Helldivers 2 was a huge hit on PlayStation last year. It delivered not just adrenaline-fuelled action, but also gave players a cause to rally behind, fighting to save humanity and spread democracy across the galaxy. Fast forward a year and a half, and something once unthinkable has happened: the game has landed on Xbox, bringing a whole new wave of reinforcements to the fight.
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It’s worth noting that this is a much more complete title than it was at launch on PS5. A year and a half of updates, tweaks and new Warbonds have added plenty to the mix.
Established
The core gameplay remains the same: grab three mates, gear up, drop into some hellish warzone, kill everything that moves, and get out. That’s the simple version, but the loop is addictive and hard to put down.
From battling towering bugs to reducing robot factories to rubble, the moment-to-moment gameplay is relentless. Teamwork is key, using gear wisely and covering each other’s backs makes all the difference.
Xbox Done
Xbox players are jumping into a game already in full swing. There are three active warfronts, with Super Earth forces fighting tooth and nail against the Terminids (insectoid aliens), the Automatons (robotic warriors), and the Illuminate (a mysterious psychic race with advanced tech).
Each faction poses a unique challenge, and you’ll need to gear up accordingly, not all weapons work against every enemy. Missions have a main objective, plus side goals you’ll uncover while exploring.
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Every mission is procedurally generated, so no two drops are the same. Environmental effects like fog or cave systems add further variety.
Once you’re settled in, you’ll start unlocking Warbonds, the game’s version of a battle pass. These can be bought with Super Credits, earned in-game or via microtransactions.
Optional Grind
If you’re willing to grind and farm a bit, you can earn enough credits to unlock the Warbonds you want. Best of all, they never expire, so you can progress at your own pace.
Super Credits unlock the Warbond, but it’s medals found during missions that let you claim the rewards. You can’t just pay your way through you have to earn it. With over 15 Warbonds available, there’s plenty of content to dive into.
Team Bonding
If you’re playing with friends, it’s smart to coordinate your Warbonds. Unlocking different weapons and buffs helps the team more than everyone chasing the same gear.
The game throws a lot of unlocks at you, and figuring out what’s useful can be tricky. But the community has been welcoming and helpful, a real credit to the game.
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There’s a light-hearted tutorial that covers the basics, but it leaves gaps. Vehicle controls and mission types aren’t explained well, so a bit of guidance from others goes a long way.
Uncrossable
If you’re a PS5 player thinking of switching to Xbox, be aware there’s no cross-progression. You might be a top-tier general on PS5, but on Xbox, you’ll be starting from scratch. It’s not a deal-breaker, but it could sting for some.
The game runs well on Series X, though one of my teammates on Series S has had issues with crashes and instability. There are also plenty of minor bugs, not the Terminid kind. None are game-breaking, but it could use a patch or two.
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But when it all clicks, when you’re knee-deep in bugs or bots, calling in an airstrike as your dropship lands, it’s brilliant, chaotic fun. I can’t get enough of those “hero” moments.
From sniping a bug to save a teammate at a terminal, to holding off a swarm while your squad escapes before a hellbomb detonates, it’s just pure joy. Helldivers 2 was, is, and will continue to be a blast. Now that PS5 players have Xbox allies in the fight, it’s even better. A must-buy on both platforms, for Liberty and Super Earth.
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