Helldivers 2 is a team-based, tactical PvE shooter, inspired by Starship Troopers, where players are following the orders of Super Earth, their glorious governing body, as they seek to clear the galaxy of the robotic Automaton and insect-like Terminid threats. The gameplay is explosive and gritty, while taking place on beautiful landscapes riddled with side objectives and loot to find as they spread hellfire to any enemy in their path. What makes this game a step above the rest, however, is the detail put into the audio used for both creating a believable ecosystem and battlefield, and adding many comedic moments within a mission.
The game is full of patriotic and pride inducing soundtracks that are meant to pump up the player to head straight into battle before they are blown to smithereens. When loading into the game, when entering the drop pod before a mission starts, while players descend onto the battlefield, and as they escape with their lives; each moment is meant to inspire and convey a sense of democracy.
The environment is full of blowing winds, falling meteors, sandstorms, tornadoes, explosions from cannons, lasers flying past one’s face, bugs scrambling out from the ground, and many other sorts of hellish encounters that all have the audio to back them up and feel real. Whenever the player dives out into the fray, they may feel as though it’s really happening.
The player’s characters themselves are often heard spouting a war cry or claiming their pride fighting for Super Earth as the player is mowing down enemies. The foes in the world can also be heard chanting a marching tune in the distance, adding a sense of dread considering this may be a hill the player dies on.
The functionality of the game also adds a satisfying clicking whenever the player must call in one of their many ‘stratagems;’ the abilities they can use to bring in equipment or drop a missile onto a target. They must be careful though because getting to close to the explosion may leave their character screaming “My leg!”
This game incorporates a high level of detail for its environment and enemies, as well as the players themselves along with the equipment they have at their disposal. The soundtrack is well polished and meant to immerse the player in an environment that is very different from their own. The music inspires patriotism and pride, and it encourages the player to be a true Helldiver.