Helldivers 2 has recently been at the center of controversy from the release date at February and then until this September. This seems to make Helldiver 2 like a game that is under the supervision of gamers due to their past actions.
The game really had roller-coaster reviews on Steam. When the game was released, it had a lot of positive reviews and succesfull milestone: 8 million sales and 458k players online on Steam.
But later, every decision and update from Arrowhead and Sony made the gamer turn the table. It started with the first epic battle between gamers and Sony regarding to the PSN-linking tragedy. After that, Helldiver 2 seems like a different game, and it impacted to the concurrent player-base drastically.
Following its latest major update, “Escalation of Freedom.” While the update introduced some exciting new content, including fresh mission objectives and formidable enemies, it also sparked a wave of backlash from the community due to unpopular balance changes and nerfs. As a result, the game’s reviews on Steam have plummeted to a “mostly negative” rating, reflecting the growing dissatisfaction among players.
A roller-coaster review, over and over again.
In response to the community’s feedback, Arrowhead committed to a 60-day improvement plan back in August, acknowledging that the update “didn’t hit its target.” The studio promised to address “some things we just didn’t get right” and to correct “more fundamental inconsistencies in their approach to game balance and game direction.” True to their word, Arrowhead has now detailed the first batch of balance changes and improvements set to roll out later this month. Below, we break down all the changes players can expect in the upcoming patch.
Initial Balance Changes: Refining Armour Penetration and Anti-Tank Weapons
Arrowhead’s first priority in its improvement plan is to refine and improve the overall player experience, starting with a major balance rework focusing on Armour Penetration, Anti-Tank weapons, and adjustments to enemy armour and health values. This initial rework will affect 30 weapons and stratagems, making these elements more effective and strategically viable.
The rebalancing aims to provide a more rewarding gameplay experience, where the proper use of weapons and tools will significantly impact the success of missions. Players can expect that enemy encounters will feel both challenging and fair, as the update is designed to ensure that enemies remain formidable but not overwhelmingly so.
Enemy Overhaul: Making Combat More Rewarding and Balanced
As part of the upcoming changes, Arrowhead is overhauling several enemies to enhance the combat experience. The studio has recognized that some enemies felt disproportionately powerful or tedious to engage, detracting from the intended flow of gameplay. To address this, the following adjustments will be implemented:
- Enemy Bots: These will receive a reduction in armour, making them less resilient and more manageable for players without compromising their role as a tactical threat on the battlefield.
- Devastator and Gunship: These powerful adversaries will have their ability to fire rockets limited, which is expected to reduce the overwhelming threat they currently pose. This change should balance the challenge they present, making encounters with these enemies more tactical and less frustrating.
- Charger, Impaler, and Bile Titan: Known for being particularly tough opponents, these bugs will see a reduction in their armour values. The change is intended to make encounters with these enemies less of a slog and more of a strategic challenge, rewarding players who utilize the right tools and tactics.
Weapon Buffs: Enhancing Loadout Versatility and Effectiveness
In response to player feedback, Arrowhead is also implementing buffs to several key weapons, including the Autocannon, Heavy Machine Gun, and Anti-Material Rifle. These changes are designed to increase their effectiveness, thus providing players with greater loadout versatility and strategic options during missions. Arrowhead has highlighted that these buffs are just the beginning, with further weapon adjustments likely as they continue to monitor player trends and gather feedback.
Additionally, the studio is actively working on improvements to flamethrowers. While the exact details are still under consideration, Arrowhead has stated that they are exploring new player fantasies and design goals for these weapons and stratagems. This approach indicates that the studio is committed to not only fixing immediate balance issues but also evolving the gameplay to better align with player expectations and preferences.
Opt-In Beta Test Environment: Enhancing Update Quality Through Player Feedback
To ensure the success of future updates, Arrowhead has reaffirmed its plans to expand the opt-in beta test environment for Helldivers 2. This initiative will allow the studio to conduct closed beta tests, which have already been underway for the past two weekends. By expanding this environment, Arrowhead aims to identify potential issues and missteps before updates are released to the broader player base.
This proactive approach reflects Arrowhead’s commitment to providing a better experience for all players, using community feedback to guide their development efforts. The studio has indicated that once the appropriate infrastructure is in place, the beta tests will be opened up to more players, providing additional opportunities for the community to contribute to the game’s ongoing improvement.
While the detailed balance changes are a significant part of Arrowhead’s 60-day plan, fans are eagerly speculating whether this month’s update might also introduce Helldivers 2’s long-anticipated third faction. Recent in-game sightings have fueled rumors of this new addition, and players are hopeful that the upcoming patch will reveal more. Arrowhead has yet to confirm these speculations, but with the update scheduled for September 17th, fans won’t have to wait much longer to find out.