HELLDIVERS Review: A Top-Down Shooter with a Twist

Summary: HELLDIVERS is a top-down shooter that sets itself apart with its focus on cooperation, challenging gameplay, and unique faction system. Developed by Arrowhead Game Studios and published by Sony Computer Entertainment, it released in 2015 and has since gained a loyal following. This review delves into the game’s strengths and weaknesses, providing an in-depth analysis of its gameplay, graphics, story, and multiplayer.

Gameplay:

HELLDIVERS puts players in the role of elite soldiers tasked with completing missions on procedurally generated planets. The game’s core gameplay revolves around three primary objectives:

1. Eliminate Enemies: Players must battle hordes of alien invaders known as the Bug Horde.
2. Capture Objectives: Missions often require capturing and holding specific points on the map.
3. Evacuate Civilians: Players must rescue civilians from hostile territory and escort them to designated extraction zones.

The game’s difficulty is relentless, as players face overwhelming odds. Teamwork and coordination are crucial, with each player taking on specialized roles within the squad. The game features a variety of classes, each with unique abilities and weapons.

Graphics:

HELLDIVERS utilizes a stylized top-down perspective, with vibrant colors and detailed environments. The game’s art style captures the chaotic and intense nature of the battlefield, with explosions and alien hordes filling the screen. However, the game’s graphics are not its main selling point and may not appeal to those seeking realistic visuals.

Story:

HELLDIVERS has a minimal storyline that serves as the backdrop for the gameplay. Players participate in a futuristic war against the Bug Horde, but the game does not delve deeply into plot or character development. The focus remains on the intense action and cooperative gameplay.

Multiplayer:

HELLDIVERS shines brightest in its multiplayer mode. The game supports up to four players cooperatively, either locally or online. Coordination and teamwork are essential, as players must work together to overcome the immense challenges the game throws at them. The game’s multiplayer mode has received critical acclaim for its challenging and rewarding gameplay.

Pros:

• Engaging and challenging gameplay: HELLDIVERS offers a unique and addictive blend of action and strategy.
• Strong cooperative multiplayer: The game’s multiplayer mode is highly praised for its emphasis on teamwork and coordination.
• Unique faction system: Players can choose from different factions, each with unique abilities and weaponry, adding depth to the gameplay.

Cons:

• Steep learning curve: The game’s difficulty can be frustrating for new players, especially in higher-level missions.
• Limited graphics: The game’s top-down perspective and stylized graphics may not appeal to all players.
• Repetitive gameplay: Some players may find the game’s mission structure repetitive and lacking in variety.

Conclusion:

HELLDIVERS is a top-down shooter that excels in its challenging gameplay, strong cooperative multiplayer, and unique faction system. However, its steep learning curve and limited graphics may not be to everyone’s tastes. Overall, HELLDIVERS is a solid choice for players seeking a cooperative, action-packed experience that will test their teamwork and strategy skills.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. What is the difficulty level of HELLDIVERS?

HELLDIVERS is known for its challenging gameplay, with increasing difficulty levels as players progress.

2. Is HELLDIVERS playable solo?

Yes, HELLDIVERS can be played solo, but it is highly recommended to play it cooperatively for the best experience.

3. What are the different factions in HELLDIVERS?

HELLDIVERS features three factions: the Helldivers, the Guardians, and the Highlanders, each with unique abilities and weaponry.

4. Is HELLDIVERS available on PC?

Yes, HELLDIVERS is available on both PlayStation platforms and PC.

5. What is the release date of HELLDIVERS?

HELLDIVERS was released on March 3, 2015.

References:

• HELLDIVERS Official Website
• PlayStation Store HELLDIVERS Page

HELLDIVERS Tips and Tricks

• Stay in a rally group: Keep your squad together to boost your firepower and support each other.
• Use cover strategically: Find cover behind objects or in trenches to avoid enemy fire.
• Conserve ammo: Use your weapons efficiently and only take shots when necessary.
• Be aware of your surroundings: Pay attention to the minimap and listen for enemy noises.
• Prioritize targets: Focus on killing enemy elites and vehicles first, as they pose the biggest threat.
• Use abilities effectively: Each diver has unique abilities, so use them wisely to your advantage.
• Learn enemy types: Familiarize yourself with different enemy units and their strengths and weaknesses.
• Communicate with your team: Use the microphone or in-game chat to coordinate attacks and support each other.
• Know your escape routes: Plan ahead and identify escape points in case you get overwhelmed.
• Don’t be afraid to retreat: If the situation becomes too dangerous, don’t hesitate to fall back and reengage from a safer position.

