Helldivers 2 Review - The Best Action Game of 2024
PS5 and PC Release Date : Feb 8, 2024.
Developer : Arrowhead Game Studios.
Publisher : PlayStation PC LLC.
Metascore : 82.
Helldivers 2 emerges as a rare modern multiplayer game that meets and exceeds the lofty expectations set by its memorable prequel. The first game, often likened to the chaotic interstellar warfare of "Starship Troopers," carved a niche for itself with its intense third-person shooter gameplay and compelling cooperative play experience.
As a Sony-published game, the original Helldivers set a high bar, mixing strategic depth with frenetic action in a challenging and immensely satisfying way.
Entering the fray, Helldivers 2 carries the weight of such expectations on its shoulders, tasked with not only replicating the special game experience of its predecessor but also expanding upon it in meaningful ways.
This Helldivers 2 review will delve into how the sequel honors its roots while introducing new elements that enrich the overall experience. From the outset, it's clear that the developers aimed to preserve the essence of what made the prequel so engaging while also pushing the envelope to offer players new challenges, more diverse gameplay mechanics, and an even richer arsenal of weapons.
As we dive deeper into the world of Helldivers 2, it's evident that this sequel is poised to redefine what it means to play a cooperative, strategic, third-person shooter in today's gaming landscape.
If you want to play this title, remember that the HELLDIVERS 2 Steam CD Key is available for purchase on RoyalCDKeys.
Pros |
Cons |
Wildly entertaining and chaotic gameplay. |
No option for offline play. |
Cross-platform play available for PS5 and PC users. |
Occasional matchmaking and server issues. |
Reasonable in-game purchases. |
Presence of some bugs and glitches. |
Helldivers 2 Review - The Best Action Game of 2024
System Requirements
These requirements ensure that you can experience smooth gameplay and detailed environments. If you want to dive into the action-packed world of Helldivers 2 on PC, here's what you'll need to ensure your system is up to the task.
Minimum System Requirements:
64-bit processor and operating system.
CPU: Intel Core i7-4790K or AMD Ryzen 5 1500X.
RAM: 8 GB.
Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti or AMD Radeon RX 470 with 4GB dedicated VRAM.
OS: Windows 10.
Free Disk Space: 100 GB.
Recommended System Requirements:
64-bit processor and operating system.
CPU: Intel Core i7-9700K or AMD Ryzen 7 3700X.
RAM: 16 GB.
Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 or AMD Radeon RX 6600XT with 6GB dedicated VRAM.
OS: Windows 10.
Free Disk Space: 100 GB.
Game Story
In the heart of Helldivers 2 lies a galactic war that spans the vastness of space, pitting the elite forces of Super Earth against alien threats. The game offers a compelling tale that challenges you on the battlefield and with the moral and ethical dilemmas you face.
The narrative takes you to a future where humanity, under the banner of "Managed Democracy," seeks to spread its ideals across the cosmos, one planet at a time. The objectives are clear: secure worlds, neutralize enemies and ensure the safety of Super Earth and its expansive territories.
You take on the role of Helldivers, highly trained soldiers tasked with executing dangerous missions on hostile planets. The lore of Helldivers 2 is rich with tales of these brave souls dropping into hot zones, navigating treacherous terrain, and fighting their way to the extraction zone, all while battling hordes of alien bugs and other extraterrestrial menaces.
The story is not just one of conquest and warfare; it's a narrative that questions the cost of spreading "Managed Democracy" and the true meaning of freedom. As you progress, you'll uncover the complexities of the conflict, the diversity of life in the galaxy, and the sacrifices made in the name of Super Earth.
Squad Dynamics
Helldivers 2 is better when playing with friends. The gameplay's essence is deeply based on the dynamics of squad-based cooperation. This title isn't just another co-op shooter, it's proof of just how much fun playing with a solid squad can be, especially when compared to the unpredictability of teaming up with random players. The importance of a well-coordinated team becomes clear from the moment you complete basic training and step into intergalactic warfare.
I remember one mission I played with my friends where the entire squad was dropped onto a hostile zone full of Termanids, the bug aliens. We were running to the hills for safety and bumped into a giant scary bug that was leaking acid everywhere. We threw everything at it - bullets, airstrikes, grenades, orbital cannons, etc. Somehow, we managed to take it down, and all of us returned to our ship before we got swamped by more bugs.
