Helldivers 2 quickly became one of 2024's biggest hits, garnering a huge audience and an unexpected burst of popularity when the game was released in February of that year - a considerable step up from developer Arrowhead Game Studios' previous game in the series, which had a record-breaking of all time. peak of less than 7,000 players on Steam. Going to 2025, however, Helldivers 2 has undergone some significant changes, and for new and returning players alike, it's worth questioning whether the game is still worth getting into.
Throughout 2024, Helldivers 2 has had a tumultuous update historywith heavy balance changes, bugs, performance issues, and the narrowly avoided implementation of mandatory PSN account linking on Steam, all generating backlash from players to the point that, at various points in 2024, Helldivers 2Steam reviews have taken drastic hits. More recently, however, Helldivers 2 is on the rise, winning Best Multiplayer Game at The Game Awards 2024 and, more importantly, releasing several updates that have been widely well received – including the introduction of the game's third main faction, the Illuminate.
Helldivers 2 updates keep the game fresh
Regular updates are constantly evolving in Helldivers 2
Closing the first year, Helldivers 2 received several updates back-to-back, which included major course corrections in terms of balance, new content, and most importantly, an entirely new Illuminate faction, an enemy type reintroduced from the first game. The regular addition of new Warbonds, new Major Orders and an ever-changing galactic map means that Helldivers 2 can stay up to date between game sessionsand there's plenty of new content for new or returning players to check out, especially if they've taken a long break from the game.
Considering that closer to the game's release Helldivers 2The approach to balancing player equipment was controversial to say the least, more recent updates have changed the game's approach, offering significant and interesting buffs to a wide variety of weaponsgiving players a wider selection of effective tools. The game's difficulty has thankfully managed to keep up with the player's higher power levels, with the higher difficulties in particular still able to offer a significant challenge even after the player's tools have received significant updates for several consecutive patches.
As of the game's most recent major update, the Illuminate faction also provided much-needed variety. It provides players with a third front to fight that features enemies drastically different from the Terminids and Automatons, which have been in the game since launch. The "No vote"Hordes of zombies and shielded enemies that Illuminate missions pit players against require a different approach than either of the other two factions. This allows players to use different tools and gives them more options about where they want to direct their efforts.
New content planned for Helldivers 2
Helldivers 2 developers have promised to continue updating the game
Additionally, although plans are vague at this time, the developers behind Helldivers 2 confirmed their intention to continue supporting the gamewith the game's creative director and Arrowhead COO Johan Pilestedt commenting on X that "We're turning Helldivers 2 into Helldivers 3", ensuring that the game will continue to receive new content. After the addition of Illuminate, it is likely that more significant additions along these lines will take some time to implement, but new enemy types for existing factions, new mission types, and new player equipment are probably in development.
Warbonds games are also released regularly bringing new weapons, armor, stratagems and cosmetics to the gamefunctioning as mini-updates to give players new tools to play. Admittedly, however, working towards Warbonds without spending additional real money on Super Credits can be a difficult process and encourages play on lower difficulties, where the game may not present enough challenge to be interesting for all players.
After the addition of Illuminate, the game has already received some small updates in the form of Helldivers 2of Kill zone crossover (which came at the cost of controversy over pricing and FOMO marketing tactics) and the addition of the WASP Launcher stratagem, which was made available for free to all players. Helldivers 2The developers have already discussed the possibility of future crossover content for the game as well, promising to learn from the game's mistakes. Kill zone crossover, opening up more possibilities for the future of the game.
Why Helldivers 2 is still worth playing in 2025
One year after release, Helldivers 2 is arguably in the best shape it's ever been
While Helldivers 2 went through some difficulties, including a rocky launch and some poorly received updates soon after, its current state is probably the best the game has ever beenand given the lessons learned by developers, this trend is likely to continue with future updates. Helldivers 2 It's not a perfect game, and its live service elements and updates aren't always managed perfectly, but it's still one of the standout live service titles currently on the market, succeeding where many other games have failed.
It is important to highlight that Helldivers 2The update history showed that, Although game developers don't always make perfect decisions, they are at least willing to learn from mistakesas shown by the change in the game in terms of balance and the rapid correction of the Kill zone crossover content, for which the developers made the second wave of gear available for free following player backlash. The result has been a rebound in the player population, which has increased significantly since the game's less popular months, and renewed interest and enthusiasm from the game's Helldivers 2 community.
Like any other live service game, Helldivers 2 It will continue to live or die by the quality of future updates, and there's no guarantee it can maintain its current trajectory forever. Going into 2025, though, the game is currently in an excellent position, with plenty of varied content to offer its player base. While Helldivers 2 may not reach the absolute heights of popularity it enjoyed shortly after its initial release, it's definitely still worth playing a year after release.
Source: @Pilestedt/X