Helldivers 2 Review

Arrowhead Game Studios has always taken pride in making games that challenge conventions. The studio made a name for itself with the 2011 game Magicka, which combined co-op gameplay with a spellcasting system. That same spirit carried over into Helldivers, their 2015 shooter.

Helldivers was brutal yet fun, and the game didn't make it easy for you. A misfired stratagem could take your entire squad down, and friendly fire was never optional. But it was also a game that heavily relied on team coordination, so when things clicked, the joy was unmatched, or otherwise. Helldivers 2 follows in its predecessor's footsteps.

Helldivers remained something of a cult classic, praised but often overlooked. Fans of the franchise have been diehards; for years, they wanted a sequel that could bring the same energy of the first game to a wider audience without compromising the roots of the first game. Enter Helldivers 2, a game that not only delivers on those hopes but goes way beyond.

Helldivers 2 adapts a third-person shooter format, giving you a better view of the battlefield. This shift changes everything. You're in on the action. The terrain feels more alive, thus raising the stakes. The game presents a satirical take on galactic warfare. It's a complete overhaul in many ways of the first title, and one that brings the franchise into the spotlight it should be in. 

There's no traditional narrative campaign in Helldivers 2, but the game doesn't need one. The story is told through the war itself, a conflict between Super Earth and alien threats like the Terminids and the Automatons surrounding the entire galaxy. You're one of the Helldivers, soldiers dropped on the frontlines, to carry out missions and spread the values of democracy.

The lore is on the nose, filled with propaganda, patriotism, and humor, but the stakes are very real. Every mission you complete or fail has major ramifications on a global effort that shapes the galaxy. Planets can be liberated or lost based on the efforts of players across the world. It's a system that turns your individual victories into part of something much larger.

From the moment you select a mission on the galactic war map, the scale of Helldivers 2 is clear. Each planet has different environments, enemy types, difficulty levels, and objectives. Missions drop you onto alien worlds ranging from tropical jungles to snowy plains. The regular updates also suggest we are yet to see the end of these beautifully astute worlds.

The variety is noteworthy, not just in visuals but in gameplay. Some missions are straightforward, while others are not so much. They need you to defend outposts sometimes, at other times escort convoys, or complete multiple objectives under a time crunch. Every mission begins with a drop pod entry, where you and your team rush toward the surface, ready for combat.

The gameplay loop is simple. Drop in, complete your mission, and extract. But there's a noticeable distinction between the missions. Hazards like acid storms, sand tornadoes, and low visibility add an unpredictable edge to each run. Enemies spawn unpredictably, too, sometimes lying in wait and other times rushing you. You never know if your extraction will be a stroll to the ship or a last stand against waves of Terminids as your teammates scream for covering fire. The unpredictability is part of the thrill. 

Combat is where Helldivers 2 shines. Gunplay is impactful. Every weapon has its own identity, from your starting assault rifle to the heavy-duty railguns and shotguns you unlock as you progress in your game world. Enemy reactions are detailed, shooting a bug in the legs might slow it down, while blasting off its head ends the threat, swift and smooth. Armor matters, too, with certain enemies requiring specific weapons or weak-point targeting to take down.  

However, the stratagem system is what makes the game different. Stratagems are support tools you call down by using quick directional codes during battle. They range from airstrikes and defensive turrets to supply drops and even weapons. Choosing which stratagems to bring into a mission is a decision you must make carefully.

But using them in battle, while dodging enemies and reviving teammates, feels rewarding because you put a lot of thought behind each stratagem. You'll have moments where a misclicked code results in a turret falling on a friend's head, or where a perfectly timed airstrike saves the entire squad. It's hilarious at times, but satisfying when executed properly.

Friendly fire is always active. It's a core part of the experience. Your machine gun doesn't discriminate between bug and buddy, so beware of reckless shooting. This forces players to communicate, plan, and position themselves carefully, which is a rare sight to see in today's live-service gaming. In Helldivers 2, if you don't act like a team, you're dead. 

Progression is well-paced and avoids the traps of many live-service games. Completing missions earns you XP and medals, which can be spent on new gear and weapons. Rewards feel meaningful in the game, and there's always something new to try out. Most importantly, the game doesn't force you to chase upgrades to stay competitive. Everything is balanced to let you focus on fun, not farming.

Visually, Helldivers 2 is a sight to behold, and the world design is praiseworthy. Explosions light up the screen, and fog rolls in when you least expect it. Effects like fire, acid, and particle storms on the battlefield add a touch of uniqueness. Despite the chaos, performance remains solid across most systems, cementing Helldivers 2 as a force to be reckoned with in the world of third-person shooters. 

The audio design is equally strong. You can have a great game, but that doesn't necessarily make the game iconic. What makes Helldivers 2 iconic is its theme song. Helldivers 2 like iconic games we've had before; has a solid foundation that resonates with its audience and a theme song that stays embedded in your mind. The theme song adds an element of intensity whilst giving you motivation, which you might find yourself humming during a high-stakes battle. 

Gunfire has weight, explosions are explosive, and enemies crash down on you with menace. The soundtrack kicks in at just the right moments, aligned with the action. There's a rhythm to how the game sounds, whether you're calling in a stratagem or hearing your extraction ship arrive just in time. The constant radio chatter between characters and mission control adds personality and shows the satirical undertone of Helldivers 2.

What truly sets Helldivers 2 apart is how it builds a sense of community. Most live-service games talk about player-driven worlds, but Helldivers 2 actually delivers. You're not just completing missions for your own progression; you are involved in something bigger, which makes for compelling storytelling in and of itself, because your strategies and your decisions have consequences. Seeing a planet on the edge of liberation motivates you to jump in and help. 

When we talk about Helldivers 2, we must also talk about Sony. The game is revolutionary not only with its gameplay, but also because it's the gateway to a multiplatform bridge that we are seeing now between Sony and Xbox. With Helldivers 2 set to release on Xbox Series X|S on August 3, the game is bringing about a change, being the first PlayStation exclusive to drop on Xbox.

A change that's coming after some tedious wait, but as we say, better late than never, right? The community-building in Helldivers 2 is commendable, but what's even more impressive is that the game is also building a PlayStation-Xbox community that fans have long yearned for.

Arrowhead Studios seems to understand exactly what makes this formula work. So far, the developers have avoided the common undoing of the live-service model. There's no pay-to-win gear and no unnecessary monetization.

Updates have been frequent, with new stratagems, weapons, and enemies on the way. The promise of future factions and evolving war zones keeps the game feeling unpredictable, retaining the game's biggest strength. If they can keep this up, Helldivers 2 could set the gold standard for co-op shooters in the live-service era.

Helldivers 2 is a game where chaos and cooperation go hand in hand. Where the most intense firefights are followed by laughter. Where every mission is part of a greater struggle, and every player contributes to the outcome, which makes it easy to see why you would want to get behind the game and its motives. If it's your first time or if you're a veteran, Helldivers 2 is right where you want to be.