Learning about democracy has never been as captivating as diving into a video game. While it may not be the central focus of HellDivers 2, the game boasts a vibrant world filled with diverse biomes and offers a gameplay experience that, despite its repetition, is undeniably enjoyable. Who hasn’t envisioned themselves decimating countless swarms of bugs alongside their comrades? This title flawlessly encapsulates the feeling of embodying a genuine “badass” reminiscent of characters from action movies, complete with extensive customizations, varied weapon choices, and upgrades that extend to the environment of your personal spacecraft.
The central premise revolves around the escalating necessity to eradicate Terminids, a faction of insects spanning various planets in the Galaxy. Drawing parallels to the movie Starship Troopers and its subsequent video game adaptation, I must admit that HellDivers 2 offers a superior portrayal of this universe than its own video game. Players assume the role of a Helldiver, a soldier hailing from Super Earth, engaged in combat against enemy forces. Each mission presents a unique objective, branching into one of four main categories: “Defend Freedom Missions,” “Bug Extermination Missions,” “Protect Liberty Missions,” and “Destroy Automatons Operation Missions.” These missions incorporate sub-objectives to diversify players’ strategies while adhering to the overarching main goal.
Regarding the missions, players have the opportunity to complete secondary objectives alongside the main mission. This adds depth to the gameplay, encouraging exploration of the map to uncover resources and hidden experiences. It’s important to note that unlocking new abilities requires not only gaining experience points upon mission completion but also collecting scattered science points of varying rarity across the map. Upon successfully completing missions listed in the initial menu, players are rewarded with medals, which serve as currency for acquiring new armor, weapons, and cosmetic items such as emotes and capes. Yes, capes are a notable feature in this game. Additionally, there’s a real-money store available, although it never devolves into a “pay-to-win” scenario, as developers ensure a fair experience. This is further reinforced by the game’s exclusive focus on player versus environment (PVE) gameplay, with no plans, as stated by the producers, for player versus player (PVP) modes.
Drawing comparisons between the original title and this new adaptation is challenging for me, as I haven’t experienced the first installment. Nevertheless, it’s undeniable that there are notable improvements in the graphics. Exploring the map is captivating, whether navigating through barren, insect-infested zones or verdant forests under the cloak of night, offering a truly apocalyptic perspective. The shift from a top-down to a third-person perspective is a bold change, resulting in immensely satisfying movements. Initially, the character’s movements may feel weighty, but this adds to its charm. The character adeptly responds to the terrain; traversing sandy areas limits movement, while icy surfaces induce slippery maneuvers. It’s intriguing to observe how these subtle nuances can impact survival during missions.
The allure of Helldivers 2 stems from the exhilaration of exploring every corner of the map and engaging in combat with dynamic adversaries, all while immersing oneself in a fantasy of growing power. However, the reality is not as straightforward as it may appear, as even minor enemy encounters can deplete your life bar. Friendly fire adds another layer of complexity to the adventure, necessitating both practice and strategic use of grenades or powerful spaceship attacks. One particularly intriguing aspect is the meticulous attention to detail in special abilities. While one could simply press a button to unleash an airstrike, Helldivers 2 takes it a step further by requiring specific key combinations, akin to combos in fighting games. Picture yourself executing these maneuvers while evading a massive wave of enemies – it’s truly exhilarating! Nevertheless, mastering these abilities takes time, especially considering the array of 47 “Stratagems,” and I don’t feel like you receive as many science points per mission as one would expect, especially the rarer ones, of course.
Initially, it might come across as repetitive, but it has been one of the most satisfying experiences I’ve encountered this year. The depth of strategic decision-making within the team intensifies with the difficulty level chosen. At higher difficulties, the gameplay undergoes a significant transformation, introducing new adversaries and formidable mini-bosses that defy their diminutive name.
There is a sense of community even outside the missions, with the liberation system. Each successfully completed mission contributes to a percentage towards liberating the planet from enemy control. Following liberation, new planets cycle through ading a variety of different biomes. Moreover, even while aboard the ship between missions, players can observe airstrikes requested by fellow players or witness pods descending to the planet’s surface through the windows. These delightful details truly immerse the player in the experience.
HellDivers 2 provides an incredibly enjoyable experience, blending strategy and shooting mechanics within an epic and frequently cinematic setting sure to captivate the most adventurous players. Even amidst the clumsiest of friends, I’m confident it will bring a smile during the most whimsical moments.
