"Helldivers 2" Dropped Me Into An Amazing Live-Service Game
I genuinely think this could become Game of the Year.
I was drafted late into this ongoing galactic conflict but being thrown into the fight later gave me a unique lens to review this live-service game to see how it is post-launch. I’m glad to say its alive and well, and a live-service game done right.
The main focus of Helldivers 2 is fairly straightforward as you help defend Super Earth as Helldivers in up to 4-player co-op. Your time serving the values we hold dear such as freedom, democracy, and liberty primarily consists of you being dispatched all across the galaxy to stop the rampant Terminid bugs and socialist Automaton robots.
While that is the story presented to us, some have taken to claiming that Super Earth is at fault for the constantly expanding Terminid presence and the Automaton’s hostility. Terminds are harvested for E-710 (Oil) and were supposedly mutated as a result whereas Automatons simply wanted to live a life separate from that of Super Earth. In addition to this, rumors of Illuminate sightings and their incoming attack have also been spread around. However, the Ministry of Truth has repeatedly debunked these rumors and any who wish to spread these false ideas are considered traitors to Super Earth.
In order to achieve a free and safe galaxy, Helldivers have multiple weapons, stratagems, and armor at their disposal. Some pieces of gear are better than others depending on the faction you are fighting. For example, flamethrowers work best against bugs to burn their measly organics while heavy artillery such as the autocannon are effective against the automatons because the only way to beat the opposition is to throw a cup of liber-tea at it.
Helldivers 2 also features a perfect live-service model as every piece of gear and cosmetic item can be unlocked purely by playing the game. Sure, the Superstore uses a premium currency that costs real money, but most missions contain the premium currency on the different planets you help liberate to add more incentive to playing the game. The same can be said for medals as they are used to unlock gear in premium warbonds which function the same as battle passes. Samples are another useful item to collect on planets as they help upgrade your stratagems to unleash maximum democracy on your foes.
Speaking of planets, all the planets you can visit are unique in their own way. They all share similar mission types, but their varying hazards make each one stand out from another. Some planets feature intense weather such as fire tornados while others are more cosmic like the meteor storms.
The best part of Helldivers 2 is its undoubtedly its community. Multiple major orders have sparked massive community interest and roleplaying such as the fall and reclamation of the formerly Automaton controlled planet of Malevelon Creek which was considered “space Vietnam” by many in the community with its dense jungles and hard to spot enemies.
From my service so far, I’ve also met multiple interesting soldiers ranging from expert tacticians from Denmark to brave completionists from here in the United States. While all of us are from different walks of life, we are all united under the same managed democracy of Super Earth.
While Helldivers 2 does a lot right, it isn’t without flaws. At times enemies and objectives get buggy (no pun intended) and don’t always work properly or glitch out to the point where Hellbomb stratagems clipping through the ground can throw your operations entirely. This unfortunately can result in the failed defense or liberation campaigns of planets and even entire major orders.
The live-service and community of Helldivers 2 have caused me to dive into enemy territory time and time again to help aid the ongoing war effort. I’m always invested in the major orders to see how our progress in the war is going and I am proud to say I’m doing my part (Starship Troopers anyone?).
Helldivers 2 — ★ ★ ★ ★ ½
Release Date: February 8, 2024
Developer: Arrowhead Game Studios
Publisher: Sony Interactive Entertainment
Systems: PlayStation 5, PC
Rating: ESRB Mature 17+