HELLDIVERS 2
A co-op sci-fi shooter where you call in orbital strikes and sprint through bug-infested fields alongside squadmates.
Still the best chaotic 4-player co-op shooter on PC despite the playerbase falling from 458k peak to 30k after Arrowhead's balance churn.
For you if
- You bounce off solo extraction shooters and want chaotic 4-player co-op with friendly fire
- You pick strategic loadouts over twitchy aim duels and don't mind 30-second stratagem cooldowns
- You're OK with a galactic-war metagame that resets after Major Order arcs
Not for you if
- You want competitive PvP — Helldivers 2 is co-op-only against AI bug and bot factions
- You quit games when matchmaking ties up or servers cap out at peak hours
- You won't link a PSN account on PC after the May 2024 region-locking blowup
The core co-op PVE loop remains engaging and fun for hundreds of hours despite ongoing frustrations.
Persistent balance changes, performance bugs, and poor developer communication erode trust and enjoyment over time.
Media
What critics say
- 9/10IGN
Helldivers 2's combat feels fantastic, its missions stay fresh and interesting, and its smart progression system doesn't nickel and dime you.
- 9/10GameSpot
Helldivers 2's randomized missions and compelling reward track make for a delightfully fun shooter.
- 86/100PC Gamer
Server issues aside, Helldivers 2 is a bombastic, strategically engaging and funny squad shooter.
Before You Play
Refreshed monthlyIs Helldivers 2 still active in 2026?
Yes — Steam concurrent peaks have stabilized around 30,000 to 55,000 daily players in 2026, well below the 458,709 launch peak from February 2024 but still healthy for a co-op shooter two years post-release. The Heart of Democracy update in May 2025 spiked it back to 129,000 briefly. New Major Order content arcs continue rolling out roughly every 4-6 weeks.
Source: Steam Charts: Helldivers 2
What are the best Helldivers 2 stratagems for Difficulty 10 Super Helldive missions?
On Difficulty 10 the safe baseline pack across all three factions is Eagle Airstrike + Orbital Precision Strike + Guard Dog Rover + Eagle 500kg Bomb — covers fabricator/bug-hole closing, single-target heavy kills, and chaff control without team coordination. Bring a dedicated anti-armor stratagem (Recoilless, Quasar, or 500kg) on top against bots, since armored unit density spikes hard at Difficulty 10.
Source: GamesRadar Stratagem Tier List
Are the Helldivers 2 weapon nerfs from 2024 still in effect?
Most of them have been rolled back. Arrowhead's 60-day plan starting September 2024 reversed the major Eruptor, Railgun, and Flamethrower nerfs that triggered the post-Escalation-of-Freedom backlash, and the Recoilless, Quasar, Commando, EAT, SPEAR, and Patriot exosuit got significant damage buffs in the same window. Patch 6.1.0 in 2025-2026 continued the rebalance work, with most fan-favorite weapons now playing close to or stronger than their launch state.
Source: GamesRadar: 60-day plan coverage
Do I need a PSN account to play Helldivers 2 on PC in 2026?
No. Sony reversed the May 2024 requirement that would have forced PC players to link a PlayStation Network account, after the announcement triggered ~80,000 Steam negative reviews in 24 hours. The link is optional — you can play through Steam without ever creating a PSN account. Sony also dropped the PSN requirement for other PC ports like Spider-Man 2 in October 2024 in light of the Helldivers backlash.
What's the difference between fighting bots and bugs in Helldivers 2?
Bugs (Terminids) swarm in massive melee waves with light armor — fire weapons like the Flamethrower, Incendiary Breaker, and Napalm Eagles wreck them. Bots (Automatons) field heavy armor and accurate ranged fire from rocket striders, hulks, and tanks — bring armor-piercing weapons (Anti-Material Rifle, Autocannon, Quasar) and use cover constantly. Bots punish frontal assaults; bugs punish standing still.
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