The democracy-simulating action game that is the viral rage of 2024

there Video game sequels Which cause more impact than the original titles. By the way, this doesn't happen very often, but it rarely becomes a viral phenomenon these days. It happened suddenly Hell Divers 2a cooperative third-person shooter The PlayStation 5 exclusive season has opened And steam computers At the beginning of 2024.

The power of viral memes on Instagram and TikTok has managed to leverage two main attractions: Tons of sarcastic humor and open criticism of democracy.

Every photo, ephemeral video or reel is a wink among players of this action game developed by Swedish studio Arrowhead Game Studios. A piece of shared humor that doesn't just fuel word of moutharouses interest among those who do not usually consume this type of games and its huge sales –About 8 millionAccording to Bloomberg – far exceeds Sony's initial expectations.

Also interesting is its connection to cinema, especially with the similarity it retains to Paul Verhoeven's science fiction classic, Starship troopers. In the video game, not only do you have to fight an alien race of Bugs in an interplanetary war, you also have to try Maintaining the apparent welfare state.

As in the original 2015 title, life continues peacefully on Super Earth, with all nations gathered into one nation (after a great war) and governed by a single system of government. -democracy- In a dystopian future.

On this planet, all social needs are met, and freedoms are only threatened by a The lurking invasion of aliens of various kinds: Terminids (Bugs) and Automata (Terminator-style robots). This time, Illuminate is not part of the sequel, although the latest rumors suggest that it will finally arrive as part of a future update.

To confront this potential conflict, Players will be responsible for taking on the role of elite soldiers Known as “Helldivers”, citizens who decided of their own free will to be the armed wing of this particular version of planet Earth.

Unlike the first adventure, Swedish studio Arrowhead Game Studios leaves the top view aside It gives greater immersion to the player through the third-person perspectivewhich upon release could become a classic shooting game.

Players can form groups of up to four players, whether others have a PlayStation 5 console or PC, to complete missions on randomly generated alien planets. The goal is the same: Their democracy with all kinds of weapons And employ different combat skills and tactics.

Furious action happens from the first minute, board the intergalactic ship that serves as a base before setting off on missions. From there you can choose Weapons and tricks – Additional aids that are enabled after a series of combos using the joystick or keyboard – and even armor and helmet customization. Successful formation of our personality It will make the difference between victory or failure On the battlefield.

between Quest tree Available You can choose between: raising the flag, for starters, recovering data, launching nuclear warheads at specific targets and even defending a specific interstellar stronghold.

But there are many Secondary missions to add experience points and hierarchy, Which makes it possible to unlock advantages, and where the goal is simply Remove insect nests and communications towers to censor negative propaganda against Super Earth.

Once the planet and equipment inside the spaceship are selected, landing is done via a capsule that drops like a rocket directly to Earth. From here, survival will depend on coordination with your fellow service members. Although you can Playing alone is not the best experience and is recommended.

Comedy is another element present in Helldivers 2. At various points in the game, phrases may appear on the intercom that usually elicit laughter at moments of maximum tension. “My leg! For the love of freedom, my leg!” also “Another victory for the right side of history!” , They are some of many.

It has been established for several years in the gaming industry to monetize this type of game known as a “live service game”, the content of which remains valid after its launch, and which You have to spend money to get the rewards In the form of special and exclusive items.

Helldivers 2 manages to separate itself from what it was created by Epic Fortnite or Call of Duty Recently, since then Doesn't have a classic Battle Pass Which are obtained in exchange for coins and expire with the change of season.

In this game You don't have to pay to get the rewards. Armor, weapons and the possibility of obtaining new tricks It is obtained for free.

In addition to cooperative gameplay, it also features Hard difficulty ranges from “Thrown” to “Impossible”. There are 8 levels in total that focus on strategy and tactical coordination. And that's how Helldivers 2 managed to become An intense and exciting experience For players looking for an increasingly challenging action title.

In short, Arrowhead Game Studios is a game A satire of various current notions of world politicsSuch as the re-emergence of the so-called “New Right,” in addition to raising questions about the true role of democracy and the role of the government in protecting society.

At a certain point too Questions the concept of “nationalism” In the soldiers fighting the aliens they are represented as heroes who are willing to sacrifice their lives for the good of humanity, without having much information about it.

Finally, like Starship Troopers, the game does not escape conflicts of interest between different groups within the community. The player can openly consider – between bullets and bombs – who the real enemy really is and whether the society they are sworn to defend is truly as fair as it seems.

But aside from any kind of dilemma, Helldivers 2 delivers on all levels: action everywhere, an engaging soundtrack and cooperative gameplay for endless hours of entertainment with friends.

To note we tested Helldivers 2 on a PlayStation 5 console.