Highlights
- Helldivers 2 is popular on Steam despite monetization controversies and maintains a positive review score.
- Games like Warhammer 40,000: Darktide and Risk of Rain 2 offer similar experiences to Helldivers 2 with their cooperative gameplay and hordes of enemies.
- Warframe and Aliens: Fireteam Elite provide alternative options for players who enjoy the objective-based third-person shooter gameplay of Helldivers 2.
At the time of writing, Helldivers 2 is one of the most popular games on Steam, managing to maintain its place in Steam's Top Sellers for a good while now. Despite some light controversies around the game's monetization, Helldivers 2 maintains a respectably positive review score.
The Pros and Cons of Helldivers 2's Permanent Battle Passes
Helldivers 2 features a battle pass progression system with battle passes that never expire, but it’s not quite as generous as it may seem.
Whether players are fans of Helldivers 2 looking for a fresh experience, or looking for an alternative to the hit co-operative shooter, these games each bring something different to the table. While it could be argued that not all of these games surpass Helldivers 2 in quality, they certainly offer similar experiences.
8 Warhammer 40,000: Darktide
An FPS Horde Shooter Set In The 40k Universe
Warhammer 40,000: Darktide
- Platform(s)
- PC , Xbox Series X , Xbox Series S
- Released
- November 30, 2022
- Developer(s)
- Fatshark
- Genre(s)
- FPS
This first-person online shooter, Warhammer 40,000: Darktide, tasks players with grouping up and battling against hordes of enemies, much like games such as Left 4 Dead. Darktide, and its fantasy-themed cousin, Vermintide, take clear inspiration from objective-based horde shooters like Left 4 Dead 2.
Despite Darktide taking place in smaller, more enclosed environments than Helldivers 2, the frantic action and pure chaos that emerges from Darktide's gameplay is quite similar. Despite getting off to a rough start at launch, the game has come a long way. In spite of the game's flaws, it maintains a review score exceeding 65%, with more recent reviews marking the title even higher.
7 Risk Of Rain 2
A Co-Operative Third-Person Shooter Rogue-Lite
Risk of Rain 2
- Platform(s)
- Xbox One , Nintendo Switch , PC , PS4
- Released
- September 11, 2020
- Developer(s)
- Hopoo Games
- Genre(s)
- Third-Person Shooter , Roguelike
Although Risk Of Rain 2 shares the same third-person shooter action as Helldivers 2, and can be played in full online co-op, it distinguishes itself by its roguelite structure. Similarly to Helldivers 2, Risk Of Rain 2 has players explore open levels and battle large groups of alien enemies.
Risk Of Rain 2: Every Character, Ranked
Risk of Rain 2 features a fantastic variety of characters to play as, and here is a comprehensive ranking of each one players unlock.
Risk Of Rain 2 features a variety of playable characters and upgrades that affect abilities in different ways, allowing for a multitude of builds. Unlike Helldivers 2, Risk Of Rain 2 is a singular, roguelite experience with little meta-progression and/or customization.
6 Warframe
Co-Operative, Objective-Based, Third-Person Gameplay
Warframe
- Platform(s)
- PC , PS4 , PS5 , Xbox One , Xbox Series S , Xbox Series X , Switch
- Released
- March 25, 2013
- Developer(s)
- Digital Extremes
- Genre(s)
- Third-Person Shooter
From its science-fiction theme to its third-person action gameplay and objective-based gameplay loop, Warframe is likely to be a great fit for many fans of Helldivers 2. Although it lacks the satirical tone of Helldivers 2, Warframe's online co-operative missions often task players with completing objectives and battling waves of enemies.
This simple but addictive gameplay loop is arguably what makes games like Helldivers 2 so great, and while Warframe features plenty of systems, its moment-to-moment gameplay is easy to grasp. For those looking for a slightly darker take on what Helldivers 2 has to offer, look no further than Digital Extremes' third-person shooter.
5 Earth Defense Force 5
Co-Operative Chaos
This ridiculously over-the-top third-person shooter tasks players with battling against hordes of aliens, most of which are massive in size. The game puts players in control of one of four distinct classes, and every mission can be played in up to four-player co-op.
Earth Defense Force 5's uniquely chaotic gameplay won't be for everyone, as there's often a lot happening at once. However, the game's silly nature and chaotic third-person action is likely to appease fans of Helldivers 2.
4 Aliens: Fireteam Elite
A Tactile Co-Op Shooter Experience
Aliens: Fireteam Elite
- Platform(s)
- Xbox One , Xbox Series X , PC , PS4 , PS5
- Released
- August 24, 2021
- Developer(s)
- Cold Iron Studios
- Genre(s)
- Third-Person Shooter
This mission-based third-person shooter puts players in the shoes of marines in the Aliens universe. The game features the style of action that made the iconic movie franchise so popular, along with a handful of distinct classes, and solid, albeit repetitive, missions.
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Similarly to Helldivers 2, Aliens: Fireteam Elite is a chaotic third-person shooter that's best with friends. Although it could be argued that Fireteam Elite has lower replay value than games like Helldivers 2, it still manages to offer a similar experience that's especially fun for fans of the Aliens film.
3 Starship Troopers: Extermination
A Satirical FPS For Fans Of The Source Material
Starship Troopers: Extermination is a fairly straightforward FPS experience. However, its elements of base-building and loyalty to its source material make it a worthwhile experience for fans of Starship Troopers and multiplayer FPS games alike.
Helldivers 2 takes clear inspiration from Starship Troopers for its satirical theme, and given Extermination's place as an official Starship Troopers game, it's safe to say that fans of that satire will be at home here. Although Starship Troopers is a fully first-person shooter, its multiplayer PvE chaos and satirical nature make it a game worth playing for fans of Helldivers 2 and Starship Troopers.
2 Deep Rock Galactic
A Modern Classic FPS Mining Game
Deep Rock Galactic
- Platform(s)
- PC , PS5 , PS4 , Xbox Series X , Xbox Series S , Xbox One
- Released
- May 13, 2020
- Developer(s)
- Ghost Ship Games
- Genre(s)
- FPS
This dwarf-themed game is a first-person shooter that tasks players with delving down into procedurally generated caves to gather resources and kill bugs. The game's emphasis on mining helps distinguish it in an otherwise over-saturated market, but Deep Rock Galactic still manages to offer a similar experience to Helldivers 2.
Deep Rock Galactic features a sturdy progression system, strong community, and trusted developers who have continued to support the game over the years. Combined with the game's solid first-person action and PvE online co-op, Deep Rock is a solid multiplayer experience that fans of Helldivers 2 are likely to get a kick out of.
1 Helldivers
Still As Fun As It Always Was
Although Helldivers 2does much to improve on the original with its third-person action and fully-realized, open 3D environments, there's still a certain charm to be found in the original game. Furthermore, players looking for a more affordable but similar experience to Helldivers 2 should look no further.
In Helldivers, much like its sequel, players battle through frantic objective-based missions in online co-op. The original Helldivers features frantic twin-stick shooter gameplay, deep customization, and a large variety of enemies. While the gameplay perspective and graphical quality are dramatically different from Helldivers 2, the original Helldivers provides much of the same co-operative fun.
Helldivers 2: Best Primary Weapons, Ranked
Deliver managed democracy one planet at a time by using the best primary weapons available in the Helldivers 2 arsenal.