Helldivers

79%
Game Brain Score Based on 9,102 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • humor
Helldivers Game Cover
Right in the sweet spot between being fun and challenging, Helldivers is a superb cooperative experience that keeps you coming back for more.
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Helldivers is a top-down shooter game with intense battlefield chaos. Players work together in a co-op setting to complete objectives and defeat enemy forces across procedurally generated levels. With a wide range of customizable weapons, upgrades, and difficultly levels, Helldivers offers a challenging and engaging experience for up to four players.

  • PC
  • Play​station 4
  • Play​station 5
  • Windows
  • Play​Station
  • Play​station 3
  • Play​station Vita
  • Tablet
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

79%
Audience ScoreBased on 9,102 reviews
story135 positive mentions
grinding94 negative mentions
  • story1,651 mentions

    The story aspect of "Helldivers" is largely minimal and serves primarily as a backdrop for the gameplay, which revolves around a community-driven galactic war where players complete procedurally generated missions to conquer enemy factions. While there are humorous elements and satirical commentary reminiscent of "Starship Troopers," the game lacks a traditional narrative or character development, focusing instead on cooperative gameplay and mission objectives. Players can expect repetitive mission types with limited story depth, making it more about the action and teamwork than a compelling storyline.

    • “Helldivers is a cooperative mission-based top-down shooter set in a world that is largely inspired by the Starship Troopers movie.”
    • “The dynamic missions and galactic campaign add layers of replayability, while the polished presentation immerses players in the chaos of battle.”
    • “The game's seamless mix of top-down shooting and strategic decision-making creates thrilling missions that demand teamwork and coordination.”
    • “The game lacks a true story mode, instead being based around procedurally-generated levels with a random assortment of simple objectives, such as capture a point, escort civilians, or destroy a key enemy structure.”
    • “Without any kind of consistent story mode, no means to select missions in already-conquered territory, and a campaign that seems to breeze by without any player action, Helldivers is a game that is almost totally apathetic about you playing it.”
    • “The story is both simple to grasp and yet somehow pseudo-subtle in its criticism.”
  • gameplay995 mentions

    The gameplay of Helldivers is characterized by its intense, cooperative mechanics that emphasize teamwork and strategic planning, often leading to chaotic and humorous moments due to friendly fire. Players engage in a variety of missions with a unique stratagem system that requires inputting directional commands to call in support, adding a layer of complexity to the fast-paced action. While the core gameplay loop is enjoyable and addictive, some players find it repetitive over time, particularly after unlocking most content, and criticize certain mechanics like the shared screen and camera angles that can hinder gameplay.

    • “Helldivers cranks up the intensity with its fast-paced, tactical co-op gameplay.”
    • “The gameplay loop is fun, with a great variety of weapons, stratagems, and enemies that keeps it fresh and engaging.”
    • “The gameplay is surprisingly similar to its sequel, despite being a top-down shooter, and it offers a unique combination of great gameplay, endless replayability, and a sense of relief and achievement when you pull off a split-second save.”
    • “The gameplay is shallow, feels bad, and in general sucks.”
    • “The core gameplay is a mixture of established shooter game mechanics (escort, capture the flag, king of the hill, and assassination) and it gets repetitive quite fast.”
    • “The gameplay gets extremely repetitive after a while.”
  • humor409 mentions

    The humor in "Helldivers" is widely praised for its chaotic and satirical take on cooperative gameplay, reminiscent of "Starship Troopers." Players frequently highlight the hilarity stemming from friendly fire incidents, absurd deaths, and tongue-in-cheek dialogue, which contribute to a fun and engaging multiplayer experience. The game's blend of intense action and comedic moments creates a unique atmosphere that keeps players laughing, especially when playing with friends.

    • “Helldivers is basically Starship Troopers: the game, but with humor.”
    • “The cooperative gameplay is so seamless that you'll find yourself laughing over your friend's flattened character while still coordinating a perfect orbital strike.”
    • “It's a fun, tongue-in-cheek experience where you can always return to play with friends, that is easy to learn but relatively challenging to master, that makes deaths seem like a minor inconvenience (and most of the time, thoroughly funny).”
    • “When playing seriously, and the game decides to land a pod 10 feet away from the beacon right on you, that's not funny at higher levels.”
    • “The jokes in this game feel forced and often fall flat, making it hard to enjoy the humor.”
    • “I expected a lighthearted experience, but the attempts at humor often come off as cringeworthy and out of place.”
  • graphics297 mentions

    The graphics of the game are generally well-received, with many players appreciating the charming art style and vibrant visuals that complement the gameplay. While some noted minor glitches and a lack of advanced graphical options, the overall aesthetic is described as appealing and fitting for a top-down shooter, with a mix of cartoonish and sci-fi elements. Despite being a port from older consoles, the graphics hold up well, providing a polished experience that runs smoothly even on lower-end systems.

