Helldivers PS4 Review: Is It Still Worth Playing?

Hey everyone! Today, we're diving deep (pun intended!) into Helldivers on the PS4. This top-down, twin-stick shooter took the gaming world by storm with its challenging gameplay, hilarious friendly fire, and addictive cooperative action. But, the big question is: Is Helldivers on the PS4 still worth your time and money in [current year]? Let’s break it down and see if this game still holds up.

What is Helldivers?

For those new to the galactic war, Helldivers puts you in the boots of an elite soldier tasked with spreading managed democracy across the universe. Think Starship Troopers meets a twin-stick shooter with a heavy emphasis on teamwork. The game is developed by Arrowhead Game Studios, known for their focus on cooperative gameplay and emergent storytelling. Helldivers is all about completing missions, unlocking new equipment, and liberating planets from various alien threats. What sets Helldivers apart is its unforgiving difficulty and the ever-present threat of friendly fire. Seriously, you’ll probably accidentally kill your teammates more often than you’d like to admit, but that’s part of the charm! The game's core loop revolves around selecting missions on a galactic map, deploying with up to three other players, completing objectives, and extracting safely. The objectives range from eliminating enemy nests and escorting survivors to activating defense systems and retrieving valuable data. Each mission is procedurally generated, ensuring a fresh and unpredictable experience every time you drop in. The strategic use of stratagems—special abilities that can be called in during missions—is crucial for success. These stratagems include everything from airstrikes and supply drops to defensive turrets and powerful weapons. Mastering the timing and coordination of stratagems is key to overcoming the game's many challenges. Helldivers isn't just about shooting aliens; it's about strategic thinking, teamwork, and adapting to ever-changing circumstances. The game's difficulty is legendary, and even experienced players can find themselves overwhelmed by the sheer number of enemies and the constant threat of friendly fire. This challenge is what makes Helldivers so rewarding. Overcoming seemingly impossible odds with a well-coordinated team is an incredibly satisfying experience. The game also features a persistent galactic campaign, where players collectively work together to liberate planets and push back against the alien threats. This meta-game adds an extra layer of engagement, as players feel like they are contributing to a larger cause. The community aspect of Helldivers is one of its greatest strengths, with players regularly organizing missions and sharing strategies online. Whether you're a seasoned veteran or a newcomer to the game, the Helldivers community is always welcoming and eager to help. The game's sense of humor is also a major draw, with its satirical take on militarism and democracy providing plenty of laughs. The over-the-top violence and absurd situations add to the game's charm, making it a truly unique and memorable experience. In conclusion, Helldivers is a challenging, rewarding, and hilarious cooperative shooter that has stood the test of time. Its unique blend of strategic gameplay, teamwork, and dark humor makes it a must-play for fans of the genre. And, with its active community and ongoing support from the developers, Helldivers continues to be a vibrant and engaging gaming experience. So, grab your friends, gear up, and get ready to spread some managed democracy across the galaxy! Just try not to accidentally blow each other up too much.

Gameplay: Still Super Earthly?

The gameplay in Helldivers is as tight and engaging as ever. The twin-stick shooting feels responsive, and the variety of weapons and stratagems keeps things interesting. Whether you’re calling in an airstrike or mowing down bugs with a machine gun, the combat is always satisfying. The difficulty, however, remains a significant factor. This isn't a game you can breeze through solo. Teamwork is essential, and coordinating with your squad is the key to survival. Friendly fire is always on, adding a layer of hilarity and tension to every firefight. One wrong move and you could accidentally wipe out your entire team with a misplaced grenade or orbital strike. Despite the challenge, Helldivers is incredibly rewarding. Overcoming difficult missions with a well-coordinated team is a uniquely satisfying experience. The game's progression system is also well-designed, with players unlocking new weapons, stratagems, and cosmetic items as they level up. This constant stream of rewards keeps players motivated and encourages them to experiment with different loadouts and playstyles. The stratagem system is a particular highlight, allowing players to call in a variety of support options, from defensive turrets and supply drops to powerful offensive abilities. Mastering the timing and coordination of stratagems is crucial for success, and experimenting with different combinations is part of the fun. The game also features a diverse range of enemies, each with its own unique behaviors and weaknesses. From the hordes of mindless bugs to the heavily armored cyborgs and the psionic Illuminate, players will need to adapt their tactics to survive. Learning the enemy attack patterns and exploiting their vulnerabilities is essential for success, and teamwork is key to coordinating effective strategies. Helldivers is a game that rewards skill and coordination, and players who are willing to put in the effort will find a deep and rewarding gameplay experience. The game's difficulty may be off-putting to some, but for those who enjoy a challenge, Helldivers is a must-play. The constant threat of friendly fire and the ever-present danger of being overwhelmed by enemies create a sense of tension and excitement that is unmatched in other cooperative shooters. And, with its active community and ongoing support from the developers, Helldivers continues to be a vibrant and engaging gaming experience.