The level of communication and strategy required was unlike anything I've experienced. We had to constantly cover each other's backs, call out enemy positions, and strategically deploy our assets to survive. The thrill of successfully completing that mission, knowing that every member played a crucial role, was exhilarating.
Playing Helldivers 2 with friends expands the experience and transforms the game. It brilliantly showcases the depth of its cooperative gameplay, making every session with friends a memorable adventure.
Mission Variety
With a whole universe to explore and with main and optional objectives, Helldivers 2 offers a wide array of missions, each with unique challenges and objectives, ensuring the battle for Super Earth never grows stale. The game keeps missions fresh by incorporating diverse environments and tasks, ranging from destroying alien bug nests to deactivating enemy defenses.
As you traverse over 200 planets, you'll encounter varied terrains and conditions, from waterlogged marshes to snow-covered landscapes, each presenting its own set of tactical considerations.
This environmental diversity ensures that no two missions ever feel the same, even when the quests might be similar. The thrill of adapting to new challenges and employing different strategies to achieve victory keeps the gameplay dynamic and exciting.
Arsenal at Your Disposal
In Helldivers 2, the arsenal at your disposal is nothing short of impressive, offering great weapons that make every play session feel fantastic. There's something for every playstyle, from the standard-issue rifles to more exotic special weapons.
Each weapon's tactile feedback and sound design contribute to a deeply immersive experience, where every shot fired and every explosion feels impactful. It also adds a complexity layer at the moment you have to decide on the right weapon for the mission.
Helldivers 2 really spoils you with impressive weapons you can grab for your Super Destroyer after each quest. The game also scatters weapons all over the place during missions, and sometimes, special events pop up, giving you a cool Stratagem to use for a bit, even if you haven't unlocked it yet.
Haven't got a fancy weapon yet? Then, you'll likely stumble upon a temporary weapon on your current mission and later be able to afford a better one after it's over. Sure, you can keep the guns you find, but testing them out during missions or these special events is a great way to figure out what you like before spending your hard-earned in-game currency.
My go-to weapon is the Anti-Material Rifle. It's a beast at taking down those giant acid-spitting bugs from a safe distance. The Railgun is also a total game-changer. I just aim, shoot, and watch my problems dissolve away. Additionally, here are other top weapons you can try in this game:
Laser Drone (Guard Dog.)
SG-225IE Breaker Incendiary.
Eagle Airstrike.
P-19 Redeemer.
P-2 Peacemaker (The best name for a weapon.)
Strategic Gameplay Elements
Helldivers 2 stands out as one of the most fun multiplayer shooters, not just for its thrilling third-person action but for the deep strategic elements that demand teamwork and quick thinking. The game elevates the combat experience with features like orbital strikes, which can turn the tide of battle in an instant, provided they're used wisely. These powerful attacks require precise coordination, as the risk of friendly fire is ever-present.
Ship upgrades play a crucial role in your success, so the game offers enhancements that can improve your squad's survivability, firepower, and overall effectiveness on the battlefield. Sometimes, deciding which upgrades to prioritize is hard, but this adds a strategic depth that goes beyond mere shooting.
The strategic gameplay in Helldivers 2 is what sets it apart from other shooter titles. With your entire squad, you must constantly assess your surroundings, communicate, and make split-second decisions that can mean the difference between victory and defeat. This combination of strategic planning and intense action ensures that each mission is not just a test of shooting skills but a cerebral challenge that requires a thoughtful approach to overcome.
Progression and Rewards
Helldivers 2 introduces you to a smart progression system that rewards every step of your journey through the game's universe. As you progress, you'll unlock new gear, levels, and abilities, ensuring that the gameplay experience evolves in a satisfying way. Reaching a certain level often unlocks special equipment or perks, making every mission feel like a step toward greater power and capability.
Everyone in your team shares the rewards equally, and excluding the weapons found, these rewards can be:
XP: Levels you up and unlocks new Stratagems.
Requisition Slips: used to buy new Stratagems.
Samples: found while exploring, used for ship upgrades. Everyone gets these at the end, no matter who picks them up.
Medals: earned by completing missions, used to get items from the Battle Pass.
Super Credits: Rare drops used to buy armor in the Superstore.
