Helldivers 2 has been on a roll lately, as the third-person shooter finally came to Xbox last month, while the Into the Unjust update at the beginning of September brought even more action to the table. Since its launch, Helldivers 2 has continued to challenge players consistently, and Into the Unjust brought forth terrifying new types of Terminids to face.
Terminids like the Rupture Spewer, Rupture Warrior, and Rupture Charger all burrow beneath the ground, which is terrifying enough, but the Dragonroach, a Terminid that literally flies like a dragon, is the cherry on top of a horrifying new roster of enemies. Helldivers 2 has continued to introduce new enemy types, and while the temptation to introduce new Automaton variants is likely growing, developer Arrowhead Game Studios may want to hold off before turning up the dial on this faction.
Helldivers 2 Could Be Setting Up the Automatons for the Next Big Update, But Into the Unjust's Changes Should Get More Time to Breathe
Bringing the Bots Back Into the Spotlight
The past few days have seen Automatons get center stage again, as Helldivers have been working hard to liberate the mines on Mintoria. If Into the Unjust is anything to go off of, then Helldivers 2 could be hiding a lineup of horrifying new Automaton variants behind the curtain.
With the Illuminate being the main target for a while and the Terminids now wreaking havoc with their new types, that leaves the Automatons next in line to evolve further. A few months ago, there were even leaks that suggested that Helldivers could be taking the fight for freedom to the Automatons' homeworld of New Cyberstan. This remains to be seen, and all leaks should be met with skepticism, but it definitely isn't outside the realm of possibility. However, the changes brought to the bugs in Into the Unjust should continue to be the focus for a while, otherwise, Helldivers 2 runs the risk of becoming bloated. Even worse, Arrowhead Game Studios could struggle to keep up with its own updates.
Introducing a New Cyberstan invasion to Helldivers 2 could be a great way to flip the Battle of Super Earth on its head, as players could become the aggressor in a homeworld invasion instead of the defenders.
Helldivers 2 Should Avoid Setting Up False Expectations
Now that Xbox players have added an all-new set of players to the equation, Helldivers 2 has become bigger than ever. After Into the Unjust, the Dirt Devils Premium Warbond, and the ODST Legendary Warbond crossover with Halo, adding another big update centered around the Automatons may give newcomers the wrong idea about how often to expect such significant content.
Helldivers 2's developers have done a great job at consistently bringing fresh content to players. Arrowhead Game Studios has managed to turn the divisive live-service model into a fun and interactive tool. Every fresh update has made the world of Helldivers 2 feel that much more rich, and while it's got to be tempting to showcase the Automatons for newer players, patience is the best route forward.
Last month, Helldivers 2 ranked fourth in gaming revenue charts, thanks to its Xbox debut.
Helldivers 2's Future is Looking Bright
Helldivers 2 took 2024 by storm when it launched at the beginning of the year. Many were surprised to see the humble third-person shooter take the stage as one of the year's best games, and its second year has continued to prove that the game still has plenty of room to grow. Keeping a live-service game fresh and exciting has got to be a big challenge for developers, but Arrowhead Games Studio has managed to maintain a solid level of surprise. Stronger Automatons are a given, but devs are hopefully waiting a little longer before introducing Helldivers 2's next major threat.
Helldivers 2
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 83 /100 Critics Rec: 91%
- Released
- February 8, 2024
- ESRB
- Mature 17+ / Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, In-Game Purchases, Users Interact
- Developer(s)
- Arrowhead Game Studios, Nixxes
- Publisher(s)
- Sony Interactive Entertainment, PlayStation Publishing
WHERE TO PLAY
The Galaxy’s Last Line of Offence. Enlist in the Helldivers and join the fight for freedom across a hostile galaxy in a fast, frantic, and ferocious third-person shooter.
URGENT BROADCAST – SUPER EARTH ARMED FORCES
Freedom. Peace. Democracy. Your Super Earth-born rights. The key pillars of our civilization. Of our very existence. But the war rages on. And everything is once again under threat.
Join the greatest military force the galaxy has ever seen and make this a safe and free place to live.
BECOME A LEGEND
You will be assembled into squads of up to four Helldivers and assigned strategic missions. Watch each other’s back – friendly fire is an unfortunate certainty of war, but victory without teamwork is impossible.
LOADOUTS
Rain down freedom from above, sneak through enemy territory, or grit your teeth and charge head-first into the jaws of combat. How you deliver liberty is your choice; you’ll have access to a wide array of explosive firepower, life-saving armor and battle-changing stratagems… the jewel in every Helldiver’s arsenal.
REQUISITION
Super Earth recognises your hard work with valuable Requisition. Use it to access different rewards that benefit you, your squad, your destroyer ship and our overall war effort.
THREATS
Everything on every planet wants you dead. That’s what we’re dealing with. Each enemy has distinct and unpredictable characteristics, tactics, and behavior – but they all fight ferociously and without fear or morality.
THE GALACTIC WAR
Capturing enemy planets, defending against invasions, and completing missions will contribute to our overall effort. This war will be won or lost depending on the actions of everyone involved.
We stand together, or we fall apart.
- Genre(s)
- Third-Person Shooter, Extraction Shooter, Action, Science Fiction