Graphics and Performance: How Does It Look on PS4?

Graphically, Helldivers on the PS4 is showing its age, but it still looks decent. The top-down perspective helps to mask some of the lower-resolution textures, and the particle effects are still impressive. Performance-wise, the game runs smoothly for the most part, but there can be occasional frame rate dips during intense firefights. While it may not be the prettiest game on the PS4, Helldivers is still visually appealing. The game's art style is distinctive, with its gritty, war-torn environments and its over-the-top character designs. The attention to detail in the environments is impressive, with destructible objects and dynamic lighting adding to the atmosphere. The game's sound design is also top-notch, with its immersive sound effects and its pulse-pounding soundtrack. The roar of explosions, the chatter of gunfire, and the screech of alien creatures all contribute to the game's sense of immersion. The game's performance is generally solid, but there can be occasional frame rate drops during intense firefights. These frame rate drops can be particularly noticeable when playing with multiple players and when there are a lot of enemies on screen. However, these performance issues are relatively minor and do not detract significantly from the overall gameplay experience. The game's graphics may not be cutting-edge, but they are still visually appealing and contribute to the game's overall atmosphere. The game's art style is distinctive, with its gritty, war-torn environments and its over-the-top character designs. The attention to detail in the environments is impressive, with destructible objects and dynamic lighting adding to the atmosphere. The game's sound design is also top-notch, with its immersive sound effects and its pulse-pounding soundtrack. The roar of explosions, the chatter of gunfire, and the screech of alien creatures all contribute to the game's sense of immersion. Overall, Helldivers on the PS4 is a visually appealing and well-performing game that holds up well despite its age. The game's distinctive art style, immersive sound design, and solid performance make it a joy to play, even on older hardware. And, with its active community and ongoing support from the developers, Helldivers continues to be a vibrant and engaging gaming experience.

Is It Worth Buying in [current year]?

So, should you buy Helldivers on the PS4 in [current year]? Absolutely! The gameplay is still fantastic, the community is active, and the challenge is as rewarding as ever. Plus, the game is often available at a discounted price, making it an even better value. If you’re looking for a cooperative shooter that will test your skills and provide countless hours of fun, Helldivers is a must-have. The game's unique blend of strategic gameplay, teamwork, and dark humor makes it a must-play for fans of the genre. And, with its active community and ongoing support from the developers, Helldivers continues to be a vibrant and engaging gaming experience. The game's difficulty may be off-putting to some, but for those who enjoy a challenge, Helldivers is a must-play. The constant threat of friendly fire and the ever-present danger of being overwhelmed by enemies create a sense of tension and excitement that is unmatched in other cooperative shooters. Helldivers isn't just a game; it's an experience. It's about the thrill of victory, the agony of defeat, and the camaraderie of playing with friends. It's about laughing at your mistakes, learning from your failures, and celebrating your successes. It's about spreading managed democracy across the galaxy, one bug at a time. So, if you're looking for a game that will challenge you, entertain you, and bring you closer to your friends, look no further than Helldivers. It's a true gem of the cooperative shooter genre, and it's still worth playing in [current year]!

Final Verdict

Helldivers on the PS4 remains a fantastic and highly addictive cooperative shooter. Its challenging gameplay, active community, and affordable price make it a worthwhile purchase for anyone looking for a unique and rewarding gaming experience. So grab your friends, dive in, and prepare to liberate some planets! Just remember to watch out for friendly fire!