HELLDIVERS 2

Helldivers 2 drops players into the boots of elite soldiers battling to save the galaxy from invading aliens. Like its predecessor, the game delivers intense co-op shooting action as teams of up to four players complete missions, unlock upgrades, and push back the extraterrestrial threat. Familiar, but welcome upgrades to visuals, gameplay variety, and customization options make this a worthy sequel fans and newcomers alike should enlist for.

In Helldivers 2, you join the ranks of the Super Earth Armed Forces to battle enemies across a war-torn galaxy. Missions range from defending key objectives to capturing enemy-controlled territories.

Leveling up unlocks weapons like machine guns, pistols, and flamethrowers that you can equip to fit your playstyle. You also gain access to vital tools called stratagems—portable turrets, airstrikes, and more that assist you on missions.

The key draw remains the game’s focus on co-op. Fighting aliens with friends is chaotic fun, especially when trying not to blow each other up amidst the explosive mayhem.

Upgraded Arsenal

Helldivers 2 expands on the robust arsenal that gave the first game such variety. There are multiple primary and secondary guns to unlock, each with tradeoffs between ammo capacity, range, fire rate, and more.

New stratagems provide clever utility like automated healing stations and mini-drones that fly ahead to mark targets. Loadouts now better complement squad composition too. For example, equipping smokescreen grenades lets assault players charge forward under cover.

The expanded toolset creates even more combat flexibility and chances for emergent moments. Calling in an orbital strike and then hiding behind a deployed shield wall as buildings crumble around you captures the desperate, anything-goes feeling the series nails so well.

Beautiful Bloodbath

Visually, everything has been punched up in Helldivers 2. Cleaner models, richer environments, better lighting and effects make for the best-looking intergalactic battlegrounds yet. Of course, with more detailed aliens come more detailed gibs. Combat is still gorey, chaotic fun where the ground ends up drenched in brightly-colored alien blood amid blown-off limbs.

To be honest, the main appeal of the game, to me, was that it looked like a grittier version of Earth Defense Force. To the more "veteran" players out there, Helldivers 2 is the closest you'll find to a modern version of Armorines.

The presentation better captures the game’s over-the-top gritty comic tone too. Story moments in missions now play out through stylish graphic novel panels introducing each new enemy type and mission-critical event. It’s a slick solution delivering backstory without interrupting gameplay.

Custom Conquest

Helldivers 2 also introduces a deeper meta-strategic layer to the galactic conquest. Before each mission, you now plan out routes on a star map, choosing to tackle optional side missions or pursue critical objectives. It’s a clever expansion that allows players to better dictate the pacing and difficulty of each play session.

The requisitions system also receives a welcome upgrade. There are now armories aboard the main ship housing new recruits and veterans alike. This lets squad leaders better delegate which stratagems and weapons to unlock for each squad member depending on their individual preferences and role.

Allowing this deeper squad customization keeps the co-op feeling fresh and personalized.

Pros

• Great variety of weapons and abilities
• Visually upgraded environments and combat
• Deeper meta-strategy through the revamped star map

Cons

• Steep learning curve for new players