Recently, I saw a YouTube video of Helldivers 2 review by a channel called Expert Review Zone saying, “…the gameplay is extremely repetitive and monotonous and tedious, and I would not recommend buying this game…” that racked up 30k views. Honestly, I get where they’re coming from. Repetitive gameplay isn’t everyone’s cup of tea. But here’s the thing: Eight of every ten players who buy this game will find something special within it.
Especially in today’s crowded market (except for Palworld, which was wild!), Helldivers 2 is one of the most fun co-op experiences I’ve had recently. Sure, the gameplay can be unforgiving and, okay, maybe a bit repetitive. But that’s where the true beauty lies: pushing limits with your friends, laughing through friendly fire incidents, and experiencing the exhilarating challenge together.
This review is for those curious Helldivers 2 players waiting for a sale or wanting to know what’s up. Oh, and since PC performance talk was rampant, I’ll focus on that, too.
So, grab your trusty laser cannon, strap in, and jump into the chaotic, hilarious, and surprisingly deep world of Helldivers 2!
Helldivers 2 Review
Building upon its tactical roots in the 2015 predecessor, Helldivers 2, marks an evolution for the franchise. Shifting to a third-person perspective, it draws inspiration from renowned military science fiction like Starship Troopers and Aliens, immersing players in chaotic battles against grotesque extraterrestrial threats.
For completing core objectives, especially in the highest difficulties, Helldivers 2 demands careful squad coordination, dynamic loadout customization, and keen situational awareness to ensure the continued dominance of Super Earth’s unconventional democracy.
Even though the game can be played alone, lone wolf tactics are obsolete in a group. Helldivers 2 emphasizes collaborative squad synergy, requiring players to select specialized gear for their Helldivers, adding unique skill sets and special abilities complementing the skills other players in the group equipped.
Further empowering this system is the innovative stratagem system. These abilities must help complete a mission with various parameters and individual playstyles, fostering a more tactical approach.
Players leverage it to tailor their approach, deploying tactical airstrikes for overwhelming firepower or calling in ammo supplies to stay alive on the battlefield. Adapting to various situations and executing coordinated squad actions are essential, as individual heroics quickly succumb to the overwhelming insectoid threat.
And when faced with hordes of enemies, the gunplay shines. And boy, do they pack a punch! The gunplay in Helldivers 2 is like a symphony of destruction, delivering satisfying feedback with every trigger pull. The best part? Helldivers 2 welcomes rookies with open arms. Even if you’re a rookie soldier joining the fight, the intro tutorials ensure you can dive headfirst into the action without getting overwhelmed.
Unlike traditional shooters, Helldivers 2 emphasizes accomplishing objectives, not accumulating kills. Resources are scarce, forcing players to strategize their approach and manage resources effectively.
Players can employ a stealthy approach, minimizing enemy contact while achieving their mission goals. Or they can unleash a calculated symphony of gunfire and explosives, leaving a path of hundreds of dead bugs in their wake. The choice resides with the players, but the map is their ally. Its dynamic enemy visibility system reveals potential ambushes and patrol patterns, allowing players to plan routes, identify choke points, and leverage the environment. This emphasis on observation, planning, and tactical execution adds depth rarely seen in the genre.
The actual test arrives after completing (hopefully) all objectives. Escape in Helldivers 2 is not a casual stroll. It’s a heart-pounding, time-based scramble for survival. Calling in the dropship triggers a frantic 90-second countdown, transforming the extraction zone into a vortex of enemy fire. Here, squad coordination is the key. Players must work together, providing mutual cover and ensuring everyone boards the dropship before the timer expires. Remember, no soldier gets left behind!
Helldivers 2 has become so wildly successful because it transcends the realm of essential action experiences. It’s a deep, strategic experience that demands collaboration, rapid decision-making, and tactical flexibility. It’s a homage to classic sci-fi action, infused with humor and a healthy dose of self-awareness.
So gather your squad, craft the perfect loadout, and prepare to descend into the mayhem that awaits. Democracy has never been more compelling!
Helldivers 2 Performance (PC vs PS5)
Here’s a comprehensive analysis of Helldivers 2 technical performance and how it runs across different platforms:
PS5 Performance
PS5 has two graphics modes. A visually stunning 4K 30 FPS Quality mode or silky-smooth 60 FPS Performance mode at 1080p, catering to performance and graphical preferences. So, players can prioritize either smoother framerates for precise aiming and responsiveness in combat or better graphical fidelity for a visually better experience.
Helldivers 2 PS5 Performance Mode
- 60 FPS: The game tries to deliver near-instantaneous input response, ensuring tactical actions and fights feel amazing. This helps with the weapon accuracy style used in the game.
- 1080p Resolution: The only downside is 1080p, but if there were an option for 1440p at 60fps, that would be the best way. I would recommend it on PS5.
- The locked 60fps frame rate makes players feel like they have a tactical advantage, helping them to maneuver quickly and use weapons better. For higher difficulties, more framerates are always better than more graphics for maximizing your team’s overall effectiveness.
Helldivers 2 PS5 Quality Mode
- 4K Resolution: Immerses players in meticulously detailed environments, enhancing the tactical atmosphere and sense of scale.
- Engaging Aesthetics: Visual fidelity adds depth and weight to the gameplay experience, creating a more impactful experience.