    • “Helldivers boasts graphics so stunning that you'll find yourself stopping mid-battle to admire the scenic view before being ruthlessly pummeled by alien bugs.”
    • “The graphics are excellent, and the animations superb, with great attention to detail.”
    • “The graphics hit home with the aesthetic, the game doesn't take itself too seriously with some light-hearted puns.”
    • “The graphics are very foggy and the weapon reticle disappears when not shooting, making it difficult to see where you are shooting.”
    • “- awful graphics: the game isn't that old but there's hardly any options in the graphical settings, and even on max settings it looks like it's running on a potato.”
    • “Despite being a PS4 port, it controls perfectly with mouse and keyboard, but the engine used outputs graphics that look crisp and detailed, with hilariously cheesy (but effective) music.”
  • music125 mentions

    The music in the game is widely praised for its epic and atmospheric quality, effectively enhancing the gameplay experience with heroic and patriotic themes that adapt to different situations and enemy factions. While many players find the soundtrack engaging and fitting for intense battles, some note that it can become repetitive over time. Overall, the combination of strong sound design and a dynamic musical score contributes significantly to the game's immersive and action-packed atmosphere.

    • “The music is fantastic, mixing together a heroic, bombastic motif to really get you sold on the super earth propaganda, as well as tracks that give off a very sci-fi, maybe a little cyberpunk feel, especially when you're on the bridge of your ship choosing which planet to spread managed democracy to next, or if you've just landed in a relatively safe spot to start a mission and you're feeling the very alien atmosphere you just dived into.”
    • “The music, visuals, and attitude are infectious in a darkly sarcastic way.”
    • “There is nothing like standing back to back with your squad awaiting extraction as dramatic music reminiscent of final battles in big budget Hollywood movies plays; again, it is these moments that set Helldivers apart from other top-down action games.”
    • “One point I would put against the game is that the music selection seems limited and gets old quick.”
    • “The music is very over the top and generic Starship Trooper propaganda music.”
    • “Music can get repetitive after the first 5-10 hours.”
  • grinding102 mentions

    The grinding aspect of the game is frequently criticized for becoming tedious and repetitive, especially after reaching higher levels, where players often feel compelled to engage in monotonous missions to unlock upgrades and weapons. While some players find enjoyment in the cooperative grinding experience, many express frustration over the slow progression and lack of variety in objectives, leading to a sense of boredom over time. Overall, the game is seen as heavily reliant on grinding, which can detract from the overall enjoyment, particularly in solo play.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “A bit grindy sometimes.”
    • “A bit grindy.”
    • “Well... after level 20, the game gets noticeably grindy.”
    • “Grinding missions for samples gets old.”
    • “Ultimately, this game is a highly repetitive grind simply for the sake of grinding.”
  • replayability102 mentions

    The game boasts high replayability due to its dynamic missions, procedural generation, and diverse factions, which encourage players to experiment with different strategies and loadouts. While many players find the gameplay endlessly fun and engaging, some note that it can become repetitive over time, especially after unlocking all content. Overall, the combination of cooperative mechanics and varied objectives ensures a robust replay value, making it a worthwhile experience for both solo and multiplayer sessions.

    • “The dynamic missions and galactic campaign add layers of replayability, while the polished presentation immerses players in the chaos of battle.”
    • “The game features 3 factions, each with their unique enemies, weapons, and strategies to master, giving a great replayability value.”
    • “Helldivers is an incredibly fun game with endless replay value.”
    • “But can become grindy after a while and it certainly loses replayability value after all the bosses have been completed.”
    • “Once all call downs are unlocked, replayability plummets quickly.”
    • “I love this game and if you don't have it I'd recommend buying it; the gameplay is insanely fun, I just wish there was more to do. It seems like there's no real endgame once you get enough RP to upgrade your loadouts all the way. It just feels empty at the end; give me something to dive for.”
  • optimization38 mentions

    Overall, the game's optimization is generally praised, with many players reporting smooth performance even on lower-end hardware. While some users experienced minor issues, such as lag or controller compatibility, the majority found the game well-optimized for both local and online co-op play, with solid frame rates and minimal bugs. However, a few players noted that it may not be fully optimized for all setups, particularly with certain configurations leading to performance drops.

    • “A large selection of optimized, powerful weapons for the base arsenal and a massive amount of options for high-powered stratagems means you can absolutely find a loadout that works for you and allows you to be an asset of destruction and a team player all in one.”
    • “The game runs smoothly on an i5-7500, GeForce 1060.”
    • “Performance is astoundingly good and I get well over 100fps in most scenarios; the game isn't the highest end in terms of graphical fidelity, but it should run pretty well on most systems.”
    • “Also, the game is not greatly optimized for 2 players.”
    • “But it won't work using a controller... and it's easy to tell that it's not really optimized for a keyboard.”
    • “I really enjoyed the game with the short amount of time I played it, although the specs said it would run on my rig, it ended up being horribly laggy as though it was unoptimized. I really wanted to give this a better review but unfortunately refunded my purchase because of the horrible frame rate.”
  • atmosphere35 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its captivating blend of sci-fi elements and humor, reminiscent of "Starship Troopers," with a vibrant and immersive soundscape that enhances the overall experience. Players appreciate the detailed graphics and environmental effects, which contribute to a sense of being in an intense, action-packed universe. The combination of engaging gameplay mechanics and a lighthearted yet brutal atmosphere creates a fun and memorable experience, making it a standout title in the genre.

