Helldivers 2 is an apocalyptic action spectacle

We’re surrounded. Monstrous alien bugs swarm towards us from all sides. My three comrades and I give it all we’ve got. It’s raining shells and air strikes like there’s no tomorrow. But the flood of aliens cannot be stopped. We only have to hold out for another 20 seconds until the rescue ship frees us from this hell. Mid-diving roll, I fire my last magazine into the devilish grimace of a flying monster. At the same time, I hear the spaceship’s engines braking. But before I can pick myself up again, I see a shadow looming over me. All I can do is pan the camera and watch my character being crushed by the spaceship. In any other game, I’d throw down my mouse in frustration. But it’s all laughs in Helldivers 2. This sums up the game perfectly. Whenever you think you have the situation under control, the roof falls in.

The first Helldivers was released in 2015 on PlayStation and PC, just like part 2 – although it was delayed by a few months at the time. It was the first game that Sony published for PC. Both instalments were developed by Swedish studio Arrowhead. With its bird’s-eye view, Helldivers 1 exuded the vibe of a smaller indie title and was an absolute hit in my flat share at the time thanks to its unusual co-op mode. Little has changed in terms of gameplay. The camera now moves closer to the action. I still jump down onto planets as a heroic Helldiver, shooting my way through hordes of aliens and machines. All in the name of freedom for Super Earth. Hell yeah! Helldivers is just as wonderfully stupid as Paul Verhoeven’s Starship Troopers. The game doesn’t take itself seriously for a second. Characters comment on battles with hysterical screaming or gun impressions worse than mine.

I tested the PC version. Helldiver 2 offers cross-play between PS5 and PC.

Alone or with up to three other Helldivers, I complete missions in large enclosed areas. The tasks are different, but the approach is always the same. Load up and shoot everything that doesn’t look like a Stormtrooper. Sometimes it’s alien eggs, sometimes robot factories, sometimes spaceships. I start every mission full of exuberance and confidence, only to feel like a headless chicken that strayed into a war zone before I know it. Helldivers 2 is basically a classic third-person shooter with a few key differences. On the one hand, Friendly Fire is active, meaning my comrades and I can hurt each other. And believe me, this happens a lot. I can still dodge the volleys from standard firearms reasonably well, their laser sights clearly mark the line of fire. But I can’t say the same about the grenades my overzealous buddy throws over a wall. A wall I’m currently hiding behind.

This leads me to the next special feature – supply drops. I can order tactical equipment by pressing a specific sequence of directional buttons (directional pad on the controller). By throwing a glowing ball, I then determine where it lands. I can also revive fallen Helldivers this way. If I’m nice, I’ll throw the ball somewhere safe. If I’m feeling devious, I’ll throw it right into the middle of an enemy cluster. A real Helldiver lands anywhere.

Offensive tactical equipment, with upgrades unlocked in the course of my career, is more fun than supplying troops. There are machine guns, grenade launchers, turrets and even orbital cannons that carpet entire areas with bombs. When the 500 kg Eagle bomb is dropped, I almost have to put on my sunglasses due to the glaring bright explosion. And as I usually play with strangers and without voice chat in my co-op sessions, it regularly happens that I’m suddenly catapulted through the air because bombs are unexpectedly raining down next to me. Fortunately, it doesn’t take long before the team can send me back into battle.

Even without involuntary nuclear destruction, the sparks fly in Helldivers 2. A targeted grenade blows an entire radar station to smithereens. There, mechanical death squads with their red lasers transform a jungle permeated by fog into a disco. And next to me, a turret streams out death like a flamethrower. Helldivers 2 is an audiovisual sensation. All those guns thunder out of my loudspeakers, while orbital cannons sound so powerful that I want to claw at my mouse and keyboard. Graphically, the game doesn’t have to hide from any triple-A title either. The levels may not be the most varied, but they offer coherent settings to spread death and destruction democracy.

Live service done right

Helldivers 2 is a live service game, just like the recently released Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League. This means that new content such as missions, equipment and cosmetic items will find their way into the game over the coming months and years. But while Suicide Squad costs a hefty 70 francs/euros, offers repetitive missions and can be finished in under 10 hours, Helldivers 2 offers a lot more entertainment for 40 francs/euros. And the live service aspects aren’t pushed on you too hard.

There are four in-game currencies. Medals, Samples and Requisition Slips can only be earned in missions. The last two unlock permanent upgrades, such as more magazines or a reduced cool-down for orbital weapons. Samples can often be collected in side missions, but they drop when you die. Medals are awarded for successful missions, allowing me to unlock Warbonds in the Season Pass. This includes new weapons, banners, skins, etc. There’s also a second category called Premium Warbonds, kind of like a paid Season Pass in other games. It’s activated for a one-off payment of 1,000 Super Credits (around 10 francs/euros). Alternatively, you can buy the more expensive Helldivers 2 Special Edition. Super Credits are the only currency that can also be bought for real money. I can also use it to unlock cosmetic items, such as new cosmetics.

True, I prefer not having to pay more for content in games I’ve already bought. However, Helldivers 2 makes a fair impression so far, and progress doesn’t seem artificially drawn out.

Verdict: Hell Yeah!

In Helldivers 2, every mission escalates into nerve-wracking massive battles that my team and I regularly only survive by the skin of our teeth. The arsenal of weapons is pleasantly extensive and offers plenty of freedom for destruction. And ultimately, the Helldivers are fighting for freedom. For the democracy of Super Earth!

Helldivers 2 is first and foremost a co-op game. Alone, you make life unnecessarily difficult for yourself and miss out on being torn to shreds by your friends’ failed air strikes. Without Friendly Fire, the game would only be half as fun. Nevertheless, tactics are definitely important, but not to the extent that voice chat has to be used. Helldivers aren’t big talkers anyway. And when they have something to say, it’s usually «Bababababammmmmmmm».

I didn’t think that anyone, apart from me and my friends, would remember the first Helldivers. So I’m all the more pleased that we’ve surprisingly been given a successor that really slaps.

Helldivers 2 is available for PC and PS5. The game was provided to me by Sony. I tested the PC version.