- Better visuals if you are okay with a locked 30 FPS. Also, only if you feel your gameplay is not potentially getting impacted by reaction times in critical moments.
Framerates remain primarily stable in both modes, ensuring a responsive and immersive experience. Slight drops during screen-packed actions are negligible, considering the drop of 2-3 frames per second. So overall, gaming the game felt good. But if you want the best game experience, choose a high-end PC that can give you that fantastic 4K 60FPS experience.
PC Performance
Here are the official recommended specs from devs by target frames and resolution with different presets:
| PC Specs | Minimum | Recommended | Performance | Ultra |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Performance | 1080P @ 30FPS | 1080P @ 60FPS | 1440P 60FPS | 4K @ 60FPS |
| Graphics Settings | Low | Medium | High | Very High |
| Processor | Intel Core i7-4790K or AMD Ryzen 5 1500X | Intel Core i7-9700K or AMD Ryzen7 3700X | Intel Core i5-12600K or AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D | Intel Core i5-12600K or AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D |
| Graphics | NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti or AMD Radeon RX 470 | NVIDIA GeForce GTX 2060 or AMD Radeon RX 6600 XT | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 or AMD Radeon RX 6800 | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 Ti or AMD Radeon RX 7900 XTX |
| Memory | 8 GB DDR4 RAM | 16 GB DDR4 RAM | 16 GB DDR4 RAM | 16 GB DDR4 RAM |
| OS | Windows 10 64-bit | Windows 10 64-bit | Windows 10 64-bit | Windows 10 64-bit |
| Storage | 100GB HDD (7200 RPM) | 100 GB SSD | 100 GB SSD | 100 GB SSD |
| Additional Notes | Gameplay requires internet access | Gameplay requires internet access | Gameplay requires internet access | Gameplay requires internet access |
Now, let’s get into the most awaited part of this review for gamers. To get optimal values, I am using the FPS values benchmarked by notebookcheck.net due to their robust checking system. These frame rates resemble what you can expect across different GPUs in Helldivers 2:
| Resolution & Presets | 1080p Low | 1080p Medium | 1080p High | 1080p Ultra | 1440p Ultra | 4K Ultra |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 Super |
214 |
202 |
199.1 |
196.7 |
165.8 |
99.4 |
| NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 |
215 |
209 |
204 |
200 |
162.4 |
96.3 |
| AMD Radeon RX 7900 XT |
153.8 |
149.3 |
148.1 |
147.4 |
122.5 |
65.1 |
| NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 (Laptop) |
136.7 |
136.7 |
136.1 |
130.2 |
105.5 |
66.9 |
| NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 (Laptop) |
112.45 |
109.95 |
105.2 |
106.4 |
96.8 |
59.6 |
| NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 (Laptop) |
129.5 |
117.3 |
99.5 |
98.2 |
72.2 |
40 |
| NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 (Laptop) |
117.9 |
92.9 |
84.7 |
82.3 |
54 |
29.6 |
| AMD Radeon RX 7600S |
77.2 |
64.4 |
56 |
54.3 |
36.7 |
18.8 |
| NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050 (Laptop) |
106.5 |
82.2 |
74.4 |
72.1 |
44.5 |
17.8 |
Helldivers 2 is built with the Autodesk Stingray engine. Autodesk announced Stingray’s end of sale and development as a standalone product, effective January 7, 2018. The Stingray engine was re-branded as a 3DS Max plugin 3DS Max Interactive released in June 2017. However, this was discontinued in March 2022. The engine behind the game is still struggling with a few problems, like poor performance on AMD GPUs, and many users have reported crashes.
While the specific technical aspects of Helldivers 2’s engine may not be of primary interest to all players, it’s worth noting that the game utilizes an engine originally called Autodesk Stingray. Although the original standalone version reached its end-of-life in 2018, its technology continued as part of the 3DS Max software until it was stopped in 2022.
However, some players, particularly those using AMD graphics cards, are experiencing performance issues in Helldivers 2. Additionally, occasional crashes have been mentioned. The developers may address these concerns, and future updates should bring improvements. So, for now, the best way to play Helldivers 2 on a PC is on an NVIDIA card. These performance differences can be seen in benchmark tests on YouTube and other benchmark websites. You can check the performance difference on GPUs at notebookcheck.net, which we mentioned above.
Helldiver 2 Verdict
Helldivers 2 isn’t just another bug-blasting shooter; it’s a finely tuned experience that marries intuitive controls with explosive action. Movement feels smooth and natural, letting you navigate chaotic battlefields with ease. Your every move feels like a well-choreographed dance. It is just pure, adrenaline-fueled action.
But the game isn’t just about mechanics; it’s also about style. If you have a soft spot for campy sci-fi classic films, this game will take you to a world of outlandish monsters and tongue-in-cheek humor. The game playfully embraces the genre’s tropes, throwing you into equally hilarious and challenging scenarios. All giant bug battles feel like they are directly from Paul Verhoeven’s film and equally laced with a healthy dose of satire.
So, if you’re looking for a shooter that’s as easy to pick up as it is engaging to play, and if you appreciate a dash of humor with your alien exterminations, then Helldivers 2 might be your perfect match. Prepare to blast bugs, crack jokes, and become the hero (or not-so-heroic hero) Super Earth desperately needs!