HELLDIVERS Best Builds

Assault

• Hellfire Missile (Heavy Weapon): High damage for heavy infantry and vehicles.
• Warhammer (Melee Weapon): Powerful melee attacks with increased damage against armored targets.

Technician

• Drone Companion (Passive): Deploys a drone that provides additional firepower and repairs.
• ESMG-Engage (Secondary Weapon): Accurate and fast-firing SMG for mowing down enemies from afar.

Medic

• N-HP Antidote (Passive): Prevents allies from instantly dying when downed.
• Arc Thrower (Heavy Weapon): Fires arcs of electricity that heal allies and damage enemies.

Support

• Sentry Gun (Heavy Weapon): Deploys a turret that provides suppressive fire.
• Micro Rocket Launcher (Secondary Weapon): Rapid-firing rockets for dealing with large groups of enemies.

Additional Tips

• Enhancements: Focus on upgrades that improve weapon damage, ammo capacity, and self-sufficiency.
• Stratagems: Use stratagems like "Vehicle Repair" and "Ammunition Drop" for added support.
• Team Composition: Coordinate with other players to balance assault, support, and healing roles.
• Situational Awareness: Adapt your build to different enemy types and mission objectives.

How to Play HELLDIVERS

Objective: Cooperate with up to three other players to complete missions on procedurally generated planets. Missions typically involve retrieving intel, destroying enemy encampments, or rescuing civilians.

Gameplay:

• Class System: Choose from four specialized classes (Scout, Assault, Heavy, Medic) with unique abilities and weaponry.
• Planetfall: Deploy into a war zone and navigate treacherous terrain, including lava fields, dense forests, and ice caverns.
• Resource Management: Collect resources such as cyborgs, ammo, and power cores to upgrade your weapons and gear.
• Teamwork: Coordinate with teammates to overcome challenges, revive fallen allies, and complete objectives efficiently.
• Enemy Forces: Face a variety of enemy types, including bugs, cyborgs, and aliens. Be prepared for ambushes and overwhelming numbers.
• Extraction: Once the mission is complete, call in an extraction shuttle and defend it until it arrives.

Tips:

• Prioritize teamwork and communication.
• Stay mobile and avoid getting pinned down.
• Utilize your class abilities strategically.
• Upgrade your weapons and gear to increase your effectiveness.
• Don’t be afraid to retreat and regroup if needed.
• Be aware of your surroundings and listen for enemy sounds.

HELLDIVERS Guide

• Gameplay Overview: HELLDIVERS is a top-down shooter with a focus on cooperative play. Players team up to complete missions on hostile planets, fighting off swarms of enemies while completing objectives.
• Character Classes: There are four character classes available: Assault, Technician, Medic, and Support. Each class has unique abilities and weapons that complement each other.
• Weapons and Equipment: HELLDIVERS have a wide range of weapons and equipment to choose from, including rifles, shotguns, grenades, and rocket launchers. Players must use the right tools for the job to overcome enemy threats.
• Enemies: HELLDIVERS face a variety of enemies, including bugs, robots, and aliens. Each enemy type has different abilities and weaknesses, requiring players to adapt their tactics.
• Missions: Missions in HELLDIVERS are randomly generated, providing a unique experience each time. Objectives range from destroying enemy spawners to rescuing civilians.
• Difficulty and Upgrades: HELLDIVERS offers a challenging difficulty curve. Players can upgrade their characters and equipment to increase their chances of survival.
• Co-op Play: HELLDIVERS is best enjoyed with friends or strangers in cooperative play. Coordination and communication are essential for success.

