Helldivers PS4 Review: Is It Still Worth Playing?

Hey guys! Let's dive (pun intended!) into a Helldivers PS4 review. This game dropped back in 2015, and it was all about cooperative, top-down shooting action. But the big question is: in today's world of gaming, does Helldivers still hold up? Is it worth grabbing your controller and joining the fight for Super Earth? Well, buckle up, because we're about to break it all down!

What is Helldivers?

Helldivers is a top-down shooter where you and up to three friends team up as, well, Helldivers. Your mission? To spread managed democracy across the galaxy by blasting hordes of alien enemies. Think Starship Troopers meets a twin-stick shooter, with a healthy dose of friendly fire thrown in for good measure. The gameplay loop revolves around selecting missions on a galactic map, dropping onto procedurally generated planets, completing objectives, and calling in extraction before you're overrun. What makes Helldivers truly shine is its reliance on cooperation. You'll need to coordinate your attacks, share resources, and revive fallen teammates if you want to survive. And trust me, you will fall. A lot.

Gameplay Mechanics

At the heart of Helldivers lies its unique Stratagem system. Stratagems are essentially your special abilities – everything from airstrikes and supply drops to defensive turrets and powerful weapons. To call in a Stratagem, you need to input a specific sequence of button presses, kind of like a Street Fighter combo but with life-or-death consequences. This adds a layer of strategic depth to the game, as you need to memorize the codes for your favorite Stratagems and be able to input them quickly under pressure. Choosing the right Stratagems for a particular mission is crucial, and experimenting with different combinations is part of the fun. But be warned: accidentally calling in an airstrike on your own position is a common and hilarious occurrence.

Friendly fire is always on in Helldivers, which means you can (and probably will) accidentally shoot your teammates. This might sound frustrating, but it's actually one of the game's greatest strengths. Friendly fire forces you to be careful with your aim, communicate effectively with your team, and be mindful of your surroundings. It also leads to some incredibly funny and memorable moments, like when you accidentally drop a supply pod on your friend's head or when you're caught in the blast radius of your own grenade. Helldivers is a game that embraces chaos, and the friendly fire mechanic is a big part of that.

The enemy variety in Helldivers is another highlight. You'll face three distinct alien races, each with its own unique strengths and weaknesses. The Bugs are insectoid creatures that swarm you in large numbers. The Cyborgs are heavily armored and equipped with powerful ranged weapons. And the Illuminate are technologically advanced aliens that can teleport and use psychic attacks. Learning how to fight each enemy type effectively is essential for survival. You'll need to adapt your tactics, experiment with different weapons and Stratagems, and work together with your team to overcome the challenges.

Graphics and Sound

Okay, so Helldivers isn't going to win any awards for its graphics. Even back in 2015, the visuals were fairly simple, and they haven't exactly aged like fine wine. The environments are a bit bland, and the character models are nothing to write home about. However, the game's art style is charming and effective, and the explosions and particle effects are still satisfying to watch. Plus, the simple graphics allow the game to run smoothly even when the screen is filled with enemies and explosions.

On the other hand, the sound design in Helldivers is top-notch. The weapons sound punchy and powerful, the alien creatures make terrifying noises, and the orchestral soundtrack is epic and inspiring. The sound effects really help to immerse you in the game world and make you feel like you're part of a desperate battle for survival. And the voice acting, while cheesy, is also hilarious and adds to the game's overall charm.

Performance on PS4

Helldivers runs surprisingly well on the original PS4. The game maintains a stable frame rate even during intense action sequences, and I didn't encounter any major glitches or bugs during my playthrough. Load times are also reasonably fast. However, it's worth noting that the game does support enhanced graphics and performance on the PS4 Pro. If you have a PS4 Pro, you'll be able to enjoy Helldivers with improved visuals and a smoother frame rate.

Is It Still Worth Playing?

So, after all this, is Helldivers still worth playing on the PS4 in [current year]? The answer is a resounding YES! Despite its somewhat dated graphics, the game's core gameplay is still incredibly fun and addictive. The cooperative action is intense and rewarding, the Stratagem system is unique and strategic, and the friendly fire mechanic leads to countless hilarious moments. Plus, the game is packed with content, including a wide variety of missions, enemies, weapons, and Stratagems.

Replayability

Helldivers has a ton of replayability. The procedurally generated levels ensure that each mission feels fresh and different, and the game's difficulty is highly customizable. You can adjust the difficulty level to suit your skill level, and you can also add modifiers to the missions to make them even more challenging. Plus, the game has a persistent galactic campaign, where you and other players work together to liberate planets and push back the alien forces. This gives you a sense of purpose and makes you feel like you're part of something bigger.

Community

The Helldivers community is still active and passionate, even years after the game's release. You can easily find other players to team up with online, and there are plenty of forums and communities where you can discuss the game and share tips and strategies. The Helldivers community is known for being friendly and helpful, so don't be afraid to ask for advice if you're new to the game.

Final Verdict

Helldivers is a fantastic cooperative shooter that's still worth playing on the PS4 in [current year]. Its unique gameplay mechanics, intense action, and hilarious friendly fire make it a truly memorable experience. If you're looking for a challenging and rewarding game to play with friends, Helldivers is definitely worth checking out. Just be prepared to die. A lot. But hey, that's part of the fun, right?

Pros:

• Addictive cooperative gameplay
• Unique Stratagem system
• Hilarious friendly fire
• High replayability
• Active community

Cons:

• Dated graphics

Overall Score: 9/10

So, what are you waiting for? Grab your controller, gather your friends, and dive into the chaotic world of Helldivers! Super Earth needs you!