What's the gameplay like in HELLDIVERS™ 2?

Helldivers 2 is a fast, chaotic cooperative third‑person shooter that foregrounds teamwork. You and up to three teammates form a squad and drop onto hostile planets via Hell Pods to complete objectives and exfiltrate. Friendly fire is always on, so communication and precise positioning are essential as you thread between enemies and coordinate stratagem calls. Your loadout blends a wide arsenal of weapons, armor, and Stratagems that you call in from the orbiting Super Destroyer using a directional‑code input rather than a traditional menu. The result is a tense, gamified dance of offense and support where every decision matters under constant pressure. PlayStation Blog hands‑on Game8 multiplayer guide

Operations are procedurally generated missions with escalating difficulty, played across 1–3 levels per run. Stratagems—orbital strikes, supply drops, deployable defenses—are the game’s core tools you preset before the drop and trigger during combat via a simple input method (L1 plus a directional code). The Ship hub acts as your strategic HQ: Ship Management and Mobilize menus let you unlock and upgrade Stratagems, customize armor, and boost team perks with Samples. Expect a sprint‑to‑exit rhythm as you clear nests, punch through enemy lines, and rely on precise teamwork to survive.

Helldivers 2 supports online co‑op for PS5 and PC with crossplay, and there is no local split‑screen option. You can team up with friends or join random players through Quick Play and SOS Beacons to fill squads of four. For players seeking more detail on matchmaking and cross‑platform play, see coverage from Den of Geek and related guides. Den of Geek multiplayer explained Helldivers 2 platforms overview