    • “The music is fantastic, mixing together a heroic, bombastic motif to really get you sold on the super earth propaganda, as well as tracks that give off a very sci-fi, maybe a little cyberpunk feel, especially when you're on the bridge of your ship choosing which planet to spread managed democracy to next, or if you've just landed in a relatively safe spot to start a mission and you're feeling the very alien atmosphere you just dived into.”
    • “In-game graphics are triple-A quality, intros and cut-scenes are a tad disappointing, but jumping into your first level, you immediately appreciate the developers' decision of focusing on the in-game graphics. It's a damn nice, heavy atmosphere, with great displacement maps, top visual effects from assets, textures, particles, lighting to the characters' footsteps; every little aspect has been given some love and care.”
    • “The atmosphere of the game really does give off a Starship Troopers vibe.”
    • “A bit of dark humor litters the scene with a parody of social commentary that can be appreciated or dismissed at will, painting the atmosphere well.”
    • “Combat sounds amazing; miniguns, airstrikes, and alien noises help you get lost in the game's atmosphere.”
  • stability34 mentions

    Overall, the game's stability is a mixed bag, with many players reporting frequent bugs, glitches, and crashes that can detract from the experience. While some users find the game enjoyable despite these issues, others express frustration with the unpolished nature and multiplayer matchmaking problems. However, a few players note that the game runs smoothly on certain setups, indicating that performance may vary significantly depending on hardware and conditions.

    • “HD is not a demanding game, detailed where it has to be. Some effects look great and the engine seems to do the job. Many planets have different environments: forest, desert, volcanic, and snow are the main settings. They may change a bit during daytime, dusk, and nighttime. There is not much to add; HD runs smoothly and it's almost bug-free, well optimized.”
    • “Runs great on a 4-year-old computer.”
    • “The gameplay is exciting, tense, challenging, and unlike so many AAA games, fun and bug-free.”
    • “The game is so buggy you literally are killed by the bugs.”
    • “Game constantly glitches out and crashes or disconnects.”
    • “A surprisingly-buggy mess where the latency rollback, physics, interact key, turn speed, enemy design, unlock/progress speed, and just about everything else is only designed as it is so you'll grow frustrated with the unfair design and the developers will 'win' as you get drop-podded on by someone who just joined, only to have them leave, forcing you to earn 0 experience and 0 research points after fighting your way through 4 objectives entirely on your own for an entire hour.”
  • monetization17 mentions

    The monetization model of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players criticizing the presence of microtransactions and DLC that feel essential for high-level play, labeling them as cash grabs. While some argue that the microtransactions are not strictly pay-to-win and are relatively inexpensive, others express frustration that crucial items should have been included in the base game. Overall, the game's fun mechanics are overshadowed by concerns over its monetization practices.

    • “This was remedied in the sequel by having armor contribute to stats and other bonuses, and microtransactions to ensure this is never bundled with weapons... I hope... buying this is optional.”
    • “Microtransactions: not pay-to-win, but there are a few that make some parts of the game much easier.”
    • “Speaking of which, some of the DLC items feel straight-up pay-to-win and like they should be unlockable in the base game for free if they're so crucial to high-level play (looking at you, all-terrain boots and rumbler cannon!). That being said, at least it's really cheap DLC that you can purchase in a bundle, so it's on the very tail end of the scale of scummy microtransactions, at least in my opinion.”
    • “I absolutely hate DLC and microtransactions, and I think it's a shame Arrowhead opted for this model of releasing content.”
    • “Makes it feel like a cash grab.”
  • emotional10 mentions

    Players describe the emotional aspect of the game as a mix of humor and camaraderie, highlighting moments of chaos and unexpected mishaps that lead to both laughter and frustration. The game's ability to create memorable, wholesome experiences through teamwork and shared challenges fosters a strong sense of connection among players, making it a worthwhile investment for those seeking both fun and emotional engagement. Overall, the blend of comedic elements and cooperative gameplay contributes to a unique and enjoyable emotional experience.

    • “We held the line for a while but as the psion plunged Julian into madness... I can still hear his screams in my bunk at night, 'Oh my god, he reversed my controls!' I can still feel his hubris touching my soul to this day as he turned and accidentally (allegedly anyway) shot and killed our brother Kevin.”
    • “It's good wholesome fun, spreading democracy with up to three other suicidal patriots.”
    • “A few very well-made one-liners and a great overall wholesome fitting theme works well for pulling you in and giving the game a great identity that is worth coming back to.”
  • character development2 mentions

    Character development is highlighted by persistent progression through gear and ability unlocks, which encourages continued engagement. However, some users find the overall character development to be basic and repetitive, lacking depth.

    • “Persistent character development in the form of sweet gear and ability unlocks will keep you coming back.”
    • “Repetitive gameplay and very basic character development, not more to say here.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

77% average critic score

Buy Helldivers

Play time

25hMedian play time
42hAverage play time
11hMain story
69hCompletionist
18-44hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 44 analyzed playthroughs

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