Info about HELLDIVERS™ 2:

Official game description:
Digital Deluxe Edition
======================
Edition includes:
*   ‘DP-53 Savior of the Free’ Armor Set.
*   ‘Will of the People’ Cape.
*   ‘MP-98 Knight’ Weapon.
*   Super Citizen Status.
*   Stratagem Hero Ship Game.
*   Premium Warbond Token.
About the Game
==============
The Galaxy’s Last Line of Offence.  
Enlist in the Helldivers and join the fight for freedom across a hostile galaxy in a fast, frantic, and ferocious third-person shooter.  
URGENT BROADCAST – SUPER EARTH ARMED FORCES
-------------------------------------------
Freedom. Peace. Democracy.  
Your Super Earth-born rights. The key pillars of our civilization.  
Of our very existence.  
But the war rages on. And everything is once again under threat.  
Join the greatest military force the galaxy has ever seen and make this a safe and free place to live.  
BECOME A LEGEND
---------------
You will be assembled into squads of up to four Helldivers and assigned strategic missions.  
Watch each other’s back – friendly fire is an unfortunate certainty of war, but victory without teamwork is impossible.  
LOADOUTS
--------
Rain down freedom from above, sneak through enemy territory, or grit your teeth and charge head-first into the jaws of combat.  
How you deliver liberty is your choice; you’ll have access to a wide array of explosive firepower, life-saving armor and battle-changing stratagems… the jewel in every Helldiver’s arsenal.  
REQUISITION
-----------
Super Earth recognises your hard work with valuable Requisition. Use it to access different rewards that benefit you, your squad, your destroyer ship and our overall war effort.  
THREATS
-------
Everything on every planet wants you dead. That’s what we’re dealing with.  
Each enemy has distinct and unpredictable characteristics, tactics, and behavior – but they all fight ferociously and without fear or morality.  
THE GALACTIC WAR
----------------
Capturing enemy planets, defending against invasions, and completing missions will contribute to our overall effort.  
This war will be won or lost depending on the actions of everyone involved.  
We stand together, or we fall apart.

Release date: Feb 8, 2024

Categories: Third-Person Shooter, Cooperative Multiplayer, Horde Shooter, Character Progression, Weapon Customization, Tactical Combat, Team-based Combat, Mission-based Gameplay

Feature scans:
- MTX: score 70; verdict: Aggressive Monetization; summary: The game has a mixed reception regarding its monetization and gameplay mechanics. While some players appreciate the ability to earn premium currency through gameplay, many are frustrated with the amount of content locked behind paywalls, the grind required to unlock items, and concerns about the game being pay-to-win. The presence of bugs and the necessity to spend premium currency for progression also detract from the overall experience.
- Mods: score 40; verdict: Moderate Reliance on Mods; summary: The analysis of user feedback reveals a significant reliance on community fixes and mods to enhance and stabilize the game. Users frequently mention the need for community patches to address balance issues and improve gameplay. Additionally, specific mods are recommended to overhaul the game experience. Stability issues, such as crashes and bugs, are also highlighted, suggesting that mods are often necessary to maintain a smooth gaming experience.
- Wiki: score 100; verdict: Critical Dependency on External Data; summary: The analysis of user feedback reveals significant issues related to the dependency on external data sources (wikis) for understanding game mechanics, changes, and navigating the game. The primary concerns fall into the categories of 'The Grinder,' 'The Student,' and 'The Tourist,' indicating high severity problems that affect the user experience. The need for external data to farm resources, learn complex mechanics, and navigate the game effectively are the most impactful themes.
- Proton/Linux: score 60; verdict: Tinkering Required; summary: The game has significant issues with its kernel-level anti-cheat system, which poses risks to user hardware and affects gameplay. Linux compatibility is a major concern, with many users reporting that the game no longer works on Linux after recent updates. Proton compatibility is mixed, with some users experiencing smooth gameplay while others face bugs and performance issues. Crashes and the need for workarounds are also common, indicating that the game often requires additional steps to run properly on Linux.
- Steam Deck: score 100; verdict: Critical Issues with Anti-Cheat; summary: The analysis of user feedback reveals significant concerns regarding the anti-cheat system in the game. Users are experiencing hardware damage, including bricked PCs and damaged power supplies, due to the invasive anti-cheat software. The kernel-level anti-cheat is seen as unnecessary and invasive for a PVE game, causing more problems than it solves. Additionally, the game is causing significant stress on hardware, leading to potential damage and overheating issues. The anti-cheat system is also preventing the game from launching for some users, causing frustration and concern.

