You’re being recruited for the front lines. Yes, you read that right. Freedom never sleeps! In this never-ending fight, countless gamers around the world have been conscripted to launch their consoles and join forces to defend democracy across the galaxy. So suit up, Helldiver, you’re our last resort. Helldivers 2, the sequel to Helldivers, launched on February 8, 2024, taking the gaming world by storm. And I have to say, it is a triumphantly good time. Let me explain why you should join the fight for DEMOCRACY, even if you’re a noob like me. 

Firstly, what are you getting yourself into? Helldivers 2 is a third-person shooter by Arrowhead Game Studios currently available on PlayStation and PC. Hopefully, XBOX will join the fray soon; we need all hands on deck in this fight. You play as a Helldiver, “an elite class of soldiers whose mission is to spread peace, liberty, and Managed Democracy using the biggest, baddest, and most explosive tools in the galaxy.” The plot revolves around defending Super Earth from incoming alien and automaton attacks, with room for other factions to join in the future. Gamers around the world work together to “liberate” planets, with liberation percentages calculated in real-time. The effectiveness of our attacks and counterattacks will determine, in the long run, if we push the “enemy” back or if our home Super Earth comes under fire. Reports have spread that the developers are working on the game in real-time, with a very destructive “Game Master” even changing missions to reflect the current state of the galaxy. It really is like we’ve all been recruited to defend Super Earth, and the fate of this fictional galaxy depends on how well we all work together–and how often we can get on this game and give all the bad guys a nice cup of LIBER-TEA! Also, did I mention we might not actually be the good guys here? I mean, “Managed Democracy” doesn’t really sound like democracy. I’m not the only one who senses a huge plot twist incoming. 

Why, exactly, should you be shouting “FREEDOM!” while you chuck hand grenades at hordes of aliens erupting out of the ground covering you in goo? (Well, maybe don’t throw grenades that close . . .) Because this game allows gamers to work together against a common goal. The story is satirical yet humorous, the technical aspects of the game itself are both fun and functional, and the idea of unifying the gaming community for live-time, success-or-failure events is so freaking cool. Conscripting us all to fight for the same thing in a virtual environment where we face off against insurmountable odds alongside friends and fellow comrades-in-arms, going up against automatons, big gooey bugs, and a story that actually evolves based on how well we all do? Sign me up. It’s like Pokémon GO for Call of Duty enthusiasts, and I’m here for it.

Full disclosure, I’m a relative noob to the gaming community. I absolutely adore games. However, I lean more toward linear narratives or RPGs, with Uncharted and Elden Ring holding my top spots. I play COD, tried and adored Titanfall, and am not so good at Fortnite. But with my Helldivers squad, I had an absolute blast playing. I spent five consecutive hours in my chair staring at my screen, running into hordes, accidentally blowing myself up, and failing miserably at calling in stratagems, and it only felt like an hour had passed. Not to mention I spent half of it running around after my little sister as she took us straight through enemy territory . . .

Game clip below provided by fellow contributors Dan Morris and Brandy Brown

So, if you enjoy shooting games, appreciate some good satire, prefer seriously challenging but still addictively fun gameplay, and can shoot in a straight line and be a good teammate, Helldivers 2 is for you. Emphasis on the teammate part–while you can play solo, prepare to get squished under dropships if you try it that way. I can firmly state this isn’t a “let me solo her” game, as someone who one hundred percent tried to run in there with a machine gun and call it a day. NOPE. Helldivers 2 is a cooperative game that benefits from using at least a ping system to communicate threats and absolutely thrives on a squad of friends you enjoy playing with. Everyone must work together to defend freedom! With vehicles, additional weapons, mech suits, and fire tornadoes incoming, it’s time to get comfy pinging bugs and calling out samples, buddy.

All things considered, Helldivers 2 is a ridiculously good time, as long as you don’t have a little sister . . .. Don’t worry; I’ll tell her I’m picking on her, of course.

Have you played Helldivers 2? What’s the funniest thing that’s happened to you on a helldive? Do you think we’re on the good side? ‘Cause if Super Earth ain’t so super, we won’t be surprised . . .

@keonovo im doing my part. #helldivers2 #helldivers2gameplay #helldivers2game ♬ original sound – KeoNovo