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Helldivers 2 rose to stellar prominence early after its release in 2024. It combined so many aspects that the gaming community wanted to see for years. There’s something for everyone: cooperative team gameplay, meaningful progression, fighting different alien foes, and of course, spreading managed democracy! The tongue-in-cheek humour of the game captivated the fans, combined with responsive devs and engaging gameplay with the help of an ever-evolving story through Major Orders. But what if you’re looking to take a break from HD2 and look for something similar? If that is the case, our list features some of the best alternatives that you can play when you want that Helldivers feel.
Games similar to Helldivers 2 are:
- Deep Rock Galactic
- Starship Troopers: Extermination
- Warhammer 40k: Darktide
- Earth Defense Force 5
- Remnant 2
- Aliens: Fireteam Elite
- GTFO
Deep Rock Galactic
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Release Date:
May 13, 2020
- – 01 January 2017 (Xbox One, PC)
- Platform(s): PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One
- Genre(s): Action, Adventure, Indie, Shooter
Would you recommend this game?
Deep Rock Galactic was released in 2020 and quickly became one of the cult online co-op games. Like Helldivers 2, you’ll party up in 1-4 person teams of space dwarfs to take on different objectives. In DRG, that usually means mining enough precious ore while battling alien monsters, destroying surrounding cave systems, and escaping with all the loot you can gather. It features four different classes, with plenty of cosmetic options through various DLC packs. The maps are procedurally generated, meaning that there’s near-infinite replayability in every session. And who can forget the famous “Rock and Stone!” battlecry rumbling through the tunnels?
Starship Troopers: Extermination
- Release Date: May 17, 2023
- Platform(s): PC
- Genre(s): Action, Indie
Would you recommend this game?
It’s more than obvious that the movie version of Starship Troopers was a major inspiration for Helldivers 2. From the tongue-in-cheek tone and references, down to the design of some Terminids. Starship Troopers: Extermination released in 2023 and follows a very similar premise to HD2. However, your squads are bigger, numbering up to 16 players with the goal of fending off bugs and completing objectives. Unfortunately, the game suffered from optimization and performance issues upon release, which severely impacted its reception. It is still considered to be in early access and in many ways, Helldivers 2 stole Extermination’s thunder. Still, it is a fun alternative, especially if you believe that the only good bug is a dead bug.
Warhammer 40,000: Darktide
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Release Date:
November 30, 2022
- – 30 November 2022 (Xbox Series X, PC)
- Platform(s): PC, Xbox Series S/X, Xbox Series X
- Genre(s): Action, Adventure, Indie, Shooter
Would you recommend this game?
There are more than a few nods to Warhammer 40k in Helldivers 2. So if you’re looking for an alternative, Warhammer 40k: Darktide is the perfect fit. Featuring team-based gameplay in a party of up to four players, you can select from several different characters, each with their own set of abilities. Similar to Vermintide, their fantasy equivalent, Darktide will throw hordes of enemies at your party, interspersed with special foes and tough bosses. All of them are there to prevent your group from completing one of the various objectives. Prepare for a tough fight, whether against the xeno, the mutant, or the heretic. All must burn.
Earth Defense Force 5
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Release Date:
December 11, 2018
- – 11 December 2018 (PlayStation 4)
- Platform(s): PC, PlayStation 4
- Genre(s): Action, Shooter, Third Person
Would you recommend this game?
Earth Defense Force 5 is the perfect supplement for Helldivers 2 fans. Released in 2019, the two games are eerily similar in both tone and plot. Instead of planet-hopping like in HD2, however, in EDF5, you’ll be tasked with defending our home world from invasions of various aliens. In contrast to HD2, this game has a very anime-like feel. The invasion started in Japan, after all. You’ll fight side by side with giant mechs while having a chance to don an exosuit yourself and battle hordes of invaders. There’s a wide range of weaponry to choose from, so you’re sure to find something that suits your style and adapt to any situation.
Remnant 2 is an interesting mishmash of an FPS and an aRPG, loosely fitting into the looter-shooter genre. The game’s tone is dark and foreboding, with fun gunplay and many ways to customize your gameplay. You can play it solo, or better yet, in co-op with up to three players. Similarly to Helldivers 2, you will get into missions and try to get as much loot out as possible, while engaging various foes. One of the most memorable parts of Remnant 2 are the boss battles. Giant monstrosities will take a lot of coordination and firepower to bring down, but the rewards are worth it. The game is infinitely replayable, with branching stories, so it’s perfect if you’re looking for a more focused experience after HD2.
Aliens: Fireteam Elite
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Release Date:
August 23, 2021
- – 01 June 2021 (PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X)
- Platform(s): PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series S/X, Xbox Series X
- Genre(s): Action, RPG, Shooter, Third Person
Would you recommend this game?
Games based on the Aliens universe are a rocky slope of ups and downs. Fortunately, Fireteam Elite is one of those great entries for the franchise. To battle the xenomorph threat, you will have to assemble a crack team of specialists, each equipped from an arsenal of varied weaponry. There is player progression in the game, so you will have a chance to further optimize and fine-tune your marine. The scope of Fireteam Elite’s missions is slightly downscaled compared to Helldivers 2 but requires no less cooperation and planning to successfully pull off missions. It represents a comparably more claustrophobic experience, which is well worth your time if you have a dedicated player group.
GTFO
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Release Date:
December 9, 2021
- – 01 January 2018 (PC)
- Platform(s): PC
- Genre(s): Action, Adventure, Shooter
Would you recommend this game?
If you want to lean further into the horror aspect of a team co-op shooter, then look no further than GTFO. It is a four-player horror shooter in which you and your friends play as prisoners in an infested facility. You need to find a way out through any means necessary. Otherwise, the monsters will find you and get you. Being equipped with various guns gives you a small chance, but you should fire them only when absolutely necessary. Otherwise, rely on stealth and try not to wake the monsters. The game requires a level of coordination that all Helldivers 2 players who play on higher difficulties will be familiar with.
