Upcoming Helldivers 2 update promises “experience shift” that downplays challenge

Arrowhead Game Studio’s creative director, Pilestedt, has given Helldivers 2 fans a little information on how the game’s next update is coming. He says that he’s been working closely with the team, testing the update all the time, and he’s had a good time with the experience shift.

Pilestedt posted his update on the Helldivers 2 Discord server, which was then reposted to the game’s subreddit. The key takeaway from what he’s said is that the update will take the game’s core experience back to feeling like Helldivers 2 did on day one, but without the server queues. It sounds like so much more than a simple fix to fire damage or a buff to the weapons that have seen a recent nerf. By prioritizing playfulness over challenge, of which there was always plenty in the game, I think the team could be onto a winner.

Take me back to the good old days

Pilestedt’s full post reads as follows. “So, a quick update: I have been working closely with the team to look at the game experience (balance mostly) with the team. We are confident in the update that we are creating that will see a significant meta shift and bring the game into a state where the playfulness takes the front seat and the challenge is secondary. I have had a good time with the experience shift, and it is closer to the original intent of the game and what it was at launch.”

I still really enjoy playing Helldivers 2. I’ll admit that the nerfs, particularly to fire damage, have noticeably hurt a lot of players and made some missions much more difficult to tackle. But I still love the universe and the fact that each Major Order sees the community band together for a common goal.

However, the spark that got me excited to launch Helldivers 2 every day hasn’t been as bright for months. The community used to work together to reclaim Procreation Permits for their brave Helldivers or save children instead of gunning for a new Stratagem.

More recently, though, players have not been as enthusiastic. I don’t know if taking the core experience back and making it feel like the title did at launch will fix anything, but the idea of Helldivers 2 being focused on playfulness over challenge sounds right.

When I drop into a mission, I want to have a challenge, sure. But I don’t want the challenge of battling bots or bugs to compromise how much fun I’m having. The best part of Helldivers 2 is the silly moments you can have with your friends or random players from around the world while fighting for managed democracy. If this new update can recapture that magic, then it’s on the right track.