- Hardware Profile:
  - Summary: Performance varies significantly across different hardware cohorts, with higher-end systems generally reporting smoother gameplay but still encountering issues like crashes and optimization problems. Lower-end systems struggle more with stability and performance, particularly on Linux/Proton setups.
  - Sample size: 3826 (2% coverage)
  - Audience skew: Review sample is mostly Windows-based.
  - Windows 12-15GB VRAM (mixed, 961 reports): Mostly positive experiences with some reports of crashes and freezes.
  - Windows <8GB VRAM / <16GB RAM (negative, 823 reports): Frequent reports of crashes, freezes, and poor optimization.
  - Windows 8-11GB VRAM (mixed, 790 reports): Mixed reports with some users experiencing smooth gameplay while others report crashes and performance issues.
  - Windows <8GB VRAM / 16-31GB RAM (mixed, 719 reports): Some users report smooth gameplay, while others experience crashes and performance issues.
  - Windows 16GB+ VRAM / 32GB+ RAM (negative, 151 reports): Reports of poor performance and crashes despite high-end hardware.
  - Windows 16GB+ VRAM / 16-31GB RAM (mixed, 129 reports): Mixed experiences with some users reporting good performance and others facing crashes and optimization issues.
  - Caveats: 3826 of 154737 reviews expose hardware metadata.; Review sample is mostly Windows-based.
Feature extractions:
- Community Price:
  - Community fair range: $20.00 - $30.00
  - Reasoning: The majority of the reviews indicate that the game is not worth its full price due to various issues such as bugs, crashes, and the need for frequent purchases of in-game content. Many users suggest waiting for a sale or discount before buying the game.
- Playtime Metrics:
  - Game completion: 200.0h
  - Story completion: N/A
  - Session length: 3.0h
  - Endgame: N/A
  - Reasoning: The evidence shows a range of playtime metrics. The first quote indicates a total playtime of 200 hours, which can be considered a typical total time to finish the game for a dedicated player. The second quote mentions 600+ hours, which is an outlier and likely represents an extreme case rather than a typical playtime. The third quote suggests that the game can hook players quickly, implying that sessions can last for several hours, especially when playing cooperatively. The fourth quote indicates that the game has high replayability, suggesting that players can spend hundreds of hours engaged with the content.
- Time-to-fun:
  - Summary: The game is widely regarded as fun and enjoyable, especially when played with friends, emphasizing teamwork and communication.
  - Stance: Fun immediately
  - Anchor: Playing with friends
  - Time to anchor: 0h 0m
  - Friction: Technical issues and bugs; Repetitive mission structure; Balancing issues; Lack of meaningful progression or content; Grinding for in-game currency; Friendly fire causing frustration
  - Unlock drivers: Playing with friends; Effective teamwork and communication; Engaging in chaotic and memorable sessions; Coordinated missions with friends
  - Conditions: Playing with friends; Effective communication and teamwork; Coordinated missions; Chaotic and memorable gameplay sessions
- Player Archetypes:
  - Chaos Co-op Enthusiast (buy)
    - Motivation: Entertainment and humor in cooperative gameplay
    - Playstyle: Enjoys chaotic and humorous co-op experiences, often leading to tense and rewarding moments.
    - Experience: mixed
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: Co-op lover; Humor seeker
    - Reference games: Deep Rock Galactic; Left 4 Dead
  - Grind-Loving Community Veteran (buy)
    - Motivation: Progression and community involvement
    - Playstyle: Focuses on grinding for progression and staying updated with new content, often playing with a squad.
    - Experience: veteran
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: Grinder; Community player
    - Reference games: Warframe; Destiny 2
  - Challenge-Seeking Solo Player (sale)
    - Motivation: Overcoming challenges and mastering the game
    - Playstyle: Enjoys tackling the game's steep learning curve and high difficulty levels, often playing solo.
    - Experience: familiar
    - Purchase stance: sale
    - Labels: Solo player; Challenge seeker
    - Reference games: Dark Souls; Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice


Below are summaries of things people say about the game per category.
Each point is assigned a weight that represents how often it is mentioned across all reviews.
What players like:
- Enjoyable and fun gameplay (weight 0.28): The game is widely praised for its enjoyable and fun gameplay. Players find it engaging, smooth, and generally fun to play.
- Variety in enemies and missions (weight 0.11): The game offers a diverse range of enemy types and missions, which keeps the gameplay experience fresh and interesting.
- Initial enjoyment and love for the game (weight 0.1): Many players express that they loved the game at first and enjoyed it initially, indicating a strong initial appeal.
- Variety of weapons and strategies (weight 0.1): The game offers a wide variety of weapons and strategies, which enhances the gameplay experience and keeps it fresh.
- Impressive graphics and animations (weight 0.09): The game is praised for its beautiful animations, graphics, and visual details, making it visually impressive.
- Engaging community interactions (weight 0.07): Players appreciate the community interactions and engagement, noting a friendly and welcoming community.
- Unique stratagem system (weight 0.06): The stratagem system is highlighted as a unique and fun aspect of the game, adding tactical depth and variety.
- Immersive sound design (weight 0.06): The game's sound design is praised for enhancing immersion and adding to the overall experience.
- Unique and interesting game concept (weight 0.04): The game's concept and setting are described as interesting and unique, adding to its appeal.
- Large amount of content (weight 0.03): The game is noted for offering a substantial amount of content, providing players with plenty to do.
- Importance of teamwork (weight 0.03): Teamwork is highlighted as an important aspect of the game, encouraging collaboration among players.

Common complaints:
- Game plagued by bugs (weight 0.23): Players report a high frequency of game-breaking bugs, crashes, and various minor bugs that significantly impact gameplay. These issues have persisted over time and are a major source of frustration.
- Developers ignoring feedback (weight 0.21): The community feels that developers are not responsive to player feedback and suggestions. This lack of communication and action on reported issues has led to significant player dissatisfaction.
- Balancing issues (weight 0.21): The game suffers from poor balancing, making it unfair and less enjoyable. This includes unbalanced enemies, weapons, and overall game mechanics.
- Performance issues (weight 0.13): The game has significant performance issues, including frequent crashes, poor optimization, and stuttering. These problems affect the overall gaming experience negatively.
- Warbond problems (weight 0.08): Players are dissatisfied with the Warbond system, citing issues such as high costs, lack of meaningful content, and poor value for money. These problems make Warbonds feel underwhelming and not viable.
- Fast and overpowered enemies (weight 0.07): Enemies are perceived as too fast, smart, and durable, making the game overly difficult and unfair. This includes issues with enemy spawning and collision.
- Toxic community (weight 0.07): The game's community is described as toxic, with frequent drama and negative interactions. This toxicity detracts from the overall enjoyment of the game.
- Lack of customization (weight 0.06): Players feel that the game lacks meaningful customization options for vehicles, armors, and weapons. This limitation affects the depth and enjoyment of the game.
- Stealth nerfs and undocumented changes (weight 0.06): Developers are criticized for implementing stealth nerfs and undocumented changes, which players find frustrating and dishonest. These changes often negatively impact gameplay without clear communication.
- Weak and unreliable weapons (weight 0.05): Weapons in the game are often perceived as underpowered, inaccurate, and unreliable. This issue affects the overall combat experience and player satisfaction.

