Summary
It’s easy to see the transparentStarship Troopersinspiration in every corner ofHelldivers 2, even when it does a good enough job of coming up with its own generic science-fiction terminology. This is a strength ofHelldivers’ because it finds a perfect balance of humor in its writing and presentation while its moment-to-moment gameplay is actually far more tense than one may initially presume based on its slapstick premise of humorous happenstances marrying militarism and civic duty.
There’s a lot to love aboutHelldivers 2and much of that boils down to how simple its formula is, which is a massive boon as a live-service game that isn’t even full price. It’s highly unfortunate that matchmaking, server issues, crashes, and other issues currently plague it, but it’s a testament to how great the game is that it’s still been as successful as it is despite those valid criticisms. Of its more unique features, though, a light deserves to be shone on the d-pad button combinations inHelldivers 2that contribute to how pulse-pounding its missions are.
Helldivers 2 Understands How Important Interactivity is
Helldivers 2forgoes typical hotkey or button-mashing promptsand substitutes them with directional input combinations when it comes to Stratagem abilities or mission-based interactions, and the result is profound. In what only amounts to a few more buttons pressed than usual, these commands are incredibly effective at issuing engagement.
Caring to memorize unique Stratagem combinations will likely be what’s necessary for high-level play, but the frantic nature of novice play is accentuated brilliantly by how hectic it can be to manually input these commands for an orbital strike or resupply drop in the heat of a mission. These commands would fail to elicit the same level of interactivity if they had players simply hold a face button, for instance, as there would be no room for input errors and mistakes.
Meanwhile, input errors regarding d-pad prompts can mean thesuccess or failure of a mission inHelldivers 2and engagement goes a long way in making an otherwise simple shooter formula tremendously comprehensive.
Automatons are a nasty enemy variant to confront inHelldivers 2and can easily overwhelm players. Coupled with needing to land successful input prompts while also diving around and exchanging gunfire,Helldivers 2is ripe with exciting moments with epic meme potential, as many have already shared. Missions are dramatic and suspenseful as is, but where d-pad prompts excel at turning missions into a cinematic spectacle is during extractions.
Here, players must access a terminal with a lengthy d-pad combination, and depending on how chaotic their surroundings are it can be a lot of responsibility on the player’s shoulders to input it correctly. Many ofHelldivers 2’s Terminid missionsare fairly relaxed and straightforward compared to Automaton missions and yet the fear of incorrectly inputting an extraction code can be debilitating, especially if a squad of divers is patiently withholding an enemy horde around them.
Helldivers 2’s Exclusive Mini-Game Celebrates Its Directional Codes
Helldivers 2’s Stratagem Hero mini-gamethen tests and bolsters players’ skill with these codes in rapid succession, though this mini-game aboard the ship only currently seems accessible if players have the Super Citizen edition. Either way, code inputs are significant inHelldivers 2and that subtle degree of interactivity pushes the envelope in ways that are perfect for the naturally ensuing hilarity and mayhem on any mission.
Helldivers 2
WHERE TO PLAY
Do you believe in freedom? Can you stand in the face of oppression – and defend the defenceless? Wage war for peace. Die for democracy.Join forces with up to three friends and wreak havoc on an alien scourge threatening the safety of your home planet, Super Earth, in this multiplayer co-op shooter for PS5 and PC from Arrowhead Game Studios.Step into the boots of the Helldivers, an elite class of soldiers whose mission is to spread peace, liberty and Managed Democracy using the biggest, baddest and most explosive tools in the galaxy.Helldivers don’t go planet side without proper backup, but it’s up to you to decide how and when to call it in. Not only do you have a host of superpowered primary weapons and customizable loadouts, you also have the ability to call on stratagems during play.Helldivers 2 features Arrowhead’s best cooperative gameplay yet. Collaboration will be vital: Teams will synergize on loadouts, strategize their approach for each mission and complete objectives together.1Enlist in Super Earth’s premier military peacekeeping force today. We are heroes… we are legends… WE ARE HELLDIVERS.
