Helldivers 2 developer Arrowhead has acknowledged the game’s plummeting Steam user review rating by outlining plans for a patch that makes what it called “significant changes.”
The explosive third-person co-op shooter broke records when it launched on PC and PlayStation 5 earlier this year, becoming the fastest-selling PlayStation Studios game of all time. But Arrowhead has suffered a torrid time of late as it struggles to satisfy Helldivers 2’s fanbase, with recent months in particular resulting in a ‘mostly negative’ recent user review rating on Steam. Helldivers 2’s overall Steam user review rating remains ‘mostly positive.’
Most of the negativity revolves around a feeling that Arrowhead has been heavy handed in nerfing Helldivers 2’s various weapons and stratagems as it balances the game. The constant nerfs have caused some players to accuse Arrowhead of stripping all the fun out of Helldivers 2, a game that revolves around blowing alien bugs and robots to bits with over-the-top guns and bombs.
“We see the Steam reviews and we hear you loud and clear,” Arrowhead said in an update outlining the next stage of its 60-day plan to improve Helldivers 2. The developer’s goal, it said, is “to ensure that each weapon and stratagem feels powerful, responsive, and fun to use, while also fitting into the broader gameplay ecosystem.”
Here’s what to expect from Helldivers 2’s upcoming update, per Arrowhead:
- We are reworking Armor Penetration, Anti-Tank weapons and enemy armor and health values. As a key part of the rework we have done an initial balancing pass on over 30 weapons and stratagems.
- We are overhauling a number of different enemies to make them feel more rewarding to kill when you use the proper tools to handle them but ensure they still feel formidable. Enemy bots, including Hulks, will have lower armor, and the number of rockets fired by enemies like the Devastator and Gunship will be limited, making combat more balanced. The armor values of particularly tough bug enemies like the Charger, Impaler, and Bile Titan will also be reduced.
- Weapons such as the Autocannon, Heavy Machine Gun, and Anti-Material Rifle will be more effective, providing greater loadout versatility. We are also working towards additional improvements for the flamethrower weapons.
- We’re taking this opportunity to consider new player fantasies and design goals for these weapons and stratagems based on the feedback we’ve received and the trends we’re observing during gameplay.
The update that makes all these changes is due out on September 17. There’s no mention, however, of the addition of a new enemy faction. This week, fear that a new enemy will soon launch its attack against Super Earth emerged after a few players noticed strange behavior on the in-game Galactic War map. Where the circle layout usually only shows two factions – the Automatons and Terminids – and their progress as represented by red and orange colors, some saw a third, purple color, gaining ground. Reddit user Helldiver343 was one of the first to share their findings and posted a screenshot of the updated map before the changes “vanished.”
The image suggests that a third enemy, likely the Illuminate, will soon rear its head, but many were quick to write it off as a glitch, mistake, or even fake. Players then grew more suspicious when additional reports of purple map progress started to show up.
An in-game message suggested that Arrowhead was already very aware of player concerns. “Some Helldivers may have noticed a recent service outage in the Major Order Communication Display,” the message says. “The issue has since been resolved.”
Arrowhead continued, explaining that a Comms Technician got trapped in a server room and died due to “exposure,” resulting in “organic tissue degradation on electronic equipment.” Of course, the technician’s family has already been fined for damages, too.
Wesley is the UK News Editor for IGN. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can reach Wesley at wesley_yinpoole@ign.com or confidentially at wyp100@proton.me.