Summary

• Helldivers 2 is off to an incredible start, but there is still room for improvement.
• With constant updates, it's already presumed that more content is on the way, but there are particular features that would be major additions.
• For instance, a dedicated first-person mode, certain new weapon types, and enhanced cosmetic features would go a long way in improving the experience.

Helldivers 2 has captivated the gaming community and its charming, if overzealous, attitude toward democracy has helped it become one of the biggest games of 2024. With its addictive gameplay, hilarious propaganda, and ability to not take itself too seriously, droves of players have ed the ranks of the Helldivers. Developer Arrowhead Game Studios has continued to work on its prized title since release, promising more content to come.

Although one of the most fun experiences in gaming, especially with a group of friends, Helldivers 2 has some way to go before it can be consolidated as an all-time great. It isn't the most stable title, being littered with glitches and bugs (figuratively and literally); however, many are willing to overlook this because of how enjoyable the core of the game is. Should these bugs be ironed out, and more content added, Helldivers 2 could be a title with a lasting legacy.

10 Fully Functioning Crossplay

It Works Half Of The Time

Despite offering crossplay on release, there have been some complications. PlayStation players have not always been able to the ranks of their PC compatriots, given that some players on Steam are unable to use the built-in friend request system. This system is the most convenient way to use crossplay and without it working for most Steam s, it seems that the two systems will remain apart outside of random matchmaking for the time being.

Games published by PlayStation are not known for their PC integration, since ports that do come out take years to do so, such as God of War receiving its Steam release four years after launch. Arrowhead has recently given an update that it recognizes the problems with crossplay. Unfortunately, it does not seem to have a fix for the situation, but a title offering crossplay should ensure that it works adequately.

Only PlayStation 5 and PC received versions of Helldivers 2 at launch. Xbox is yet to the Galactic War and is unlikely to do so anytime soon thanks to the game being published by PlayStation.

9 First-Person Perspective

POV: It's Time To Spread Democracy

With the ability to zoom, Arrowhead's shooter does offer a kind of first person mode, yet this can only be done while aiming through a scope. This allows Helldivers to become deadly snipers with the Anti-Material Rifle, as well as aim more precisely with a marksman or assault rifle, yet this zoom is limiting. Why not allow players to switch from third to first person, like in GTA 5? It could allow the game to reach an even larger audience.

There is a glitch in the game which forces players to remain in first person, even if they attempt to return to third-person mode. Perhaps making the mode something a player can toggle on and off could both offer players greater versatility in their experience and fix this specific bug. This could appeal to the Left 4 Dead community, since killing scores of enemies in the style of an FPS could prove nostalgic for those players.

Currently, the only solution to the zoom in glitch is death. Once a Helldiver falls in battle, the camera will return to behind the character's shoulder. Thanks to the frequency of death in the game, this glitch is not game breaking and remains as a minor annoyance.

8 Land Vehicles

Using Wheels To Run Over Bugs

Automatons have vehicles, like Annihilator Tanks, yet Helldivers lack many ground vehicle options. Some maps are large, and with a time limit on each mission, a faster mode of transport would solve the issue of seemingly endless walking from objective to objective. The closest thing Helldivers have at their disposal is a mech, yet this lacks the speed to be an effective mode of transport, being closer to an exoskeleton housing an armory.

Dataminers found that there were files containing references to cars or rovers, so a type of ground vehicle could be in the works. A deployable tank could even the odds against the Automatons and ramming through the freedom-hating Terminids with a high-speed jeep could provide hours of endless fun. With the size of most maps, it isn't as though there won't be adequate room for some roaming wheels.

7 Airborne Vehicles

Distributing Democracy To The Skies

With airborne vehicles, like the Automaton Dropships and the Extraction Shuttle, already in the game, it leaves one to wonder why they can't be piloted yet. It isn't as though being ejected onto a planet via a pod is the only way to get there, and air might be just what is needed for the Galactic War effort. Dropping bombs from above, sweeping across in rapid jet-like ships or simply using transports to get from place to place would add an extra dimension to the game.

Against Automatons, airborne vehicles wouldn't be too overpowered, as they can always be shot down, yet many Terminids would be incapable of dealing damage to a flying foe. There would be solutions to this, however, such as making these vehicles fragile, like Halo's Banshee, so that Bile Spewers could easily take down a careless Helldiver. Flying Terminids have also been introduced, evening the odds and making the sky just as deadly a battleground.

6 Melee Weapons

Fighting The Terminides Up Close & Personal

A meek melee option does exist in Helldivers 2, but the corresponding stat rarely reaches double figures. In general, getting up close and personal to enemies is a poor strategy, but that could change with effective weaponry for those that like to fight the old-fashioned way. Some Automatons even have energy blades, so incorporating this technology in the name of freedom could prove a viable strategy.

