Last year, Helldivers 2 hit the scene, and it really shook up the industry. Developer Arrowhead Game Studios is a much smaller team than a lot of the heavy-hitters that also released games last year, but the humble studio proved itself as a worthy competitor. Helldivers 2 has amassed an impressive following, and its fun approach to the live-service multiplayer formula is partially to thank.
However, there is a small bump in Helldivers 2‘s road that will hopefully be addressed eventually in the future. Right now, Helldivers 2 is a fully online experience, so if the game wants to live on, adding an offline mode may be necessary. Helldivers 2 is a big hit now, but as time passes, the game’s hold on the industry may begin to erode, and that could hurt its longevity in its current online-only state.
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Helldivers 2: The Case for a Brand New Galaxy
Arrowhead Game Studios has the opportunity to open up another galaxy for Helldivers 2 players to enjoy, and it may be a move worth looking into.
For the Sake of its Players, Helldivers 2 Should Add Offline Mode Down the Road
Helldivers 2 is one of the most successful multiplayer games at the moment. The sci-fi-heavy third-person shooter may not be raking in the same numbers as Fortnite or Call of Duty, but it has managed to keep devoted players coming back for more with each new update and Major Order. Also, the fact that failed Major Orders can have some seriously dire consequences really gives players an incentive to return to the battlefield and fight for Super Earth. However, as great as Helldivers 2 is, the day will eventually come where its player counts will likely begin dwindling, or even worse, the servers may shut down.
Helldivers 2 added its first new faction, the Illuminate, in December of last year. There have also been theories that a human rebel faction could be a fourth enemy type, but this has yet to be confirmed.
Arrowhead Game Studios is Hopefully Planning for the Future
Online gaming is very much the norm now, but it can also ultimately hurt a game’s staying power. There have been a number of games that get shut down, never to be played again. From the failure of Concord to the original version of Overwatch being left behind, many games have been taken offline, making them ghosts of what they once were.
Unfortunately, Helldivers 2 is bound to eventually meet the same fate. Strong player numbers can only last so long, and Arrowhead Game Studios only has so many tricks up its sleeve before there are no more surprises left. There’s no way to know what Helldivers 2 holds in store right now, but as the years move on, it won’t be surprising if things start to get predictable.
Helldivers 2 is a big hit now, but as time passes, the game’s hold on the industry may begin to erode.
Arrowhead Game Studios CEO Shams Jorjani recently stated, “The game is in flux, and we like not knowing what will happen next.”
An Offline Mode Will Only Expand Helldivers 2’s Player-First Mentality
- Arrowhead Game Studios has handled the live-service formula well, putting a player’s experience ahead of microtransactions.
- Helldivers 2 has built a strong community that deserves to continue in some way.
Preserving matchmaking with friends is hopefully possible, but this remains to be seen. Helldivers 2‘s replayability is its biggest asset at the moment, but there are other games on the horizon that could eventually overshadow the fight for Super Earth. Online play is definitely currently at the heart of the Helldivers 2 experience, but Arrowhead Game Studios is also hopefully prepared to evolve when the time calls for it.
As of now, Helldivers 2 continues to entertain, and that’s wonderful. There’s no way to know what the future holds, but for the sake of Helldivers 2 lovers, eventually getting an offline version may be the key to preserving the game long after its time has passed.
Helldivers 2
9/10
- Released
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February 8, 2024
- ESRB
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M For Mature 17+ Due To Blood and Gore, Intense Violence
- Developer(s)
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Arrowhead Game Studios
- Engine
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bitsquid
Comments
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