Helldivers 2 is ONE TO WATCH in 2024

​Blog post by: Gemma @ Juicy Game Reviews / TheGebs24

Helldivers 2 (PS5) - The variation of planets are stunning

Arrowhead Studios took me by surprise with the release of Helldivers 2. That's not to say I was not expecting a sequeal to Helldivers; I was no expecting to be so hooked on this simple, yet effective, squad based shooter. 

I've been occupying the Hellpods aboard my shop, Lady Redemption; lodged firmly within my PlayStation 5. As I write this blog, I've just passed level 20 so I feel well equipped to recommend this tremendous experience to you.

"Just another Third Person Shooter"
You could not be more wrong. Helldivers 2. Both man and woman are pit against bugs (aka Terminids) or Cyborgs (Automotons). As you glance over the world map, you choose a side to land, choose a planet, then choose a mission. Teams of four players climb in to single Hellpods and you drop in to HELL! Mission types vary. Your team might be tasked to clear out clusters of eggs that are lodged deeply within Terminid nests, collect data/keys and upload them to a server or just destroy massive Bile Titans. Once the main objectives are clear, your team meanders to the Extraction Zone. It gets a little crazy around extraction zones. As you wait for the drop ship to collect you, hordes of enemies descend on your position. Solid team work is essential to survive and extract. Be warned! If you die, a team member will reinforce you back down to HELL! You get the idea.

Stratagems will become your greatest ally in Helldivers 2. Hitting L1 brings up a menu of D-PAD inputs. Each input allows you to use a Stratagem. Stratagems range from machine guns, sentry's, clusters bombs and much more. There's lots to choose from. You buy Stratagems using XP and you select your loadout before your Hellpod launches. 

Automotons Vs Terminids
For beginners, I would advise starting on the Terminid side. Basically, head towards the yellowy/orange side of the world map. Ask anyone who plays Helldivers 2 and they'll tell you the same. The Cyborg Automotons (red/pinkish side). 

There are multiple difficulties in Helldivers 2. The more you level up, the more difficulties you unlock. I prefer Challenging difficulty. There is a nice balance of enemy frequency against my skill level. There are eight difficulties in total:

• Trivial - 1
• Easy - 2
• Medium - 3
• Challenging - 4
• Hard - 5
• Extreme - 6
• Suicide Mission - 7
• Impossible - 8

I'd say my skills are average in Helldivers 2 but when I have a solid team, I'm happy to venture in to Hard and Extreme difficulties. Your team is imperative to your success so choose wisely. The last thing you want is someone who strays off trying to complete side quests. Why? Let's say you call down a Supply Drop Stratagem. That's great right? You replenish your stims, ammo and grenades. That supply drop will be out of action for a period of time. If the team is not together, the team will not benefit. You get it right? The golden rules: Stick together, work together. 

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Brace yourselves for deep exploration in Helldivers 2

Weapons
Thankfully, the weapon select menus are easy to follow. There are no sub-menus or attachments to fit. You simply choose a weapon and off you go! Afterall, this is not Call of Duty and thank goodness. 

You can name your ship. Mine is Lady of Redemption. Ultimately, this means nothing in the grand scheme of things but it's the little things that craft your bespoke experience in Helldivers 2. Your ship is essentially your lobby. You can have a maximum of four per team and once members join your team, they can loiter on the ship, change a loadout and add Stratagems. The game begins when you, the leader, chooses a mission at the world map. Going forward, I would love to see expansions become available for your ship. This Mass Effect 2 and you'll get the idea. 

Helldivers 2 is an incredibly fun and simple game. I'm intrigued to see how the game unfolds in to 2024. Enjoy.

​Blog post by: Gemma @ Juicy Game Reviews / TheGebs24