Perhaps Arrowhead could take a page from Warhammer 40k's book, adding chainsaw-like swords to mow down Terminids. Better yet, with the establishment of energy weapons, a Helldiver could be equipped with something similar to Halo's Energy Sword or Gravity Hammer. It would add an extra dynamic to the game and may appeal to those who want to get involved but don't enjoy shooters as much.

In this case, an Energy Sword or Chainsword could act as a primary weapon, while the Gravity Hammer-like armament could be a Stratagem, thanks to its greater AOE.

5 Customizable Ship Interiors

Making A Ship A Home For Liberty

Helldivers 2 does offer some customization with a ship through its name, and there are also sections to unlock onboard, yet there is not a way to customize the aesthetic of the interior or exterior. Even something as simple as adding paint to the exterior or changing the font of the name written on the hull would be appreciated, allowing ships to stand out from one another while clumped together as a fleet above a planet.

For its interior, perhaps it could offer something like Star Wars: The Old Republic's customization for Guild Flagships, allowing players to add collectibles and art around their bridge. Even banners identical to their capes would help to personalize the place. Plenty of time is spent on a ship while preparing for a mission, so why not allow Helldivers to make it more of a home? It would mean a greater number of purchasable cosmetics for Arrowhead to sell to its players - a win-win.

4 Shooting Range Or Training Ground

Fighting For Freedom Requires Practice

Despite the vast array of weapons offered to players, there isn't anywhere to test them other than the battlefield. Although the game does offer video tutorials of weapons, it does not help a player understand how a gun feels to use and if it is for them. Intricacies, like range and movement with a specific gun, can be experimented with, allowing for a Helldiver to better understand what they are able to do before being thrust into the front lines.

Other than the tutorial, there isn't anywhere to better understand the fundamental mechanics, other than in the heat of battle. The first couple of missions can be frustrating, since a player will have to adapt to so much information at once, but allowing for a more gentle introduction via a voluntary training mode they can always visit could be a solution. It could also give a Helldiver something to do in-game while waiting for a friend to them.

Overwatch offers a shooting range where a player can test all the different heroes against the other heroes. It aids in the understanding of the game and its changes, patch after patch. As Helldivers 2 is constantly being updated, allowing players to test the changes made in a safe environment would help immensely.

3 More Gun Mods

Adding A Personal Touch To Firearms

Primary Weapons can already be tweaked. The rate of fire can be changed from automatic to semi-automatic or burst fire if applicable, yet they cannot be further customized with mods, like in other titles. Each firearm has set stats, but this could be changed with mods that allow for a player to tinker with a gun until it plays the way they want it to. For example, they could increase the ammo capacity at the expense of damage.

With melee attacks being relatively ineffective, perhaps a bayonet could be added to increase melee damage while also increasing recoil because of the extra weight. Despite being expendable, Helldivers are an elite class of soldier, so letting them personalize weapons for maximum efficiency would make sense. As long as trade-offs are added to prevent any mods from making a weapon over-powered, it would be a welcome addition.

2 Cosmetics For Weapons

Expressing Oneself With Weapons

The weapons of Helldivers are considered one of its greatest features; the sheer variety is beyond impressive, and adding some extra customization to this would aid in artificially increasing that variety. With a brilliant live-service model, Helldivers 2 adding weapon skins would be seen as a great addition, rather than bowing down to greed. Arrowhead could find a new source of profit here, similar to skins in Fortnite.

As long as Helldivers 2 continues to allow players to unlock everything for free, provided they have the time and effort, there is no reason why this would be ill received. Greater customization is always welcomed. Having a bright pink firearm in the middle of a sandy battlefield surrounded by a horde of Terminids would be endlessly amusing and add greater lunacy to an already frivolous game.

1 Changing Colors Of Armor

Look Good In The Heat Of Battle

Arrowhead has done well to include the many cosmetics that it has. Helldivers 2 offers players many options with armor, yet it does not allow for the customization of that armor. These sets come in many different colors, but for those who wish to mix-and-match helmets, capes and the like, they are out of luck. Currently, there is no way to change colors to let different pieces of an armor set match, allowing for more unique Helldivers.

Although new meshes would not be required, perhaps dyes could be earned to change the color of armor. These could be in a battle like other cosmetics and unlocked naturally or bought with currency. Dying equipment would allow Helldivers 2 players to better express themselves, making the fight for democracy even more personal. It would also make their Helldiver more memorable, especially during their inevitable sacrifice for freedom.