Summary

  • Helldivers 2 saw a strong launch in 2024 but faced backlash over controversial updates.
  • Arrowhead is addressing player complaints by reworking weapons, enemies, and armor in upcoming updates.
  • Changes on the way include making weapons more effective, enemies less formidable, and gameplay more balanced.

Helldivers 2 developer Arrowhead has publicly acknowledged the game's shaky reception following recent updates, with the team announcing several changes are on the way. While Helldivers 2 rocketed to success at the start of the year, the game has noticeably stumbled in recent months, with players making their voices heard in big ways. Now, the Helldivers 2 team is attempting to quell concerns, outlining a plan for changes they call "significant."

Helldivers 2 enjoyed an incredible launch at the start of 2024, receiving rave reviews due to its gameplay, graphics, and satirical approach to the shooter genre. Helldivers 2 quickly rose to the top of the ranks of both Steam and PlayStation storefronts, with the game shaping up to be a big win for publisher Sony. However, trouble would strike this past summer, with Helldivers 2 announcing an incredibly controversial update that would require players to register with the PlayStation Network. This update was eventually rolled back, but Helldivers 2 suffered tremendously for it regardless, facing review bombings on Steam. Months later, Helldivers 2's reception is still somewhat negative, though the team at Arrowhead hopes to address complaints in an upcoming update.

Helldivers 2 player carrying automaton head new side objective escalation of freedom trailer screenshot
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In response to Helldivers 2's "mostly negative" recent user rating on Steam, Arrowhead has shared an update that lays out several major changes coming to the game over the next 60 days. “We see the Steam reviews and we hear you loud and clear,” the studio said in the new update. Arrowhead stated its main priority is “to ensure that each weapon and stratagem feels powerful, responsive, and fun to use, while also fitting into the broader gameplay ecosystem.” A common complaint in Helldivers 2 revolves around the game's weapons, with many items being nerfed in recent updates. The prevalence of nerfs has prompted some to feel the fun has been taken out of Helldivers 2, which, at its core, is a team-based PvE experience filled with powerful, over-the-top artillery.

Helldivers 2 Developer Issues Statement

  • We are reworking Armor Penetration, Anti-Tank weapons and enemy armor and health values. As a key part of the rework we have done an initial balancing pass on over 30 weapons and stratagems.
  • We are overhauling a number of different enemies to make them feel more rewarding to kill when you use the proper tools to handle them but ensure they still feel formidable. Enemy bots, including Hulks, will have lower armor, and the number of rockets fired by enemies like the Devastator and Gunship will be limited, making combat more balanced. The armor values of particularly tough bug enemies like the Charger, Impaler, and Bile Titan will also be reduced.
  • Weapons such as the Autocannon, Heavy Machine Gun, and Anti-Material Rifle will be more effective, providing greater loadout versatility. We are also working towards additional improvements for the flamethrower weapons.
  • We’re taking this opportunity to consider new player fantasies and design goals for these weapons and stratagems based on the feedback we’ve received and the trends we’re observing during gameplay.

Some of the upcoming changes to Helldivers 2 include tweaks to Armor Penetration and Anti-Tank weapons. The team is also taking another look at enemy and armor health values. While there are many difficulty levels in Helldivers 2, nerfs have caused the game to feel more challenging even on easier settings. Other upcoming changes include overhauling enemies to make them feel more rewarding to kill.

Automatons will have lower armor in future updates, with the number of rockets launched by enemies like the Devastator and Gunship being decreased. Arrowhead specifically talks about Helldivers 2's list of Stratagems, pledging to engineer the powerful items in fun, creative ways. The team also notes that it values player feedback, announcing it wants to make weapons and items more fun to use in future Helldivers 2 updates.

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9 /10

Helldivers 2
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Third-Person Shooter
Extraction Shooter
Action
Science Fiction
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Systems
PlayStation-1 Xbox-1 PC-1
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Top Critic Avg: 83 /100 Critics Rec: 91%
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Released
February 8, 2024
ESRB
Mature 17+ / Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, In-Game Purchases, Users Interact
Developer(s)
Arrowhead Game Studios, Nixxes
Publisher(s)
Sony Interactive Entertainment, PlayStation Publishing
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WHERE TO PLAY

DIGITAL
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Engine
bitsquid
Multiplayer
Online Co-Op
Cross-Platform Play
All platforms
Franchise
Helldivers
Number of Players
1-4 players (online)
Genre(s)
Third-Person Shooter, Extraction Shooter, Action, Science Fiction