HELLDIVERS 2 | Review

Initial release date: February 8, 2024

Platforms: PlayStation 5, Microsoft Windows

Engine: Bitsquid

Developer: Arrowhead Game Studios

Mode: Multiplayer video game

License: proprietary license

Genre: Shooter game

Introduction

The original Helldivers released way back in 2015 for the Playstation 4. I played it. I thought it had a decent premise. You kill giant bugs in a top down online coop setting. I played a few matches and never returned.

Now Helldivers 2 on the other hand immediately piqued my interest due to it’s third person camera perspective. This game while on screen looked chaotic, visceral and flat out fun to me. So I bought Helldivers 2 and spent hours with it’s moment to moment gameplay and some time on the Super Destroyer customizing shit.

So yep, Helldivers 2 ended up some of the most fun gameplay I’ve played in any coop shooter in a long while. Keywords to describe Helldivers 2 is “fun gameplay”. FOR DEMOCRACY!!

Presentation

Helldivers 2 is a online coop multiplayer third person shooter that can be played solo, and or with randoms. No AI bots. We all know launch day GAAS games are when server issues are the most profound and problematic.

The only time I was able to play coop matches during the first 24 hours was by using the SOS Strategem to call in reinforcements. Every Quickmatch game I tried to join was immediately disconnected. Honestly? I expected this outcome.

I played 100% of my time in performance mode and the game looked really really good when you’re on a planet killing bugs. Helldivers 2 takes a hit visually when you are on your Super Destroyer ship. It looked ugly.

As for disconnects during coop I had none. Bugs or glitches were very minor, shit like clipping during drop pod arrivals etc. Technically Helldivers 2 had no real issues except for it’s first day server shenanigans.

Story

You are a Helldiver, a soldier sent to spread democracy across the planetary systems and defend Super Earth from an evil race of giant arachnid and Automatons. Starship Troopers is one of my favorite movies during the 1990’s and Helldivers 2 strongly resembles it’s energy.

Helldivers 2 is obviously sci-fi and takes cues from various sci-fi films such as Starship Troopers. With that said their really isn’t a story here other than you fighting and dying for democracy.

Gameplay

The moment to moment gameplay in Helldivers 2 is some of the most chaotic intense fun I had in a long time. Granted, I haven’t played many GAAS games as of late. But if I did, Helldivers would be it since I stopped playing Destiny 2 a while back.

Helldivers 2 from what I researched actually has a human who watches matches and can manipulate said match in real time. Like say I’m at the extraction waiting for pick up. The overseer can send more or less arachinid soldiers to attack my team.

I couldn’t tell if my matches were manipulated or not but I can say the moment to moment gameplay always kept me on my toes. It was intense whether playing with randos, friends or solo. You buy Helldivers 2 for it’s gameplay period.

You start your quest for democracy by completing tutorials on a Mars’ Helldivers training course where you learn how use Strategems, stims, weapons and more. You can choose planetary systems to visit via the War Table where you customize your loadout pre match inside a drop pod.

Your customized Super Destroyer is your HUB | main base of operations. It’s where you can use the armory, ship malmanagement and acquisitions in Helldivers 2. You can choose planetary systems that feature arachnids or Automatons to battle. Leveling up is required to venture into certain sectors.

I loved the simple yet, challenging chaos of each mission as they all have timers attached the second you land on a planet. You have missions were you have to exterminate hatchling eggs.

Another where I had to destroy Automaton fuel reserves. I used Hellbombs during some missions which were a delight to my senses. Managing stamina in combat is important as well jump proning. No matter the enemy you face in Helldivers 2 they are relentless and you will die over and over especially playing solo.

Strategems are sort of the game changer “special” abilities in Helldivers 2. There are all types of Strategems but one thing remains the same. You have to do a QTE code to drop them onto the planet.

I used the SOS Beacon, Machine Gun, Orbital Gatling Strike and Resupply Strategems the most. As you earn more currency by completing matches you can buy bigger and better Strategems to use in matches. Each Strategem have different cool down timers.

Weapons as well their gunplay felt very good. Weapons’ have different stats with feel and power. Assault rifles, pistols, shotguns, rocket launchers, flame throwers are just a few I used.

Graphics | Visuals

This video game while in performance mode on my Playstation 5 while actually killing things on a planet performed good. Like I said up top when entering my Super Destroyer the game looked fuzzy and low res like as if the game had a visual graphics bug.

Helldivers 2’s art style presentation is suppose to look generic, fun and cool which it pulled off from it’s Helldiver armor design, NPCs, bugs and Automatons. Just think generic sci-fi space marine trope.

Sound | Music

Music and voice acting totally fit the space marine fight for democracy theme Helldivers 2 went for. Dialogue while in matches had me cracking up bringing flashbacks from 80’s and 90’s sci fi movie banter.

Music is straight up cheesy hero theme sci fi space marine “go die over and over to save the galaxy” stuff. The music and sound design were fun to listen to if nothing else. No real complaints with the music or sound design.

Final Thoughts | Score

I enjoyed Helldivers 2 more than it’s predecessor due to the change in it’s camera perspective. The moment to moment gameplay in Helldivers 2 is exciting, challenging, chaotic with some of the best moment to moment gameplay I played in a GAAS title since Destiny 1.

If you own a Playstation 5 and game with friends Helldivers 2 might be the game for your crew. If this game is supported over the next few years we all win. Thank you for visiting JVGS people. Later – Jason

8/10