Helldivers 2 has seen levels of success that many others within the same genre can only hope to achieve. As one of the best multiplayer co-op games of 2024 with a good chance of retaining that status this year, the future looks bright for this burgeoning franchise. While successful, the Helldivers name still has ways to grow, and one way to help it do so is to look back on what helped it get started.
The amount of freedom one has in Helldivers 2's movement and combat is one of the main appeals of its combat, especially given how well it works in a game that involves working together while shooting numerous alien threats. But fans should not forget that it wasn't always this way, as its predecessor was played from a top-down perspective, which meant things like exploration and cooperation are more difficult than in the sequel. Still, Arrowhead Game Studios couldn't have made Helldivers 2 without this formula's success, making it possible for the developer to consider creating a spin-off with the gameplay of the original Helldivers game.
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Why a New Helldivers Game Would Benefit From Returning to the Top-Down Perspective Gameplay
Whether it's shooting down targets with weapons or summoning barrages with stratagem codes in Helldivers 2, the gameplay is fun and exciting due to the freedom given by the 3D environments. However, that does not mean that going back to the top-down gameplay can't be just as enjoyable, as there are benefits from that model too:
- Going back to having everyone share the same screen means players will be required to coordinate better to complete missions, allowing for a better sense of teamwork
- Incorporating the current units of the Automatons, Terminids, and Illuminate in a game that plays from a perspective similar to the original Helldivers could lead to more intense moments, especially because of the limited movement and visibility
- Having weapons and stratagems from Helldivers 2 in a game with a top-down perspective could result in a lot more destruction than even the first game, leading to many more chaotic but fun experiences
Another Helldivers game in the top-down perspective would definitely be interesting, especially given all the content it has to work with. Hopefully, Arrowhead Game Studios will consider the idea, as it's likely to attract new fans and veterans to help Super Earth with its goals.
What Would Warrant a New Helldivers Game With a Top-Down Perspective
Helldivers 2 is one of those multiplayer games with deep lore that continues to be expounded upon the more it gets updated, and a new game can take advantage of that. Whether it's a spin-off or a mainline entry, it can take some of the events from the sequel and give them gameplay with a top-down style. Doing so can help emphasize the victory or failure of Super Earth's efforts, as players will be given a perspective that allows them to see more than what they would have if it were in the third person. Should it ever happen, Arrowhead Game Studios has a lot of story beats to choose from, like when the Illuminate colonized planets that housed human colonies to bolster their ranks or when the Helldivers pushed back the Terminids to install the Termicide towers.
There are a lot of expectations for Helldivers 2, especially with how popular and relevant it continues to be, and a new game could be one. If Arrowhead Game Studios decides to create one to further its creation's reach, going back to top-down gameplay could be a bold yet beneficial move, as the right execution could lead to even more success.
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
- Genre(s)
- Third-Person Shooter, Extraction Shooter, Action, Science Fiction
