Helldivers 2 Escalation of Freedom is the sport's greatest replace but

Six months after it rocketed to the highest of the gross sales charts, the PC and PS5 unique Helldivers 2 is to obtain its greatest replace but.

Sony and Arrowhead’s shooter, by which gamers rid farflung planets of bots and bugs, is including a brand new issue and new enemies as a part of its newest growth, Escalation of Freedom.

The replace can’t come shortly sufficient for the sport, which is at present grappling with a drop in participant numbers after its rip-roaring early success.

Regardless of promoting over 12 million copies, making it one of many greatest releases of the 12 months, a live-service recreation like Helldivers 2 lives and dies by its lively participant rely. At its peak, it had over 450,000 simultaneous gamers on Steam, however that quantity has now dwindled to 21,500. 

Can the brand new content material persuade estranged avid gamers to offer Helldivers 2 one other likelihood? Right here’s what we learn about Escalation of Freedom, together with its key options and all-important launch date.

The replace arrives on August 6. Usually, Arrowhead releases gameplay updates like Escalation of Freedom without spending a dime, whereas charging for premium Warbonds (new classes of things that may be bought with actual cash or unlocked with progress). 

Historically, most video games provide three issue settings (straightforward, regular and laborious), however the gloriously deranged Helldivers 2 has a whopping 9 choices to select from, every delivering extra larger and badder enemies (and sweeter loot that can be utilized to purchase higher weapons and perks).

These at present vary from Trivial to Helldive, with Suicide Mission in between, and can quickly embrace a tenth setting dubbed Tremendous Helldive, which is destined to be essentially the most demanding of all of them.   

Arrowhead describes it as “our most difficult, most relentless dive issue degree but”, designed “to offer gamers the depth they’re on the lookout for on the battlefield” together with “better rewards”.

Moreover, Arrowhead is promising to extend its mission sorts throughout all difficulties, and on ranges that includes bugs (Terminids) and droids (Automatons).

In an accompanying trailer (viewable above), the developer confirmed off a much bigger robot-manufacturing fortress that ought to give everybody the prospect to name in an air strike. There was additionally a clip of a cute, Demise Stranding-style mission to guard a child larva in a backpack.

As for the brand new enemies, it’s no shock to see that the majority of them hail from the Terminid clan. The large arachnids are arguably extra numerous and enjoyable to kill than the sport’s spiky droids.

Quickly, you’ll encounter three new forms of bugs, together with the heavily-armoured, tunnel-digging Impaler from the primary Helldivers recreation. There’s additionally a brand new Spore Charger, a variation on the marauding Charger that may shroud its location utilizing fog till it’s up shut.

Lastly, the Terminid Alpha Commander is a “supercharged” Brood Commander that’s “larger, meaner, and doesn’t hesitate to name in different bugs for backup”.

In the meantime, the Automatons are including an explosive Rocket Tank to their ranks, together with another “bot surprises” that Arrowhead is maintaining secret until launch.

If the bugs don’t kill you in Helldivers 2, a meteorite would possibly. Enemy-occupied planets characteristic a handful of environments and pure hazards, from distant moons rocked by tremors to lush jungles lashed by rain storms. 

Subsequent up, issues will get spooky, with gamers exploring misty swamps, shrouded by “blackened timber”, giving the enemy the aspect of shock. Arrowhead’s tip: “Preserve your flashlight useful, as visibility is proscribed and lightweight is essential.” 

Acid storms are additionally rising extra ominous, the corrosive droplets diminishing each participant and enemy armour.

Gameplay adjustments apart, the brand new replace might make “grief kicking” extra bearable. A tweak to moderation means the subsequent time somebody boots you from a group for fun, you’ll not go away empty-handed. 

As an alternative, you’ll be capable of decide up all objects earlier than extraction, with a notification pinging your former squad mates that you simply’ve been kicked however stored the group’s stash. In the meantime, you’ll spawn into a brand new session because the host. 

Arrowhead mentioned different high quality of life upgrades are additionally locked in, together with main fixes to the sport’s social menu designed to make taking part in with associates even simpler.