For the uninitiated, Helldivers 2 is a squad-based shooter, where you and up to three team-mates drop onto a planet to achieve your mission objectives before being airlifted to safety. These objectives range from 'take this thing here', 'blow this thing up' or 'defend this bit of ground while a thing happens', through to 'kill as many enemies as you can while staying as alive as you can'. It's safe to say that it's not a story-heavy game.
However, there is some framing. You are a Helldiver, one the elite soldiers of Super Earth, sent to battle its enemies while championing liberty, spreading Managed Democracy and staying true to the cause. Of course, it's all camouflage over the fact that you fight for a totalitarian dictatorship, with the satire very reminiscent of Starship Troopers.
From a gameplay perspective, it's reminiscent of Gears of War in that it's a third-person game, although without cover mechanics. Weaponry is your standard mix of primary and secondary, with assault rifles, shotguns, SMGs and pistols in attendance; grenades of various flavours are all present and correct too. You start out with a bog standard AR, pistol and frag grenade, while the others are unlocked as you progress.
And if this was all there was to it, well, it would make for a good game, not a great one. But, reader, there's more. Each Helldiver gets their own spaceship from which to drop onto the planet. And these spaceships aren't just for show. To misquote The Matrix, they have guns. Lots of guns. Hidden behind a menu accessed via the LB button is a veritable cornucopia of war crime options. Explosive barrages from orbit. Napalm, either from all the way up there or from an Eagle fighter jet. Airdrops of special weaponry, like machine guns, laser-firing drones, or exoskeleton walkers with heavy weaponry. There are literally dozens to choose from, and they're all very, very fun.
From a gameplay perspective, it's reminiscent of Gears of War in that it's a third-person game, although without cover mechanics. Weaponry is your standard mix of primary and secondary, with assault rifles, shotguns, SMGs and pistols in attendance; grenades of various flavours are all present and correct too. You start out with a bog standard AR, pistol and frag grenade, while the others are unlocked as you progress.
And if this was all there was to it, well, it would make for a good game, not a great one. But, reader, there's more. Each Helldiver gets their own spaceship from which to drop onto the planet. And these spaceships aren't just for show. To misquote The Matrix, they have guns. Lots of guns. Hidden behind a menu accessed via the LB button is a veritable cornucopia of war crime options. Explosive barrages from orbit. Napalm, either from all the way up there or from an Eagle fighter jet. Airdrops of special weaponry, like machine guns, laser-firing drones, or exoskeleton walkers with heavy weaponry. There are literally dozens to choose from, and they're all very, very fun.
There's something extremely satisfying about seeing a War of the Worlds-style tripod moving towards you, and calling in a giant space laser to blow it to bits. Or coming across a couple of alien spaceships in the middle of a city, and requesting a gigantic bomb from your Eagle to reduce them, and the surrounding buildings, to rubble. Top tip - don't stand too close. Friendly fire is definitely a thing in this game.
The bigger picture of your achievements is told through new missions from Super Earth every couple of days. Typically you'll need to 'liberate' one of a series of planets held by one of the three enemy civilisations: Tyranid insects (there's the Starship Troopers link again), the Terminator-style Automatons, and the mostly-humanoid Illuminate.
The bigger picture of your achievements is told through new missions from Super Earth every couple of days. Typically you'll need to 'liberate' one of a series of planets held by one of the three enemy civilisations: Tyranid insects (there's the Starship Troopers link again), the Terminator-style Automatons, and the mostly-humanoid Illuminate.
Successful liberation typically rewards you with in-game currency of several different kinds, used to unlock cosmetics, ship upgrades and Stratagems (the war crime stuff). Of course, as is standard these days, there are microtransactions to enable you to unlock certain things. However, this is mostly cosmetic - most of the fun stuff isn't paywalled and just requires you to get stuck into the game.
And the game is just fun to play. I've already talked about the mechanics, but the whole satire side of things moves it along breezily. The loading screen tips are very funny and in keeping with the atmosphere (e.g. Remember to take regular breaks - that is, if you want to be remembered as a coward).
And the game is just fun to play. I've already talked about the mechanics, but the whole satire side of things moves it along breezily. The loading screen tips are very funny and in keeping with the atmosphere (e.g. Remember to take regular breaks - that is, if you want to be remembered as a coward).
Your soldier's voice lines are typical "GET SOME" gung-ho Marine fare, but once you're dead (which will happen a lot), that's it for that soldier and the mantle passes to the next Helldiver off your ship's production line. Run out of reinforcements, or let the mission clock run down, and you're stuck with whoever is left on the ground. Finish the mission and you get a star rating, based on the number of primary and secondary objectives you complete.
The full complement gets you 'Outstanding Patriotism', but a one-star finish becomes 'Disappointing Service'. Fail the mission entirely and you're branded with 'Disgraceful Conduct', any of which the ship's Democracy Officer is quick to tell you about. And the harder the mission level, the greater the rewards and the more need you have for squad mates, who you can pick up from the quick play mode, which drops you into an active mission, or by dropping an SOS beacon to attract itinerant Helldivers to your side.
Most mission types last for 40 minutes, which should be sufficient time for you to tick off all primary and secondary objectives, but the 12-minute timer for Blitz missions will really push you and requires judicious use of Stratagems to make it through.
SUMMARY
Overall then, this really is one of the best games I've played this year. It's twitchy but easy to pick up, with depth that you wouldn't necessarily expect from a shooter, and it's an easy recommend from me.
SUMMARY
Overall then, this really is one of the best games I've played this year. It's twitchy but easy to pick up, with depth that you wouldn't necessarily expect from a shooter, and it's an easy recommend from me.
Happily, if you're of the PC persuasion, it's also playable on Steam Deck for those who prefer hand-held extermination.
Who would think that spreading democracy would be such fun?
9/10
🧊🆒ICE COOL🧊🆒
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