Helldivers 2 is a game absolutely dripping with personality. What most people might see as a loving homage to sci-fi flicks like Starship Troopers has taken on a life of its own as a satire of fascist governments, state-sponsored propaganda, and unhealthy extremes of patriotism. All this narrative commentary is wrapped up in an entertaining, satisfying gameplay experience that’s engaging enough that most players may forget or not even recognize the clever writing on display.
But one place Helldivers 2’s overarching themes are completely unavoidable is on launching the game. Every time players start the game, a cutscene plays that acts as an in-universe recruitment ad for the Helldivers. This cutscene (which doubled as a launch trailer for the game) is one of the most creative things Arrowhead has done with the title and absolutely should not be the first and last of its kind.
Why The Perfect Helldivers 2 Crossover Will Likely Never Happen
If Helldivers 2 ever branches out into crossovers with other franchises, the perfect collaboration is unfortunately off limits.
Helldivers 2 Could Use Cutscenes to Help Its Storytelling
The opening cutscene for Helldivers 2 is one minute and 37 seconds long, and that’s all the time it needs to perfectly convey what the game is all about: killing aliens with cool weapons for a shady government that probably doesn’t actually have the people’s best interest at heart. It’s succinct, it’s funny, it’s well produced, and it’s a great introduction to the world that gets players excited about being a part of Super Earth’s Armed Forces. But more importantly than any of these, it’s a great first step.
The Illuminate expected to come to Helldivers 2 is currently one of the worst kept secrets in gaming. Data leaks have all but confirmed that the original Helldivers’ alien antagonists are coming in the sequel. It’s just a matter of when. Such a momentous occasion in the game’s life cycle and story should be noted with a new cinematic; something to let the community really know that it just got serious. It can even come in the form of a grave new recruitment ad, encouraging even more enlistment in light of the new alien threat.
A new cutscene doesn’t even have to go along with such a major narrative shake up. Players have probably noticed that the Automatons are conspicuously absent from the current cinematic, despite launching with Helldivers 2 alongside the Terminids. It might be an idea for each of the factions to get their own dedicated cutscene as they come out. The next recruitment ad Super Earth puts out may feature a call to action against the bots, and then another when additional factions eventually make it to Helldivers 2.
Smaller Major Order Cutscenes on the Destroyer TV
Helldivers 2’s narrative is unconventional, to say the least. The story of Helldivers 2's Second Galactic War (formerly just a “special military operation”) is unfolding in real time as players coordinate attack and defense campaigns on strategic planets. So far, it’s been a unique, fun way to tell a story in the medium, but it comes as a double-edged sword. With so much of the narrative being conveyed in text bubbles giving major orders, it's incredibly easy for players to miss major story beats, especially if they’re the type to just want to cut into the action. Cutscenes to announce major order victories may be a way to remedy this.
Granted, major orders are a fairly common occurrence and expecting a high production value cutscene for the outcomes of every single one is just not realistic, especially when the outcomes are determined by player action or inaction. Instead of the highly polished, rendered cutscene seen in the opening, maybe Arrowhead delivers smaller, lower impact announcements on the Super Destroyer’s television that updates the community on the latest major order.
Helldivers 2
- Released
- February 8, 2024
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.
- 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
- Multiplayer
- Online Co-Op
- Franchise
- Helldivers
- Number of Players
- 1-4 players (online)
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, PC
- Genre(s)
- Third-Person Shooter, Extraction Shooter, Action, Science Fiction
- Metascore
- 83
- Platforms That Support Crossplay
- PC & PS5
