HELLDIVERS™ 2 News

Helldivers 2 pits co-op players against swarms of computer-controlled aliens and robots in the context of a vast, ongoing galactic war. There might be someone else in battles with the power to tip the scales, however: an omniscient game master, employed by developers Arrowhead, who can monitor the fight and drop in buffs and debuffs to change the flow of the fight.

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The Helldivers universe is one of noble soldiers, heroic deeds, and heartfelt, unflinching patriotism in the face of giant acid-spewing bug monsters. In the words of Game Writer Stephen Flowers:

I personally love writing for a game with opportunities for comedy, and that doesn't take itself too seriously. I hope I can find a game like that soon...

If you want to catch up with the story of Super Earth and her valiant defenders, read on.

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[h2]Since Helldivers…[/h2]

HELLDIVERS 2 takes place a century after the events of the first game, with Super Earth having emerged victorious against its adversaries – the deadly, bug-like Terminids, the grotesque Cyborgs and the inscrutable Illuminates. With its foes vanquished and the Galactic War won, an era of peace and prosperity ensued. The Helldivers, Super Earth’s elite task force, were dismissed.

Super Earth entered its most peaceful and prosperous years.

The same faster-than-light travel technology, heroically liberated from the Illuminates, that gave Super Earth access to the galaxy, has since been used to colonize it. This period has come to be known as The Great Democratization. FTL technology is reliant on a steady supply of the precious substance E-710 which, luckily, can be found in decomposing Terminid bodies. So naturally, Super Earth has been farming Terminids on an industrial scale.

The success of Super Earth depends on the hard work of citizens.

[h2]Why Super Earth needs you[/h2]

In a shocking turn of events, the Terminids have broken free of their farms and begun spreading throughout the galaxy. The Super Earth Armed Forces have been struggling to quarantine them on their farm planets, but are stretched thin – so when a mysterious new enemy enters the fray, Super Earth has no choice but to mobilize the Helldivers once again.

The Automatons are fully mechanized soldiers of a kind never seen before. But their emblem is eerily familiar …

It is now up to you, Helldiver, to don your cape and take back Super Earth’s colonies once and for all. You will be fighting these vile, freedom-hating foes on two fronts, as Super Earth works to implement a solution to the Terminid scourge.

Super Earth calls upon the Helldivers once again.

[h2]Doing your part[/h2]

As the Helldivers battle the foes of Super Earth, you will not only change the face of the galaxy, but the course of its history. Super Earth will issue global, time-sensitive Major Orders, challenging all players to work together to achieve large-scale goals, the outcome of which will shape the story going forward. Meaning, the story is not something that happens to players, but something the players themselves have to actively make happen.

As Stephen puts it:

What's unique about the story of Helldivers 2 is that it's driven by the player community. Planning for that is a huge challenge – we have what we think will happen, but we ultimately can't control what the players do. Which as a player I find cool, but as a writer I find really scary.

As for the story ahead, all I can say is that the galaxy will look very different a few months from now than it does today.

Can the Helldivers pull together to defend vital strategic outposts against overwhelming numbers, or complete grand story missions before another faction makes their move? Not only time, but the blood, sweat and mangled bodies of Helldivers will tell.

[h2]The Continuing War[/h2]

Super Earth’s struggle for supremacy doesn’t end there—your future as a Helldiver is secure! There’s so much more to come as we expand the game’s content offering. We’re excited to confirm that as players fight in the Galactic War, they will also witness events unfold through our planned free updates. The universe of HELLDIVERS 2 will grow and change to give our players refreshed gameplay, introducing new tools, new challenges, and new threats from around the galaxy.

Helldivers™2 releases on Steam this Thursday, February 8th. Pre-load is available today!

PSN account required.
©2024 Sony Interactive Entertainment LLC. Developed by Arrowhead Game Studios AB. Helldivers is a registered trademark of Sony Interactive Entertainment LLC and related companies in the U.S. and other countries.

What would a Helldiver be without their equipment? Our Deputy Game Director, Sagar Beroshi, sat down to talk to us about the Warbond system in HELLDIVERS 2!

[h3]What is a Warbond?[/h3]
“We're trying to model a unique type of live service with the Warbonds. They're like getting a treasure chest full of toys,” Sagar says. And he’s right: the Warbonds are your ticket to fighting the Galactic War in style with lots of unlockable gear, but they reflect the changing tides of war on Super Earth as well. “It's been a century since the last game, and Super Earth is starting to get its military-industrial complex churning again. And to whom would it be better to offer gear than the Helldivers?”

The items available will each have unique features that can offer a variety of tactics for play. “You're going to see some really cool items in the game, each one giving you different ways to approach problems within missions. So, get ready to armor up, drop in, and erase some enemy scum.”

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[h3]How do they work?[/h3]
Warbonds give you access to multiple pages of unlockable content that can be obtained in a couple of different ways. Apart from the first Warbond—Helldivers Mobilize—which has been graciously gifted to you by Super Earth, you can unlock new Premium Warbonds using Super Credits. Super Credits can either be purchased from the in-game store or discovered in missions by exploring points of interest.

