Helldivers 2 obliterates CoD player count despite costing less than recent microtransactions
The success of Helldivers 2 is hard to overstate, especially when it felt like nobody knew what it was. The bug-shooting mayhem simulator has brought justice and democracy to the universe, and players have been unashamed in their love for blasting bugs in a game that seems to have worked purely on word of mouth.
Helldivers 2 might struggle to keep its servers trundling in the face of an enhanced playerbase, but it hasn't stopped being damn good fun when you're let into a game, and it's making a splash on PlayStation that Sony needs right now. And it appears to be decimating the competition.
CoD and Fortnite bow to Helldivers 2
As first pointed out on Twitter by user JayTechTV, Helldivers 2 is currently soaring on the PS5, topping country charts.
The FPS is currently the second most played game in the UK, coming behind only EA Sports FC 24, and is toppling shooter giants like Call of Duty and Fortnite. It's a shocking statistic that has established Helldivers 2 not only as a game to keep an eye on but also as a game to be involved with right now.
Being about to beat out Call of Duty as an FPS that has reigned over charts for decades is quite the achievement, but to also topple Fortnite, the game that has practically been a stand-in for gaming culture since it launched, is massive.
Why is Helldivers 2 popping off so much?
Click to enlargeThe successes of Arrowhead Game Studios are easy to see now, and many have theorised that Helldivers 2's price has had something to do with it. Remember, Call of Duty has just had to wheel back on an absurdly expensive cosmetic pack that costs more than the entire game of Helldivers 2.
It's telling of fans not being happy to keep shelling out money for mere cosmetics that don't ultimately matter to them. The odd collab with the likes of The Boys might be fun for a while, but as players want to shoot stuff, Helldivers 2 is giving them a chance. Plus, it goes without mentioning that Helldivers 2 is incredibly fun.
Helldivers 2 strips out the faffing and drops you straight into the action, giving you and your compatriots a common goal to fight for. To spread democracy across the galaxy is to bond with your brothers, and Helldivers 2 offers chances to do that in droves. So far in 2024, Helldivers 2 has become the breakout star - and few are as deserving of the title.
