Helldivers 2 blastoff with explosive launch trailer

Sony Interactive Entertainment and Arrowhead Game Studios have released the launch trailer for Helldivers 2, a cooperative third-person shooter and sequel to the 2015 original. Scheduled for release on February 8 for PlayStation 5 and PC via Steam, Helldivers 2 was postponed from its initial planned launch last year. The game tasks players to protect 'Super Earth' from alien insects, fostering team-based gameplay that revolves around customizing equipment and utilizing 'stratagems' – powerful tools triggered by button combos that can turn the tide in battles. Helldivers 2 offers varied team roles from frontline to sniper, and will feature cross-play between the PS5 and PC platforms.

Stratagems in Helldivers 2 are special tools players can summon using specific button combinations during gameplay to provide tactical support in combat. These can range from airstrikes to supply drops containing powerful weaponry, giving players a strategic advantage in battle.

Helldivers originally debuted in 2015 for PS3, PS4, and Vita and was later released for PC. Developed by Arrowhead Game Studios, the first game received critical acclaim for its challenging gameplay, deep cooperative mechanics, and emergent moments of player camaraderie. As a sequel, Helldivers 2 is poised to build upon the foundations set by the original while offering enhancements and new features like cross-play enabled between console and PC, ensuring a wider player base and potentially more dynamic team interactions.