Helldivers 2 still endures after this week’s disaster – here’s why

It’s painful to see the back-to-back unhealthy information in gaming these days, from studio closures to initiatives falling into limbo. I think about myself clutching a well-used copy of Fallout: New Vegas and shouting into the sky that we’ve got to return, as it could actually really feel as if the habits and trajectory of the previous decade have failed us. The AAA business’s transfer to live-service video games has resulted in quite a few storied disasters, and proper now it appears like nearly nothing new sticks round for lengthy. The exception to the rule not too long ago is Helldivers 2, which has deservedly discovered and retained an viewers.

Considered one of my main pet peeves with present gaming is the variety of ‘throw-away’ and ‘taste of the month’ releases – particularly relating to co-op video games. Helldivers 2 was set to be the following FOTM sport for me, however in opposition to all odds – and its justifiable share of controversy – it has someway managed to remain related.

Helldivers 2 launched spectacularly, peaking at over 450k concurrent gamers on Steam alone, which was tempered by server teething points. Not like 2024’s different shock multiplayer hits like Palworld, nevertheless, it’s retained over 1 / 4 of its each day gamers months after launch, which isn’t any small feat given simply what number of new PC video games are vying for our consideration. However how did it handle it?

First off, let’s discuss concerning the worldbuilding. Tremendous Earth’s bravest soldier simulator is dripping with satire, and for many builders that’s the place the joke would cease. Arrowhead Video games has as an alternative leaned into that Starship Troopers aesthetic by posting Main Orders, tongue-in-cheek propaganda, and different in-world updates on its social accounts whereas nonetheless sharing patch notes and different related info. This efficient and inventive blurring of the strains has created a comedic camaraderie and virality round its posts.

Whereas Arrowhead Video games and PlayStation have not too long ago come below fireplace for the now-backtracked determination to power PC gamers to hyperlink their Steam account to the PlayStation Community, I nonetheless respect the developer’s fashion of communication – it’s refreshing. It’s all too frequent to really feel completely disconnected from builders, particularly when issues begin to go mistaken. Arrowhead Video games invitations us to have interaction nearly irrespective of the sentiment; the workforce behind Ultimate Fantasy 14 has fostered the same fashion, leading to a tight-knit neighborhood that has stood the take a look at of time.

Secondly, Helldivers 2’s gameplay loop nurtures new gamers, making a welcoming environment whereas nonetheless permitting for a decently excessive talent ceiling. Like most PvE-focused multiplayer video games, competitiveness isn’t woven into the gameplay, and gamers on the lookout for an pleasing, informal time will really feel proper at house on the decrease difficulties. You don’t have to fret about having the very best gear or lacking that one raid – you possibly can simply click on ‘play’ then dive on in. In contrast, these on the lookout for a difficult expertise that requires adaptive playstyles gained’t be left dissatisfied – the notoriously troublesome automatons have seen to that.

The seamless drop-in, drop-out operate permits gamers to hitch others mid-mission to offer an additional serving to hand; in case you have ever struggled to get a four-person workforce collectively resulting from busy schedules, you’ll instantly perceive why that is such a welcome addition.

However, most significantly, taking pictures bugs and robots is simply nice enjoyable. I don’t really feel like I must troll by way of screeds of convoluted lore or lose sleep studying overly complicated techniques and memorizing builds. As a substitute I can dive proper in and begin finishing goals. Helldivers 2 is the right mix of simple enjoyable and – should you so want – escalating problem, so it’s no surprise individuals are so hooked.

However I can’t ignore the elephant within the room. The account-linking state of affairs rightly drew criticism, and gamers confirmed their disagreement by evaluation bombing the sport on Steam. That stated, the fast and open developer response has been met with quite a lot of positivity from the neighborhood. It’s endured as a result of gamers love its aesthetic, its simplicity, its developer comms. Helldivers 2 has survived the place different video games haven’t as a result of, at its core, it’s too good to surrender on.