• Developer: Arrowhead Game Studios
• Genre: Third-person Shooter
• Release date: February 8, 2024

Well, recruit, it looks like democracy is under threat from alien scum, and it’s up to you to show them who’s boss. In Helldivers 2, you are Super Earth’s last line of defense against the swarming threat of the Terminids and the constantly rebuilding Terminator-like Automaton army. Its many guns, ordinances, and thrilling missions make it one of the best shooters you can play right now, with up to three other squadmates, no matter what platform they choose.

Wearing its Starship Troopers influence on its sleeve from the video package that plays whenever you boot it up, Helldivers 2 is not a game that takes itself seriously. It knows from the fist-bumping and liberal use of nukes that it only needs high-octane action to thrive in the current gaming space. Thanks to the Heart of Democracy update, which adds the Illuminate faction to the list of threats to mankind, the player count is stabilizing at healthier numbers. Should you lace up those boots and complete mission objectives, you can earn points towards unlocking progress in Warbonds that unlock new weapons, armor, and ordinances to spread managed democracy across the galaxy. It’s by no means an easy task, but someone’s got to get their hands dirty, and you are just who Super Earth needs. Cross-play is supported with PS5 and the new Xbox Series X|S version.