HELLDIVERS 2 vs Splatoon Raiders
Chaotic co-op democracy versus solo DIY paint-looting — pick your poison based on squad size and grind tolerance.
Updated 10d ago
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.
Looter-shooter loops and swappable gadget parts cement Splatoon Raiders as the spin-off the franchise needed — dethrones the mainline as the co-op pick.
By the numbers
Prices checked Aug 25; they move faster than we refresh, so confirm on the store page.
Recent-review figures are Steam's own last-30-days window, read Aug 25.
| Measure | HELLDIVERS 2 | Splatoon Raiders |
|---|---|---|
| Value | ||
| Price now | $31.99 −20% · GameBillet | $49.99 eShop |
| All-time low | $25.47 | — |
| Cost / hour | $1.00/hr $31.99 · 32 h main story | — |
| Off its low | +26% low was Mar 2025 | — |
| Main story | 32 h | — |
| Health | ||
| Steam reviews | 75% 1.2M reviews | — |
| Recent reviews | 81% 5k votes · vs 75% lifetime · improving | — |
| Peak players | 43,782 Jul 2026 · ↓ 4% MoM | — No PC release |
| Launch peak | 10% of Feb 2024 launch peak · as of Jul 2026 | — |
| All-time peak | 458,208 Feb 2024 | — |
| Support | ||
| Last patch | yesterday | 3 weeks ago |
| Patch cadence | 5 in last 90 days | 2 in last 90 days |
| Steam Deck | Gold | — |
What players say
Patterns from long-haul reviewers, taken from each game's verdict. Not live sentiment — each side is dated below.
HELLDIVERS 2
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.
from our May 2026 verdict
Splatoon Raiders
The build-craft loop's customizability keeps 95-hour players hooked, speed builds feeling personal and every gadget part mattering.
The endgame grind wall blocks full completion for the long-haul crowd, and co-op is the only cure for the chaotic late missions.
from our August 2026 verdict
Key differences
Which one is for you?
Pick HELLDIVERS 2 if
- You love four-player chaos with unplanned friendly-fire mishaps
- You want a game that updates regularly with new Major Order arcs
- You're fine with occasional server issues during peak hours
Pick Splatoon Raiders if
- You prefer solo or co-op without PvP stress
- You enjoy deep buildcraft and grinding for new gear
- You want a single-player experience that extends beyond a story campaign
Bottom line
Choose Helldivers 2 if you have a regular squad and enjoy live-service chaos; pick Splatoon Raiders if solo looting and buildcraft matter more than multiplayer scale.