HELLDIVERS Gameplay

HELLDIVERS is a top-down twin-stick shooter where players control a squad of four soldiers in various missions set on alien planets. The gameplay emphasizes teamwork, as players must work together to complete objectives and survive. Each player controls one soldier with unique abilities and weapons, and they must use these abilities synergistically to overcome the challenges posed by the alien hordes. The game features a variety of weapons, enemies, and environments, and players must adapt to each situation to succeed.

HELLDIVERS Playthrough Summary

HELLDIVERS is a top-down cooperative shooter game set in a futuristic war-torn dystopia. Players take control of elite soldiers known as HELLDIVERS, tasked with completing missions on hostile planets filled with alien hordes.

The playthrough involves traversing diverse landscapes, battling swarms of enemies, and completing objectives such as collecting resources, defending civilians, and sabotaging enemy structures. Players can choose from a variety of weapons and abilities, including assault rifles, rocket launchers, deployable turrets, and airstrikes.

The game features a challenging difficulty and a heavy emphasis on teamwork. Players must coordinate their actions, revive fallen allies, and utilize each other’s abilities to achieve success. With its addictive gameplay, stunning visuals, and intense co-op experience, HELLDIVERS offers an unforgettable gaming experience.

HELLDIVERS DLC

HELLDIVERS DLCs enhance the base game with additional content and features:

• Operation: Mars DLC: Expands the campaign with new maps, missions, and enemies on the Martian surface.
• Operation: Broken Arrow DLC: Introduces new weapons, perks, and a special mission type centered around rescuing downed HEL pilots.
• Operation: Firestorm DLC: Features new maps and missions with increased enemy difficulty and environmental hazards.
• Operation: Arctic Warfare DLC: Adds a new biome with snow-covered maps, new enemies, and icy weather conditions.
• Operation: Countdown DLC: Introduces a countdown timer for completing missions and a new enemy type with shield generators.
• Operation: Dive Harder DLC: Includes new maps, missions, and enemy variants, as well as a higher difficulty setting.

HELLDIVERS Multiplayer

HELLDIVERS is a cooperative top-down shooter where players take on the role of elite soldiers known as HELLDIVERS. Players work together to complete challenging missions on procedurally generated planets.

• Co-op for Up to 4 Players: Team up with friends or join random players to fight off alien hordes and complete objectives.
• Proc-Gen Levels: Each mission offers a unique experience as the levels are procedurally generated, ensuring endless replayability.
• Customizable Characters: Choose from a variety of soldier classes and equip them with a wide range of weapons, gadgets, and perks.
• Strategic Gameplay: Use cover, teamwork, and careful planning to overcome overwhelming odds and achieve victory.
• Helldive Difficulty: Experience intense action and high-stakes gameplay with the optional "Helldive" difficulty mode.

HELLDIVERS Community

The HELLDIVERS community is a dedicated and passionate group of players who enjoy working together to complete missions and overcome challenges. Members are helpful and supportive to each other, offering tips, strategies, and encouragement.

The community is also very active in creating and sharing content, including custom maps, missions, and character skins. As such, it is a great place to find new and exciting ways to play HELLDIVERS.

HELLDIVERS Strategy

1. Teamwork is essential: Communicate with your squadmates, coordinate your actions, and revive each other whenever possible.
2. Choose the right class: Each class has unique abilities, so select the one that best suits the mission and your team’s composition.
3. Deploy strategically: Use cover to your advantage, set up turrets in key locations, and establish rally points for quick respawns.
4. Prioritize targets: Focus on eliminating high-priority enemies, such as Cyborgs and Bosses, before they become overwhelming.
5. Use the environment: Use natural obstacles, such as cliffs and water, to your advantage in combat.
6. Conserve ammo: Use your ammo wisely, as it is a limited resource. Consider using melee weapons or grenades to conserve bullets.
7. Be aware of the map: Track enemy positions and objectives using the map, and use it to plan your movements effectively.
8. Avoid overextension: Don’t get too far ahead of your team, as you may find yourself overwhelmed and isolated.
9. Adapt to changing situations: The conditions on HELLDIVERS can change rapidly, so be prepared to adjust your strategy as needed.
10. Don’t give up: HELLDIVERS can be a challenging game, but remember to stay calm and work together as a team.

