Edit 1/28/2025
Aaaaand we're back to loving this game.
PSN drama went nowhere, and after the release of the Illuminate the community feels alive again.
Redemption stories are real, this game is amazing, the community is fantastic, and the freedom is super democratic.

---- PRIOR REVIEW BELOW ----

Edit: 5/5/2024
Welp, I loved this game but as of May, Arrowhead and Sony made an overreaching decision to require PSN accounts to play the game, disregarding a large chunk of the playerbase who live in areas where PSN accounts do not exist.
Their solution? Use a VPN! But VPNs are also against PSN TOS, so they'll ban you for that too.
Sad to see a great game decided to get complacent with all their success and just do an absolutely room-temp decision and sabotage their own success.

---- ORIGINAL REVIEW BELOW ----

I can not recommend this game enough.
This is such a simple gameplay loop that is constantly gratifying and satisfying to no end.
Micro-transactions? Sure, they exist, but I've discovered that the real-life currency is found in the gameworld in an abundance that honestly, you don't need to spend real life money to get whatever you want after a day of gameplay.

This game is a stand-out hit that really showcases a shift from AAA studios to Independent studios providing a much better gaming experience.

Edit : 03/07/2024

Are there bugs? Sure, but unlike most AAA studios, the only bugs I've encountered are either minuscule or happen very rarely. Sure, my game has crashed, but the game loads up so fast that I can just rejoin the mission with my friends.

Every bug you encounter is instantly forgiven or forgotten because it's not game breaking, and Arrowhead has proven that they address these issues faster than AAA or, dare I say, AAAA game studios (wtf even is AAAA?)

Lastly, don't let the naysayers of "Oh no, they nerfed muh gun, the META!!!!" get you down. The only people who can only play this game with only one loadout are NOT the Helldivers with skill. Every single firearm shines in certain situations, and every firearm has it's weaknesses.

There is no single "best" weapon, only the weapons best suited for your playstyle. Try everything out, and to quote Lieutenant Rasczak: "Figuring things out for yourself is the only freedom that anyone really has. Use that freedom. Make up your own mind, [Helldiver]!"

Edit 1/28/2025 Aaaaand we're back to loving this game. PSN drama went nowhere, and after the release of the Illuminate the community feels alive again. Redemption stories are real, this game is amazing, the community is fantastic, and the freedom is super democratic. ---- PRIOR REVIEW BELOW ---- Edit: 5/5/2024 Welp, I loved this game but as of May, Arrowhead and Sony made an overreaching decision to require PSN accounts to play the game, disregarding a large chunk of the playerbase who live in areas where PSN accounts do not exist. Their solution? Use a VPN! But VPNs are also against PSN TOS, so they'll ban you for that too. Sad to see a great game decided to get complacent with all their success and just do an absolutely room-temp decision and sabotage their own success. ---- ORIGINAL REVIEW BELOW ---- I can not recommend this game enough. This is such a simple gameplay loop that is constantly gratifying and satisfying to no end. Micro-transactions? Sure, they exist, but I've discovered that the real-life currency is found in the gameworld in an abundance that honestly, you don't need to spend real life money to get whatever you want after a day of gameplay. This game is a stand-out hit that really showcases a shift from AAA studios to Independent studios providing a much better gaming experience. Edit : 03/07/2024 Are there bugs? Sure, but unlike most AAA studios, the only bugs I've encountered are either minuscule or happen very rarely. Sure, my game has crashed, but the game loads up so fast that I can just rejoin the mission with my friends. Every bug you encounter is instantly forgiven or forgotten because it's not game breaking, and Arrowhead has proven that they address these issues faster than AAA or, dare I say, AAAA game studios (wtf even is AAAA?) Lastly, don't let the naysayers of "Oh no, they nerfed muh gun, the META!!!!" get you down. The only people who can only play this game with only one loadout are NOT the Helldivers with skill. Every single firearm shines in certain situations, and every firearm has it's weaknesses. There is no single "best" weapon, only the weapons best suited for your playstyle. Try everything out, and to quote Lieutenant Rasczak: "Figuring things out for yourself is the only freedom that anyone really has. Use that freedom. Make up your own mind, [Helldiver]!"