Helldivers 2 drops players into a frantic co-op bug hunt across hostile alien planets. With frenetic run-and-gun gameplay and a tongue-in-cheek story, Arrowhead’s latest entry aims to hook friends for hours of chaotic fun.
Introduction
Helldivers 2 is the highly anticipated sequel to the popular top-down shooter Helldivers, developed by Arrowhead Game Studios and published by PlayStation. The original Helldivers, released in 2015, gained a cult following for its challenging cooperative gameplay and tongue-in-cheek satire of war propaganda films.
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As a third-person shooter, Helldivers 2 builds differently upon the core mechanics and gameplay loop that made the original so addicting. Players take control of an elite “Helldiver” soldier and team up with friends to complete missions on procedurally generated planets occupied by alien enemies. The goal is to spread “democracy” throughout the galaxy, one planet at a time.
Gameplay
Helldivers 2 builds upon the solid foundations of the original with refined gameplay mechanics that improve the overall experience. The top-down shooter gameplay familiar from the first game, is now gone but the controls remain intuitive and responsive, allowing for precise aiming and movement. Players can run, roll, and take cover behind objects to avoid enemy fire.
The progression system has been expanded, with new stratagems, abilities, and weapons to unlock. Loadouts can be customized to suit different playstyles, whether you prefer up-close melee combat or hanging back with long-range sniper rifles. Teamwork is encouraged through synergistic stratagems like smoke screens and artillery strikes. Solo players can utilize AI teammates, although coordination is limited.
Overall, the core gameplay loop of completing objectives, calling in support, and fending off alien hordes is as addictive as ever. The controls are tight, the progression meaningful, and the combat viscerally satisfying. Fans of the original will feel right at home with the refined gameplay.
Story and Characters
Helldivers 2 features an engaging narrative that builds upon the universe established in the first game. You take on the role of a ‘Helldiver’, an elite unit sent to eradicate alien threats and spread managed democracy throughout the galaxy. The story is told through mission briefings and radio chatter during gameplay, allowing you to slowly piece together an overarching plot as you complete objectives.
The voice-acted mission briefings are excellently written, providing just enough context and humor to keep you invested. The absurd premises like fighting alien illuminati or spreading democracy to sentient AI creates an entertaining B-movie sci-fi vibe. While the story is not the main focus, it provides a compelling backdrop for the gameplay.
The dialogue between your character and NPCs during missions further brings the story to life. Their comedic banter and one-liners give each mission personality beyond just completing objectives. You get a feel for each character’s distinct personality through their wisecracks and reactions to the chaos unfolding around them. The NPCs are not deeply developed but fulfill their purpose of adding flavor to the game.
Overall, Helldivers 2 succeeds in crafting a tongue-in-cheek sci-fi narrative that complements the gameplay, with endearing characters that deliver memorable dialog. The story hits the right notes without getting in the way of the action or feeling unnecessary. Fans of the first game will enjoy returning to this eccentric and captivating universe.
Graphics and Visuals
Helldivers 2 features a stunning sci-fi aesthetic with highly detailed environments and smooth animations. The art style leans more towards realism compared to the original Helldivers, creating a grittier and more immersive atmosphere.
The environments are a real standout, with richly detailed alien planets and structures. You can see the care put into aspects like the strange foliage on overgrown wilderness planets or the imposing architecture of the enemy citadels. Despite the variety, the art direction maintains a cohesive and consistent sci-fi tone.
The visual effects like explosions, gunfire, and abilities all have a major impact as well. You really feel the power of your weapons and abilities thanks to the vivid effects. Even smaller details like the alien blood splatters help sell the combat.
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On the animation side, everything feels very fluid and natural whether you’re running, jumping, shooting or taking cover. The aliens also have diverse and elaborate animations that give them personality. Overall, the graphics do an excellent job of bringing the Helldivers universe to life.
Sound Design and Music
The sound design and music in Helldivers 2 helps to immerse players in the gaming experience. The sound effects like gunfire, explosions, alien noises, and ship engines are crisp and realistic. You really feel like you’re on the frontlines of an epic intergalactic war.
The musical score sets the tone with fast-paced, adrenaline-pumping tracks during action sequences. But it also has some more emotional, somber pieces during story sections. The soundtrack complements the gameplay and storyline perfectly.
Ambient background sounds also add to the atmosphere. You’ll hear alien creatures screeching, machinery humming, and wind whistling eerily through the landscapes. The attention to audio detail is impressive and makes the environments feel alive.
Overall, the audio plays a huge role in pulling you into the world of Helldivers 2. It’s hard to imagine the game having the same impact without the excellent sound design and soundtrack elevating the experience. The sounds of war and alien planets will stick with you long after you put down the controller.
Innovation and Uniqueness
Helldivers 2 brings some exciting new features to the genre that help set it apart from other third-person shooters. One of the most notable innovations is the ability to call in orbital strikes. After gathering enough resources from completing objectives, you can unleash a devastating orbital bombardment that damages all enemies caught in the blast radius. This adds an extra layer of strategy as you decide when to utilize your limited strikes for maximum impact.
Another differentiator is the procedurally generated levels. While the objectives stay the same, the layout of each level is randomized each time you play. This keeps the experience feeling fresh as you can never fully predict what challenges each new map will present. It also enhances replayability since no two playthroughs will be exactly the same.
The game also separates itself with the ability to fully customize your character’s loadout. You can fine-tune your playstyle by equipping different primary/secondary weapons, perks, stratagems, and more. This level of customization allows you to tailor your build to excel in certain scenarios like boss battles or stealth missions. Finding creative synergies between your gear loadout and squad composition is part of the fun.
Overall, Helldivers 2 succeeds at bringing innovation to the genre. The orbital strikes, procedural levels, and deep customization help provide a unique and dynamic experience compared to its competitors.
Final Verdict
After exploring all aspects of Helldivers 2 in this review, I can confidently say that it is an exhilarating and addictive shooter that improves upon its predecessor in almost every way.
The refined gameplay mechanics, expanded arsenal of weapons and stratagems, and new enemy types make combat an absolute blast. The procedurally generated levels keep the action feeling fresh even after hours of play. And the mission structure and progression system provide a great sense of purpose and reward.
While the story is barebones and primarily serves to set up the nonstop action, the expanded multiplayer options add tremendous replay value. Being able to strategize and coordinate with friends against the bug onslaught is a total rush.
The visuals are sharp and detailed, with destructible environments that really sell the intensity of battle. And the audio design heightens the experience even further with booming explosions and alien shrieks.