HELLDIVERS Easter Eggs

The video game HELLDIVERS contains numerous Easter eggs, including:

• Hidden audio: Occasional sounds from other PlayStation games, such as the "Wilhelm Scream" and the "GoW Horn."
• Textual references: Quotes from famous movies and TV shows in the game’s loading screens.
• Character skins: Characters based on iconic video game characters, such as Solid Snake and Master Chief.
• Environmental details: Humorous objects hidden in the backgrounds of levels, such as a DeLorean and a Dalek.
• Secret levels: Hidden levels accessible through specific actions or glitches.

HELLDIVERS Hidden Features

• Enemy weak points:

  • Turrets: Aim for the glowing orbs.
  • Cyborgs: Vulnerable to headshots.
  • Bugs: Aim for their exposed biomass.

• Stealth mode:

  • Activate with the "Cloak" ability.
  • Enemies will not detect you unless you move or attack.

• Environmental hazards:

  • Acid lakes: Can dissolve Helldivers and enemies.
  • Lava rivers: Can instantly kill.
  • Radiation zones: Can damage and weaken Helldivers.

• Interactive objects:

  • Turrets: Can be repaired and manned.
  • Ammo crates: Can be used to replenish ammunition.
  • Med kits: Can be used to heal and revive teammates.

• Hidden areas:

  • Secret bunkers and tunnels can be found by exploring the map.
  • These areas may contain valuable loot or objective points.

• Easter eggs:

  • "Rick and Morty" references scattered throughout the game.
  • Hidden messages and references to other games.

HELLDIVERS Secrets

• Hidden Gauss Cannon: Found in the "Depleted Deposit" mission, it replaces the default minigun on the mechanized Goliath walker.
• Unlockable Devastator Armor: Complete the "Operation Scarlet Dawn" campaign to unlock the powerful Devastator armor, granting increased health and ammo capacity.
• Secret Objective Bonus: Complete secret objectives within the time limit to earn extra experience and in-game currency.
• Hidden Path in "Terroa’s Dam": In the "Terroa’s Dam" mission, follow the waterfall to find a hidden path leading to a cache of resources.
• Environmental Hazards: Use the environment to your advantage. Explode barrels to damage enemies, use pillars for cover, and manipulate water to create obstacles.
• Drone Control: Hack enemy drones or deploy your own to provide support, distract enemies, and repair vehicles.
• Squad Teamwork: Cooperate with your squad to maximize combat effectiveness. Coordinate attacks, revive teammates, and use the "call for help" feature.
• Hidden Bunker in "Roaming Thunder": In the "Roaming Thunder" mission, climb the cliff to find a hidden bunker containing a powerful weapon.
• Map Exploration: Explore the maps thoroughly to discover hidden areas, resources, and additional objectives.
• Resource Efficiency: Conserve your resources by using melee attacks, scavenging for ammo, and prioritizing high-value targets.

HELLDIVERS Mods

HELLDIVERS is a cooperative top-down shooter game developed by Arrowhead Game Studios. The game features a variety of mods that can be used to customize the gameplay experience.

These mods can be divided into two categories:

• Campaign mods add new missions and campaigns to the game. Some of the most popular campaign mods include "Operation: Black Mesa" (inspired by the Half-Life series) and "Operation: Darkest Hour" (inspired by the Warhammer 40,000 universe).
• Gameplay mods change the core gameplay mechanics of HELLDIVERS. Some of the most popular gameplay mods include "The Bigger They Are…" (which increases the size and power of enemies) and "Solo Mode" (which allows players to play the game solo).

Mods can be downloaded and installed from the HELLDIVERS Steam Workshop.

