Summary
- Helldivers 2 and The Outer Worlds offer dark humor and political satire in their unique sci-fi settings.
- While Helldivers 2 pokes fun at ultra-authoritarianism, The Outer Worlds tackles unchecked corporate control.
- Both games use satire to criticize societal issues, showcasing how video games can be more than just entertainment.
Helldivers 2 kicked off the year with a massive surprise filled with a lot of great humor and wit. In a far off future, the world of Super Earth stands as the pinnacle of democracy in Helldivers 2, but with a huge catch; people have to die violently for it. A lot. In the race to eradicate the Terminids and Automatons from existence, the titular Helldivers are aptly named, as the various battlefields featured in the game are truly hell itself.
Despite the terror, there is a deliciously morbid sense of humor attached to this ultimate sacrifice, and it could lead one to think of another game with a great sense of humor; The Outer Worlds. In a world where sci-fi RPGs can sometimes feel heavily similar, The Outer Worlds set itself apart by leaning heavily into an absurdist form of satire focused on corporate corruption.
Helldivers 2 and The Outer Worlds Have Similar Approaches to Different Issues
Helldivers 2 and the Absurdity of Ultra Authoritarianism
Helldivers 2 may not focus on corporate corruption, but it does poke fun at the absurdity of fighting for an ultra-militaristic authoritarian government. The whole idea of "managed democracy" is hilarious, and Helldivers 2 does a wonderful job at demonstrating how expendable soldiers can be when a society focuses solely on the prospect of winning. Super Earth can sometimes seem wonderful on the surface, thanks to extensive propaganda, but the actual reality of how many Helldivers die in a fiery blaze or get shredded to pieces by a Terminid illustrates just how costly that can be.
Of course, the threats of Terminids and Automatons are so prevalent that it arguably gives Super Earth no choice but to build a strong military presence. Nevertheless, the goal of becoming a Helldiver has become so deeply ingrained into Super Earth's society that dying in the name of "managed democracy" is something to celebrate instead of being tragic. Combat is the heart of Helldivers 2, and developer Arrowhead Game Studios does a beautiful job at treating the game's satire with a balanced nuance.
When Super Earth citizens turn 16, they are gifted a M2016 Constitution bolt-action rifle as a way to encourage military service.
The Outer Worlds Tackles Unchecked Corporate Control
On the flip side, The Outer Worlds calls out how unfettered capitalism can bring about a horribly oppressive environment. When profits become the main focus of a society, everything else falls to the wayside. Although The Outer Worlds and Helldivers 2 both critique different forms of uncontrolled power, The Outer Worlds goes much harder on being whimsical with its humor.
The Outer Worlds sets itself apart with its approach to humor, and it can be downright goofy, which makes it a special game to experience. From the very beginning of the game, when players accidentally land on and crush the smuggler contact they're supposed to meet, The Outer Worlds makes it incredibly clear what its tone will be going forward. The upcoming sequel to The Outer Worlds looks like it will bring even more humor to the forefront; it's just a question of what Obsidian wants to poke fun at this time.
Both games offer some hilarious criticisms of real world problems while masked under a sci-fi blanket. The Outer Worlds and Helldivers 2 tackle political satire in a really beautiful way that showcases how video games are more than just ways to pass time. While The Outer Worlds shows the bleakness of a future run by corporate greed, Helldivers 2 shows the underlying horrors of civic duty, but both games do it with a cheeky smile.
Helldivers 2
- Released
- February 8, 2024
WHERE TO PLAY
The Galaxy’s Last Line of Offence. Enlist in the Helldivers and join the fight for freedom across a hostile galaxy in a fast, frantic, and ferocious third-person shooter.
URGENT BROADCAST – SUPER EARTH ARMED FORCES
Freedom. Peace. Democracy. Your Super Earth-born rights. The key pillars of our civilization. Of our very existence. But the war rages on. And everything is once again under threat.
Join the greatest military force the galaxy has ever seen and make this a safe and free place to live.
BECOME A LEGEND
You will be assembled into squads of up to four Helldivers and assigned strategic missions. Watch each other’s back – friendly fire is an unfortunate certainty of war, but victory without teamwork is impossible.
LOADOUTS
Rain down freedom from above, sneak through enemy territory, or grit your teeth and charge head-first into the jaws of combat. How you deliver liberty is your choice; you’ll have access to a wide array of explosive firepower, life-saving armor and battle-changing stratagems… the jewel in every Helldiver’s arsenal.
REQUISITION
Super Earth recognises your hard work with valuable Requisition. Use it to access different rewards that benefit you, your squad, your destroyer ship and our overall war effort.
THREATS
Everything on every planet wants you dead. That’s what we’re dealing with. Each enemy has distinct and unpredictable characteristics, tactics, and behavior – but they all fight ferociously and without fear or morality.
THE GALACTIC WAR
Capturing enemy planets, defending against invasions, and completing missions will contribute to our overall effort. This war will be won or lost depending on the actions of everyone involved.
We stand together, or we fall apart.
- 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
- Multiplayer
- Online Co-Op
- Franchise
- Helldivers
- Number of Players
- 1-4 players (online)
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, PC
- Genre(s)
- Third-Person Shooter, Extraction Shooter, Action, Science Fiction
- Metascore
- 83
- Platforms That Support Crossplay
- PC & PS5