Gameplay feedback:
- Engaging Progression System (weight 0.15): The game features a comprehensive progression system that includes levels, stratagems, and warbonds, allowing players to customize their characters and weapons. This system is engaging and encourages grinding to unlock new gear.
- Cooperative Gameplay Mechanics (weight 0.14): The game offers robust cooperative gameplay mechanics, allowing players to team up with friends and the community to tackle various missions and enemies. This includes both solo and cooperative mission gameplay.
- Stratagem and Weapon Customization (weight 0.13): Players can use a variety of stratagems and weapons to complete missions. The game features a stratagem simulator and different loadouts, adding depth to the gameplay.
- Variety of Enemy Types (weight 0.13): The game includes various enemy types with unique behaviors and abilities. Enemies have specific weak points and behaviors, requiring strategic targeting and different approaches.
- Difficulty Levels and Balancing (weight 0.1): The game offers a variety of difficulty levels and modifiers, catering to different player skills. However, there are some balance issues and stability concerns that need addressing.
- Regular Game Updates (weight 0.07): The game receives regular updates, including balancing updates and gameplay changes. These updates are often player-centric and address community feedback.
- Mission Variety and Playstyles (weight 0.05): Players can choose different playstyles and approaches to missions, which involve team play and combat. The game offers a variety of mission-based objectives.
- Developer Communication (weight 0.04): The developers maintain communication with the player base, providing updates and patch notes. This helps in addressing community feedback and concerns.
- Horde Shooter Mechanics (weight 0.04): The game features horde shooter mechanics, combining tactical gameplay with third-person shooter elements. This includes facing waves of enemies and using various strategies to survive.
- Faction-Specific Mechanics (weight 0.04): The game includes faction-specific missions and enemies, each with unique mechanics and behaviors. This adds variety and requires different strategies for each faction.
- Vox Engine Mechanics (weight 0.04): Vox engines in the game have heavy armor, weak spots, and can fire missiles and machine guns. This requires players to adapt their strategies when facing these enemies.

Performance notes:
- Network and connectivity problems (weight 0.21): The game has various network-related issues, including disconnections, desync problems, and crashes related to internet connectivity. These issues affect multiplayer and online gameplay.
- Sound and audio issues (weight 0.16): The game has several sound-related problems, including audio malfunctions and stuttering audio. These issues detract from the immersive experience of the game.

Recommendations:
- Balance adjustments needed (weight 0.09): Several balance adjustments are suggested, including decreasing the stagger resistance, durability, and HP of war striders, as well as adjusting the movement and turning speed of vox engines.
- Wait for sale to buy (weight 0.06): Players suggest waiting for a sale before purchasing the game to get better value for money.
- Recommended for group play (weight 0.03): The game is highly recommended for playing with friends or in a group setting, enhancing the overall experience.
- Action against toxicity needed (weight 0.02): Players urge the developers to take action against toxic behavior in the game community.
- Recommended for lore enthusiasts (weight 0.01): The game is recommended for those who enjoy the lore and the war within the game's universe.
- Add team missions in open space (weight 0.01): Suggestion to add a system for going into open space with a team for various missions.
- More content needed (weight 0.01): Players request the addition of more enemies and content to enhance the gameplay experience.
- Improve performance on lower-end PCs (weight 0.01): There is a need for better performance optimization for lower-end PCs to make the game more accessible.
- Positive sentiment towards future play (weight 0.01): Some players express a positive sentiment about playing the game again in the future.
- Request for pilot warbond (weight 0.01): Players request the addition of a pilot warbond feature.
- Ability to rearm and repair (weight 0.01): Suggestion to add the ability to rearm and repair vehicles during gameplay.
- Hardware investment suggestion (weight 0.01): Suggestion for players to consider investing in better hardware for an improved gaming experience.
- Cheaper purchase option (weight 0.01): Mention of Instant Gaming as a cheaper option for purchasing the game.

