. However, it’s important to note that the game is not without its flaws. Even three days after launch, the matchmaking system is still partially broken, making it frustrating to find other players to join and repeatedly encountering “Connection failed” messages. Therefore, there’s no rush to purchase the game at this moment.
Another issue I encountered was the lower resolution on PlayStation 5 compared to the PC version. The visuals appear blurry on the PS5, which is understandable considering the intense gameplay where four players can unleash devastating attacks on enemy bugs and reshape the landscape with 500kg warheads.
While the matchmaking problem is expected to be resolved soon, there may be limited options to address the lower resolution on PS5. Nevertheless, Helldivers 2 remains an impressive game that pleasantly surprised me, and I intend to continue playing it without any intention of stopping.
According to the Source autoevolution.com