Once you own a Warbond, you spend your hard earned medals to unlock your desired toys. Medals are awarded by completing objectives, missions, and operations. Medals can also be found the old-fashioned way by exploring the battlefield.

Do you hate FOMO? We do! Sagar wants to be clear about the monetization in HELLDIVERS 2: “At Arrowhead, we're gamers too, and we want these Warbonds to feel modern, fun, and in line with the Arrowhead style. This is important to us: the Warbonds are NOT a pay-to-win, FOMO-driven system. Instead, the gear in the Warbonds just keeps accumulating. We will not retire earlier Warbonds as new ones are released - you can pick them up and complete them at any time!”

The JAR-5 Dominator, with its jet-propelled high-damage projectiles, is part of the Steeled Veterans Premium Warbond.

Buying Warbonds - At a Glance
To get access to the Warbond and unlock items, follow these simple steps!

• Buy Super Credits (your virtual in-game currency) from the in-game “ACQUISITIONS” store, or discover whilst on in-game missions.
  
• Head in-game and browse the Warbond catalogues – check out all that gear you could unlock!
  
• Buy your Warbond of choice with your purchased Super Credits.
  
• Complete missions to earn Medals (your in-game reward currency).
  
• Spend those Medals to unlock more content from the Warbond catalogue.
  

The SG-225IE Breaker Incendiary, a modified shotgun with incendiary projectiles, part of the Steeled Veterans Premium Warbond.

[h3]The Superstore[/h3]
In addition to purchasing Warbonds, Super Credits can be used in the Superstore. The Superstore has a rotating storefront containing unique sets of armor, so that you can spread liberty in style.

The Superstore features regularly refreshed content.

We’re excited for players to see the content we have planned for these and future Warbonds! HELLDIVERS 2 is launching, with the free Helldivers Mobilize Warbond and the purchasable Steeled Veterans Premium Warbond, on February 8, 2024. Make sure to check it out!

The Premium Warbond Steeled Veterans is included in our Helldivers 2 Super Citizen Edition. Pre-order are available now!

Content shown requires base game, paid purchase of Super Credits, and game progression to unlock.
PSN account required. Gameplay requires internet access.
©2024 Sony Interactive Entertainment LLC. Developed by Arrowhead Game Studios AB. Helldivers is a registered trademark of Sony Interactive Entertainment LLC and related companies in the U.S. and other countries.

Helldivers 2 will crashdown on our planet's surface on February 8th, 2024, and turns the topdown co-op alien shooter into a flashier, fancier third-person version of the same. A new trailer release today details how its 'Galactic War' systems work - that is, the macro-scale conflict within which your missions and bug hunts take place.

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[h2]The Galactic War[/h2]

One of the key features of Helldivers 2 is The Galactic War. Super Earth's territories are under siege on all fronts by monstrous enemies hell-bent on destroying humanity's way of life. From the war table aboard your ship, your team can watch as the conflict unfolds and take part in battles across the universe. You will do your part to advance the frontlines in the name of Freedom and Managed Democracy.



[h2]The Helldivers[/h2]

Helldivers are the true heroes of Super Earth. As an elite soldier, you have the full might of Super Earth's arsenal at your disposal. Use your lethal array of stratagems and weaponry to defend its colonizers and liberate planets from enemy forces.

Rise through the ranks and take on increasingly difficult missions to solidify your place in Helldiver history – and if one Helldiver should perish, that's just an opportunity for another Citizen to realize their dream. Prosperity and liberty are your core values and it's your privilege to spread them.

[h2]The Enemy Factions[/h2]

The robotic Automatons and the bug-like Termininds terrorize Super Earth citizens in the biggest conflict since the last Helldiver mobilization, over one hundred years ago. Each faction operates differently, and requires their own strategies – and stratagems – to face.

The work of a Helldiver never ends as more planets fall into the enemy’s clutches and the battle rages on. Play your part in an evolving war to reclaim planets for Super Earth and spread democracy and liberty to the furthest reaches of the galaxy. Conquer not only Super Earth’s foes but the elements themselves, as you brave a plethora of environmental hazards on the surface of alien worlds.

[h2]Missions and Operations[/h2]

Unite with your comrades in arms and monitor the conflict at the War Table together.

Assemble around the Galactic War map with your squad and choose your mission.

Once you choose a planet, the War Table will allow you to choose an operation to partake in. Operations consist of up to three missions, with a variety of primary objectives, like eradicating bug infestations, destroying enemy supplies, and retrieving valuable data.

You can strategize with your team and build your load-outs collaboratively to prepare for the challenge ahead.

Embark on a range of different missions, from taking down high value targets or launching missiles to strike the heart of enemy strongholds. While fighting on the frontlines, keep your eyes open for potential resources and intel to bring back to Super Earth researchers. Your progress contributes to the overall war effort, and brings you closer to liberating that sector of the galaxy.

Super Earth is depending on you. Enlist today—Hellpods drop on February 8!

PSN account required. Gameplay requires internet access and paid for PlayStation®Plus membership (sold separately) on PS5®. PlayStation Plus membership subject to recurring subscription fee taken automatically until cancellation. Age restrictions apply. Full terms: play.st/psplus-usageterms.