Helldivers 2, the follow-up to the cult classic top-down shooter, takes the fight for Super Earth to a glorious third-person perspective. While it retains the core frantic fun and strategic depth of the original, it comes with some new features and a few lingering issues.
Reasons to Drop In:
- Exhilarating, teamwork-focused gameplay: Helldivers 2 shines brightest when played with friends. Coordinating attacks, reviving fallen comrades, and narrowly escaping friendly fire creates hilarious and unforgettable moments.
- Strategic depth with a sprinkle of chaos: The diverse enemy types, environmental hazards, and the ever-present threat of friendly fire from your own support abilities (a core mechanic) keeps you constantly on your toes, demanding quick thinking and tactical improvisation.
- A unique blend of humour and challenge: The game’s satirical tone and over-the-top propaganda adds a layer of charm to the otherwise brutal battles.
- Surprisingly fair monetization: The game offers a robust amount of content without pushing microtransactions.
Reasons to Stay in Orbit:
- Matchmaking woes: While the core gameplay loop is fantastic, the matchmaking system can be finicky, making it difficult to find reliable teammates at times.
- Limited solo play: While technically possible, Helldivers 2 is clearly designed for co-op and loses a significant chunk of its charm when played alone.
- Technical hiccups: The game can suffer from occasional frame rate drops and connection issues, especially during intense firefights.
Critical Reception:
- Metacritic: 82/100 (generally positive)
- PCMag: 8.5/10 (very good)
Platforms: PlayStation 5, Windows PC
Conclusion:
Helldivers 2 is a fantastic co-op experience that builds upon the strengths of its predecessor. The frenetic action, strategic depth, and unique sense of humour make it a blast to play with friends. However, the matchmaking issues and limited solo play experience might deter those looking for a more solitary adventure.
Recommendation:
If you’re looking for a challenging and hilarious co-op shooter that rewards teamwork and quick thinking, Helldivers 2 is definitely worth checking out. However, if you primarily play solo or value a smooth online experience, you might want to wait for further updates or consider other options.