Other player notes:
- Unix-based OS compatibility resolved (weight 0.02): A recent Proton hot fix has addressed compatibility issues for Unix-based operating systems. This update ensures that users on these platforms can now enjoy the game without previous technical difficulties.
- Potential review manipulation (weight 0.01): Some reviews suggest there may be manipulation or bias affecting the review scores. This could be due to various external factors not directly related to the game itself.

Emotions:
- Frustration (weight 0.46): Players are frustrated primarily due to balancing issues, frequent bugs, and developer actions. The developers are often criticized for focusing on monetization and Warbonds instead of addressing critical gameplay issues, such as crashes, unbalanced enemy mechanics, and lack of communication with the community.
- Disappointment (weight 0.26): Disappointment stems from the developers' focus on monetization over gameplay improvements and lack of proper testing and updates. Players also express disappointment with the game's direction, community management, and the overall state of the game compared to its initial fun and potential.
- Anger (weight 0.09): Anger is mainly directed towards developer practices, including poor enemy design, unbalanced difficulty, and mishandling of community incidents. Players are also angry about the toxic community, excessive grinding, and the developers' lack of response to feedback and issues.
- Enjoyment (weight 0.05): Despite the game's flaws, players enjoy the fun gameplay loop, satisfying enemy designs, and unique cooperative experiences. The game's atmosphere, dynamic plot, and cooperative gameplay are also highlighted as sources of enjoyment.
- Excitement (weight 0.03): Players are excited about the chaotic and engaging gameplay, anticipation of new content, and the game's updates. The intense and immersive gameplay experiences, along with the effective use of strategems, contribute to this excitement.
- Nostalgia (weight 0.01): Nostalgia is evoked through comparisons to other games like Destiny 2 and memories of past gameplay experiences. The game revives memories of films like Starship Troopers, creating a sense of longing for how the game used to be.
- Enthusiasm (weight 0.01): Enthusiasm is driven by the dynamic and cinematic gameplay, as well as the overall engaging and fun gameplay experiences. Players are enthusiastic about the game and its community.
- Joy (weight 0.01): Joy comes from positive gaming experiences, fun cooperative gameplay, and humorous situations. The military pathos and over-the-top elements, along with the enjoyment of fighting new enemies, contribute to this joy.
- Frustrated (weight 0.01): Players are frustrated with the game's bugs, community issues, and developer actions. The lack of communication and response from developers to these issues adds to the frustration.
- Love (weight 0.01): Players express love for the game itself, its strengths, and the memories associated with it. The enjoyment of the game and its community also contributes to this love.
- Satisfaction (weight 0.01): Satisfaction is derived from the game being overall fun to play and worth the price. Players also appreciate the game's atmosphere, graphics, and performance improvements.
- Angry (weight 0.01): Players are angry about the toxic community, lack of communication from developers, and balance issues. The lack of endgame content and the developers' focus on monetization also contribute to this anger.
- Fear (weight 0.01): Fear is related to team dynamics and potential hardware damage. Players are concerned about the impact of the game on their hardware and the dynamics within their teams.
- Boredom (weight 0.01): Boredom sets in due to repetitive combat patterns and monotonous gameplay. Players find the gameplay becoming repetitive and boring over time.
- Amusement (weight 0): Amusement is found in humorous situations, such as grenades bouncing off enemies and blowing up the player. The game's humor and cooperative gameplay are highly entertaining for players.
- Disappointed (weight 0): Players are disappointed with the lack of urgency and clarity from the developers. The game's decline and the developers' actions contribute to this disappointment.
- Nostalgic (weight 0): Nostalgia is felt when recalling the game's initial success and community events. Players talk about memorable moments and stories from the game, evoking a sense of nostalgia.
- Hope (weight 0): Hope is inspired by positive feedback on recent updates. Players are hopeful about the future of the game based on these updates.
- Appreciation (weight 0): Appreciation is expressed for the community and gameplay mechanics. Players also praise the development team and the community for their efforts.
- Fatigue (weight 0): Fatigue is caused by continuous issues and community conflicts. Players are tired of dealing with ongoing problems and conflicts within the community.}