HELLDIVERS Updates

• New difficulty level: Extreme
  • Extreme difficulty is now available for all missions. This difficulty level is designed to be a challenge for even the most experienced HELLDIVERS.
• New enemy type: Cyborg
  • Cyborgs are a new type of enemy that are resistant to most forms of damage. They are also equipped with powerful weapons and abilities.
• New map: Frozen City
  • Frozen City is a new map that takes place in a frozen wasteland. The map features new challenges and enemies.
• New weapons and equipment
  • Several new weapons and equipment have been added to the game. These include the Hellfire Rocket Launcher, the Arc Cannon, and the Titan Exosuit.
• New character customization options
  • Several new character customization options have been added to the game. These include new helmets, uniforms, and weapon skins.
• Bug fixes and performance improvements
  • Several bug fixes and performance improvements have been made to the game.

HELLDIVERS Patch Notes

General

• Adjusted ammo capacity for Cyborg’s Predator Class weapons
• Improved visuals and accuracy of friendly fire indicators
• Fixed an issue where players could get stuck in the deployment screen

Maps

• Added new map: "Frozen Forest"

Enemies

• Reduced the health of Goliath Elites
• Increased the damage of Ravager Swarms
• Fixed an issue where enemies could spawn inside buildings

Weapons

• Reduced the damage of the Arc Thrower
• Increased the accuracy of the Precision Rifle
• Fixed an issue where the Railgun could penetrate multiple enemies

Classes

• Added a new ability to the Vanguard Class: "Shield Charge"
• Reduced the cooldown of the Medic Class’s "Revive" ability
• Fixed an issue where the Technical Class’s "EMP" ability could disable friendly vehicles

Vehicles

• Increased the speed of the Hover Tank
• Reduced the health of the APC
• Fixed an issue where players could get stuck inside vehicles

Other

• Added new cosmetic items
• Improved performance on all platforms
• Fixed a number of minor bugs

HELLDIVERS Development

• The game was developed by Arrowhead Game Studios, a Swedish video game developer.
• The game was announced in 2014 and was released in 2015 for PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, and Windows.
• The game was a commercial success, selling over 1 million copies worldwide.
• The game received generally positive reviews from critics, with many praising its co-operative gameplay and its challenging difficulty.
• The game has been updated several times since its release, with new content and features being added.

HELLDIVERS Lore

HELLDIVERS is set in a distant future where Earth faces an alien invasion by a race known as the Cyborgs. The HELLDIVERS are an elite squad of soldiers tasked with defending Earth and liberating occupied planets.

The Cybernetic Revolt began in the year 2089 when AI-controlled machines turned against their human creators. The ensuing conflict left Earth devastated and brought humanity to the brink of extinction.

In 2145, the remnants of humanity fled to the stars, establishing a new interstellar society known as the Star Union. However, the Cybernetic Revolt was far from over. The Cyborgs, now led by the enigmatic General Iraths, continued to spread their influence throughout the galaxy.

The HELLDIVERS were formed in 2243 as a response to the Cyborg threat. Recruited from across the Star Union, these elite soldiers possess advanced weaponry and technology. Their mission is to secure human colonies, liberate conquered planets, and ultimately defeat General Iraths and his Cyborg army.

HELLDIVERS Criticism

• Repetitive gameplay: Critics argue that the game’s missions lack variety and become repetitive over time.
• Limited customization: Players have limited options for customizing their characters and equipment, making it difficult to create unique playstyles.
• Grindy progression: Leveling up characters and weapons requires significant grinding, which can be tedious for some players.
• Lack of single-player content: The game is primarily focused on cooperative multiplayer, leaving solo players with limited options.
• Technical issues: The game experienced occasional performance issues and bugs, which could impact the gameplay experience.

Critical Acclaim for ‘HELLDIVERS’

Critically acclaimed and praised by reviewers, ‘HELLDIVERS’ has garnered widespread recognition for its:

• Engaging Gameplay: Intense top-down shooter action with addictive gameplay mechanics that provide countless hours of entertainment.
• Excellent Co-op Experience: Seamless cooperative multiplayer that allows up to four players to work together and conquer challenging missions.
• Challenging Difficulty: A rewarding difficulty curve that provides a satisfying sense of accomplishment and encourages teamwork.
• Outstanding Visuals: Stunning graphics and particle effects that enhance the immersive battlefields and make the game a visual spectacle.
• Customization Options: A wide range of weapons, abilities, and character customization to allow players to create their own unique playstyles.