We tried Helldivers 2: the action game that parodies democracy and is the viral rage of 2024

There is video game sequels which cause a greater impact than the original titles. It doesn’t happen often, after all, but even less does it manage to become a viral phenomenon these days. So it happened and suddenly with Infernal Entertainers 2the third-person cooperative shooter that The season of exclusives for PlayStation 5 has opened and PC Steam in early 2024.

The power of memes that quickly went viral on Instagram and TikTok managed to reinforce two of their main attractions: tons of satirical humor and an open criticism of democracy.

Every image, ephemeral video or Reel is a wink among the players of this action title developed by the Swedish studio Arrowhead Game Studios. A shared humor that doesn’t just fuel word of moutharouses the attention of those who do not usually consume this type of game and its exponential sales –around 8 millionaccording to the Bloomberg agency – far exceeds Sony’s initial expectations.

Another hook lies in its connection to cinema, particularly the resemblance it maintains to Paul Verhooven’s classic science fiction film, Starship Troopers. In the video game you not only fight against an alien race of insects in an interplanetary war, but you also try support an apparent welfare state.

Helldivers 2: what it is and how to play

As in the original 2015 title, life flows peacefully on Super Earth, the congregation of all nations into one (after a great war) and governed by a single government system. -democracy- in a dystopian future.

On this planet all social needs are satisfied and freedoms are threatened only by a latent invasion of aliens of various types: Terminid (insects) and automata (Terminator-style robots). This time the Illuminate are not part of the sequel, although the latest rumors suggest that they will finally arrive as part of a future update.

To counter this potential conflict, Players will be tasked with taking on the role of elite soldiers known as “Helldivers”, citizens who decide of their own free will to be the armed wing of this particular version of Planet Earth.

Unlike the first adventure, the Swedish studio Arrowhead Game Studios leaves the top view aside give greater immersion to the player with a third-person viewwhich once fired can become a classic shooter.

Players can form parties of up to four players, others with a PlayStation 5 console or PC, to complete missions on randomly generated alien planets. The goal is the same: democratize them with all kinds of weapons and employing different combat skills and tactics.

The furious action unfolds from the first minute, on the intergalactic ship that serves as a base before launching into missions. From there you can choose the weapons, stratagems -extra aids that are enabled after a series of combinations with the joystick or keyboard- and even customize your armor and helmet. The success of the composition of our character It will make the difference between victory or failure on the battlefield.

Between mission tree available you can choose between: raising the flag, for beginners, recovering data, launching nuclear warheads on specific targets and even defending a specific interstellar bastion.

There are also many of them side missions to add experience points and hierarchy, which allows you to unlock benefits and where the goal is simply remove insect nests and communications towers to censor negative propaganda against Super Earth.

Once the planet and the equipment inside the interstellar ship have been chosen, the landing takes place via a capsule that falls like a missile aimed at the ground. From there on, survival will depend on coordination with your colleagues on duty. Even if you can Playing alone is not the best advisable experience.

Comedy is another element present in Helldivers 2. At various points in the game, phrases can appear on the intercom that usually trigger laughter in moments of maximum tension. “My leg! For the love of freedom, my leg!” OR “Another victory for the right side of history!” , These are some of many.

Helldivers 2 is not Fortnite, nor Call of Duty: it’s better

A constant in the gaming industry for several years is the monetization of this type of game known as “live service gaming”, the content of which remains valid beyond its launch, and of which you have to spend money to get rewards in the form of special and exclusive items.

Helldivers 2 manages to separate itself from what was established by Fortnite or the Call of Duty saga in recent times, since then it does not have a classic Battle Pass which is acquired in exchange for coins and expires with the change of season.

In this game You don’t have to pay to get rewards. Armor, weapons and the possibility of obtaining new stratagems are obtained free of charge.

In addition to its cooperative gameplay, it is also characterized by its Challenging difficulty ranging from “Failed” to “Impossible”. There are 8 levels in total that emphasize strategy and tactical coordination. Therefore, Helldivers 2 manages to become an intense and exciting experience for players looking for an increasingly challenging action title.

In short, the game from Arrowhead Game Studios is a satire of various current concepts of global politicssuch as the rebirth of the so-called “new right”. Furthermore, he raises questions about the true role of democracy and the role of government in protecting society.

At a certain point too questions the concept of “patriotism” in the soldiers who fight against aliens and are represented as heroes willing to sacrifice their lives for the good of humanity, without having much information about it.

And finally, like Starship Troopers, the game does not shy away from conflicts of interest between different groups within society. The player will be able to openly evaluate – between shots and bombs – who the real enemy really is and whether the society he has sworn to defend is really as fair as it appears.

But beyond any kind of dilemma, Helldivers 2 offers on all levels: action everywhere, a soundtrack that accompanies the experience and cooperative play to spend long hours of fun with friends.