Helldivers 2 review-bombed after Escalation of Freedom update nerfs it into oblivion

Helldivers 2 review-bombed after Escalation of Freedom update nerfs it into oblivion

As a seasoned gamer with over two decades under my belt, I’ve seen games rise and fall like the tides. Helldivers 2 was once a shining beacon of hope in the shooter genre, but it seems to have stumbled on its own journey.


As a gamer, I must admit that the once-adored game by Arrowhead Game Studios, Helldivers 2, has lost some of its luster. Back in 2024, it was like a sparkling new toy, revitalizing the shooter genre with its unique charm. However, it’s been having a tough time maintaining its top spot on the leaderboards these days.

Arrowhead has continually tried to maintain excitement by introducing numerous updates, yet each release seems to be accompanied by issues. Although some exciting new features have been introduced, the costly Premium Warbonds have failed to ignite the game as expected, and unfortunately, the anticipated Illuminate faction is yet to materialize.

Helldivers 2 review-bombed over Escalation of Freedom update

Helldivers 2 review-bombed after Escalation of Freedom update nerfs it into oblivion

The developers have decided to alter their approach, as Community Manager Thomas Petersson has cautioned that the pace of updates might decrease temporarily to ensure everything is properly implemented. Regrettably, it appears that a longer waiting period for the Escalation of Freedom update hasn’t improved the game’s reception – as indicated by the reviews themselves.

Over the last day, Steam users have fiercely criticized Helldivers: Freedom Edition, hinting at potential balance adjustments. It appears Arrowhead Studio is having trouble finding the right balance in the game, and with Escalation of Freedom, this problem seems to be reaching a boiling point. On August 6th, there were as many as 671 negative reviews posted.

The adjustments, or nerfs, have been made throughout, turning the Incendiary Breaker from an overpowered shotgun into a feeble asset for your collection. The studio’s CEO, Shams Jorjani, seems vigilant and swiftly addressed the issue on X with “We’ll make further adjustments.” Regrettably, these changes have left Helldivers 2 in a fragile state, as players’ discontent is growing like a raging fire.

Understand me well. I’m the primary user of the Liberator Penetrator, and it’s been a long time since I received any updates. It’s sad. 💔

In other words, we are attentive to your feedback and will make adjustments as usual. We’ll even make more changes after that, ensuring the best experience for our users.

— Shams Jorjani (@ShamsJorjani) August 6, 2024

Based on my personal gaming experiences, I strongly advise against purchasing this game. It’s incredibly frustrating to encounter ongoing bugs and glitches that have persisted for months without any signs of resolution. It feels like the developers are more preoccupied with playing Whac-A-Mole than addressing these critical issues, which undermines my trust in their commitment to delivering a quality product. I’ve encountered similar situations in the past, and it always leaves me feeling disappointed and let down as a consumer.

A frustrated player expressed dissatisfaction by saying, “The balance team for Helldivers 2 seem to lack understanding of how to properly balance a game, as they keep weakening effective weapons so they match the weak ones,” while another commented, “I find the developers to be inept individuals who don’t play their own game and consistently nerf any enjoyable aspects without reason.”

The largest update for Helldivers 2 so far is titled Freedom of Escalation, which introduces challenging new missions labeled Super Helldives, a task inspired by Death Stranding called Larva Retrieval where players care for bugs, and a chilling Swamp environment to offer a fresh landscape.

In the updated version, you’ll encounter new adversaries such as a mist-covered Spore Charger, a newly introduced boss known as the Terminid Alpha Commander, and the reappearance of the Impaler enemy type from the original Helldivers. Meanwhile, Automatons will be reinforced with the Rocket Tank and other unexpected robotic reinforcements.

Arrowhead has pulled out all the stops for the game’s six-month celebration, and the highly anticipated anti-griefing system adds an enjoyable layer. Regrettably, some players are alleging that the development team is acting as the ‘fun police’ by restricting popular weapons.

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2024-08-07 14:12