On the other hand, the game balances play between free and paid content. The paid battle pass offers additional exclusive rewards like emotes, weapon skins, armor skins, and more, but the game is designed so that players who decide not to purchase it can still enjoy a full and rewarding experience. This approach ensures that the community isn't divided in the same way some other games might, where paid content significantly impacts gameplay.
Enemy Diversity
The battle to defend Super Earth in Helldivers 2 comes with multiple enemies with unique difficulties and characteristics. The diversity enriches the gameplay, ensuring that every mission differs. As you traverse the world, you'll encounter deadly Terminids and heavily armored robots.
The diversity doesn't stop here. It extends to their behaviors and attack patterns as well. Some enemies aim for close combat, forcing you to keep your distance, while others, like the Automaton Tanks, deliver devastating blows from afar, requiring quick movement and strategic cover usage. The rest of the enemy roster is just as varied, with ones that can cloak themselves, fly, or even summon reinforcements, keeping you constantly engaged.
This universe is alive with danger, making teamwork and quick thinking essential for success. I gathered five of the toughest enemies I found when playing Helldivers 2:
Bile Titan: these behemoths are a nightmare to take down with their deadly acid attacks.
Charger: fast and furious, these Terminids overwhelmed my squad with their ugly appearance and high-impact damage.
Tank: the Automaton's top elite Tanks are heavily armored and pack a serious punch.
Hulk: another elite Automaton who is terrifyingly powerful, especially the Scorcher variant.
Nursing/Bile Spewer: both spew lethal acid, making them dangerous at any range.
Difficulty
Helldivers 2 is a game where completing missions feels fantastic but don't expect it to be a walk in the park. With nine levels of difficulty - Trivial, Easy, Medium, Challenging, Hard Extreme, Suicide Mission, Impossible, and Helldiver - this title ensures that players of all skill levels have a place in this challenging world. But it's not just about tougher enemies; you'll be also fighting against time, Nests, Factories, and more. Each setting introduces new threats and mission types, making the game far from boring.
Playing Helldivers 2, especially in co-op, is about strategizing with your teammates, whether you're taking on an easy mission or braving the impossible. The variety in difficulty means that sometimes you'll be fighting to survive, and other times you'll feel like a superhero, mowing down enemies in a Trivial setting.
The game's difficulty ensures that every planet you visit and every fight you engage in feels fresh and challenging, and remember, the higher the setting, the bigger rewards you'll earn. So, whether you're starting out or you're an expert Helldiver, expect to be tested, to adapt, and to have a blast doing it.
Technical Issues
Helldivers 2, while offering an engaging fight against alien bugs and a showcase of cooperative gameplay, hasn't been without its technical hiccups. Players have encountered matchmaking and performance issues that, at times, made the game such a wreck, from server issues that disrupt the seamless joining of forces with fellow Helldivers to other technical difficulties that hinder the smooth execution of missions.
Frequent crashes and bugs - like the one where you can't pick up an item even if the game shows "E" to pick it up - have also been a thorn in players' side, pulling them out of their battle for Super Earth. These issues range from minor glitches that cause momentary confusion to more significant disruptions that can result in the loss of progress in a mission.
However, it's not all doom and gloom. The developers, Arrowhead Game Studios, have been proactive in addressing these problems, releasing regular updates aimed at squashing bugs and smoothing out the overall performance.
While some issues persist, the commitment to improving the game's stability and playability is evident. As these updates continue to enhance the game, you can look forward to more uninterrupted gameplay.
Helldivers 2 - Verdict
Crafted by the talented developer Arrowhead Game Studios, Helldivers 2 is built on the foundation of its predecessor, delivering an even more intense third-person co-op shooter experience. This sequel captures the essence of what made the original game so beloved while introducing new elements that make every mission an incredible time.
The game's diverse environments, challenging enemies, and strategic depth ensure that you're in for an adrenaline-pumping adventure, whether you're playing solo or with friends. The commitment to cooperative gameplay shines through, making those moments of triumph with your squad feel genuinely rewarding. You'll be sadly grateful for the intense battles and close calls, as they only serve to enhance the sense of camaraderie and achievement.
If you want to join the ranks and take up the fight for Super Earth, you can get the Helldivers 2 Steam CD Key at RoyalCDKeys . Dive into its rich, immersive planets and experience the battles, strategy, and action that only Helldivers 2 can offer.
The battle for Super Earth awaits and every new recruit is welcome. Are you ready to join the fight?