The Swedish studio Arrowhead delivers a thrilling experience with Helldivers 2 — but before jumping in, there’s one simple question you need to ask yourself:
Do you enjoy third-person multiplayer shooters?
If your answer is “yes,” prepare for a wild ride across the galaxy, filled with chaos, teamwork, and satisfying action. But Helldivers 2 is more than just a shooter — it’s a clever response to the bloated world of online live service games.
The State of Multiplayer Games Today
Multiplayer games have always had the potential to highlight what makes video games unique: shared adventure, player cooperation, and emergent gameplay. But in the past decade, we’ve seen countless live service titles that focus more on monetization than on fun.
So much so, that when a new trailer drops, players often hope it’s not online-only. There’s a growing fear that “online” equals “soulless cash grab.” But Helldivers 2 challenges this perception — not by talking about it, but by being an authentic, fun, and rewarding game.
A Satirical Wake-Up Call
Arrowhead isn’t shy about poking fun at modern game trends. Helldivers 2 practically screams:
“I know you’re all busy spending $25 on cosmetic skins, but remember — games are supposed to be fun!”
And this message lands because Helldivers 2 delivers that fun in buckets, all while cleverly satirizing the very systems it avoids.
Simple Setup, Endless Depth
At first glance, Helldivers 2 seems basic. You finish a short tutorial, name your ship, and dive into missions across different planets. Each time, you choose a difficulty level and complete objectives — or fail gloriously. Then it’s off to the next mission.
But don’t be fooled by the simplicity. The real magic is in the systems layered underneath, which constantly push you to play more, explore more, and improve.
Progression That Feels Good
The game keeps you hooked by showing clear progress on multiple fronts:
- Earn medals to unlock Warbond gear: new weapons, helmets, armor, boosters, emotes, and more.
- Collect samples to upgrade modules on your ship, giving long-term advantages.
- Spend Super Credits in the rotating Superstore for premium items.
- Use Requisition Slips to unlock Stratagems — game-changing tools like airstrikes, drone turrets, and jump packs.
Each system feeds into the other, creating a satisfying loop of unlocks, rewards, and deeper customization.
No FOMO, Just Freedom
Unlike most live service games, Helldivers 2 respects your time. The Warbond system has no expiration date, so you can unlock gear at your own pace — whether you play an hour a week or 30 hours a month.
The Superstore rotates items every 48 hours, giving hardcore players something fresh, while casual players never feel left behind.
Stratagems: The Heart of Combat
Stratagems are one of the game’s most brilliant features. They let you:
- Call in orbital airstrikes
- Deploy heavy weapons
- Drop supply pods, turrets, or even vehicles
Unlocking and using them adds serious tactical depth. And as you level up and earn XP, more Stratagems become available, rewarding your dedication.
This system encourages planning, teamwork, and experimentation — all while giving you the thrill of summoning destruction with a few button presses.
Skill-Based, Not Pay-to-Win
Even with all these tools, victory still depends on skill. You can have top-tier gear, but if you don’t understand your enemies or environment, you’ll fail.
Choosing the right weapon for the right enemy, adjusting your strategy for different biomes, and learning enemy behavior — these are the keys to survival. That’s what makes each mission challenging and rewarding.
Amazing Planet Variety
Helldivers 2 features procedurally generated missions, but they never feel random or lazy. Why? Because every planet has:
- A distinct atmosphere and time of day
- Unique enemy types and environmental hazards
- Gorgeous scenery that makes each mission visually engaging
This variety ensures the game stays fresh even after dozens of hours.
Nine Difficulty Levels, Real Challenge
The game features nine difficulty levels, unlocking gradually. The harder the mission, the better the rewards: more XP, rarer samples, and exclusive enemies.
Higher difficulties introduce new threats — creatures and robots not seen in earlier levels — pushing players to adapt, communicate, and strategize.
You’ll face the Terminids (giant alien bugs) and the Automatons (military robots), both with their own subspecies, behaviors, and weak points. Studying and exploiting these is essential for survival.
Smarter Enemies, Better Battles
The AI in Helldivers 2 is genuinely impressive:
- Robots use their abilities logically, flank players, and defend well.
- Bugs behave like true wild predators — fast, aggressive, and terrifying.
Even with powerful weapons, poor aim or bad strategy will cost you. You have to learn how to fight smart.
A Solid Foundation for Live Service
Live service games live or die based on post-launch content. And Helldivers 2 is off to a strong start.
- It launched with plenty of content
- It supports crossplay, keeping servers full
- It already has a loyal, growing community
And thanks to its roots in the first Helldivers game, Arrowhead has a blueprint for expanding this universe — new weapons, more missions, new enemy factions, and even vehicles could be on the way.
A Galaxy Worth Fighting For
The game’s galactic campaign adds a cool narrative layer. Players work together to liberate planets, unlock new zones, and shape the fate of the galaxy.
It’s a clever way to tie together gameplay with story, and it gives the community a reason to keep playing and pushing forward.
Smooth Experience, Even in Iran
One personal note: I played Helldivers 2 for several days using ADSL2 home internet, and never had to touch DNS or deal with lag.
The game ran smoothly and without any technical issues — a big deal for players in regions with limited internet infrastructure.
Let’s hope Iranian gamers (and all gamers) get to enjoy smooth, unrestricted access to every game in the future.
Final
Helldivers 2 is a clear example of what can happen when a developer puts fun first. It proves you don’t need to nickel-and-dime players to build a successful game. And it shows that every genre still has room for innovation — even online shooters.
At just $40, it offers more content and less greed than many free-to-play games. It respects your time, rewards your skill, and always gives you a reason to come back.
