Helldivers 2 is the highly anticipated sequel to 2015’s Helldivers, Developed by Arrowhead Game Studios. This third person cooperative shooter takes players on a relentless journey across the galaxy, battling against overwhelming odds in the name of freedom and democracy.
The core gameplay of Helldivers 2 remains true to Its roots, emphasizing teamwork, strategy, and relentless action. Players assume the role of elite soldiers, called Helldivers, tasked with defending Super Earth from alien threats. The game's procedural generation ensures that no mission feels the same, keeping the experience fresh and unpredictable. Whether it's infiltrating enemy strongholds, escorting convoys, or extracting valuable resources, every mission requires careful coordination and tactical prowess.
Helldivers 2 starts you off doing basic training to prepare you for the relentless action you will face. Once you name your destroyer through the selection of helldivers provided, you then select your missions from across the universe. Choosing 1 - 3 missions (depending on your difficulty) you earn experience points to level up your rank, in game currency to purchase your stratagems when you reach certain levels in your rank, and medals from completing the main mission to unlock weapons and gear from your acquisitions. There is also material samples that you can find around the world as you are doing your mission to upgrade your destroyer.
Before you dive on planet to serve a big cup of liber-TEA, you can pick from all your stratagems, weapons and armor that you have unlocked through your progression. I officially like to use the eagle 500kg bomb, mortar sentry for my stratagems, CM-21 trench paramedic armor – which gives me the perk of 2 additional stims with increased effect duration by 2 seconds – and the weapon I can't live without, The Breaker. If you hurt your leg during a mission you can't run and if you hurt your arm your accuracy will go down, Some planets have effects that can reduce your visibility or have intense heat that increases stamina drain and speed up heat buildup in weapon.
Teamwork is not just encouraged – it's essential for survival. Communicating effectively with your fellow Helldivers, coordinating tactics, playing with friends or teaming up online with players from around the world is crucial to success. The camaraderie and adrenaline-fuelled action make every mission a memorable experience. As does its vibrant art style and dynamic environments. From lush alien jungles to desolate ice worlds, each planet is teeming with detail and atmosphere. The smooth animations and explosive effects further enhance the intensity of the battles, immersing players in the chaos of interstellar warfare. In terms of replay value, Helldivers 2 offers endless hours of entertainment. With a wide variety of missions, planets, and difficulty levels to conquer, the game encourages repeated playthroughs and the inclusion of dynamic events and community challenges ensures that there's always something new to discover and conquer.
After playing for 70 hours and a bit of a rocky launch, Helldivers 2 is a triumph of cooperative gaming, delivering thrilling action, deep customization, and endless replayability. It sets a new standard for cooperative shooters. Helldivers 2 is an essential addition to any gamer's library that I highly recommend.
Reviewed on PS5. Helldivers 2 is available on PS5 and PC. It is playable on Steam Deck.
