Summary
Helldivers 2has quickly become one of 2024’s most acclaimed games, and being a live-service title, it’s only just getting started. Though the live-service model can be notoriously difficult to wield efficiently,Helldivers 2appears to be doing all the right things, delivering a compelling gameplay loop, a wealth of progression systems, and an ever-evolving narrative that doesn’t take itself too seriously.
ThoughHelldivers 2came loaded with content on launch, Arrowhead has wasted no time in kicking off the game’s live-service plans, with the game’s first Premium Warbond battle pass being released just a few weeks after the game’s initial launch. On top of itsPremium Warbonds,Helldivers 2has also added a number of new enemy units, new mission types, and new Stratagems over the course of the last few months. And whileHelldivers 2continues to expand its build variety, there’s one type of weapon that is still yet to come to the game.
Should Helldivers 2 Get Melee Weapons?
The Argument For Melee Weapons Coming to Helldivers 2
Helldivers 2currently has no melee weapons at all. Set a few centuries in the future,Helldivers 2’s Sci-Fi military settingcould pave the way for some pretty creative melee weapons, many of which could end up being really fun to use if Arrowhead really leans into the new weapon type. While laser swords would be the obvious first pick,Helldivers 2could offer up some really unique melee weapon designs, some of which could massively impact the game’s build variety.
For instance, it would be fun to see a new, melee-focused version ofHelldivers 2’s Ballistic Shield Support Stratagem, letting players charge into battle with a shield in one hand and some kind of Sci-Fi axe, sword, or hammer in the other. Another unique melee weapon idea forHelldivers 2could be some kind of long-reaching flail that players could use to dish out area-of-effect damage on large swarms of enemies. Even just a small laser dagger secondary weapon would be fun to see inHelldivers 2.
On top of increasing the game’s build variety, adding melee weapons toHelldivers 2would also suit the game’s bombastic, often absurd tone extremely well. Leaning heavily into the satirical nature ofmovies likeStarship Troopers,Helldivers 2centers itself around over-the-top moments. Running head-first into an oncoming army of enemies with only a sword in hand would fit right at home inHelldivers 2’s exaggerated universe.
The Argument Against Melee Weapons Coming to Helldivers 2
But adding melee weapons toHelldivers 2wouldn’t be all positive. So much ofHelldivers 2’s core gameplay looprevolves around careful resource management, and in particular, careful management of the player’s ammo supply. IfHelldivers 2added melee weapons, then it could risk sacrificing this carefully crafted system. There are ways around this, such as making melee attacks use up the player’s stamina, but this would pose its own set of issues, asHelldivers 2’s stamina management is another carefully balanced mechanic as it is.
Another big argument against melee weapons coming toHelldivers 2is that they may simply be inefficient to use. Though running head-first into an army of Terminids with a laser sword held high would look awesome and feel just as great, that would likely only last for a few seconds as melee weapons probably wouldn’t do a lot to mostHelldivers 2enemy types. This could then easily lead to frustration or disappointment, with melee-focused players potentially being viewed as inefficient members of the team.
Helldivers 2
WHERE TO PLAY
Do you believe in freedom? Can you stand in the face of oppression – and defend the defenceless? Wage war for peace. Die for democracy.Join forces with up to three friends and wreak havoc on an alien scourge threatening the safety of your home planet, Super Earth, in this multiplayer co-op shooter for PS5 and PC from Arrowhead Game Studios.Step into the boots of the Helldivers, an elite class of soldiers whose mission is to spread peace, liberty and Managed Democracy using the biggest, baddest and most explosive tools in the galaxy.Helldivers don’t go planet side without proper backup, but it’s up to you to decide how and when to call it in. Not only do you have a host of superpowered primary weapons and customizable loadouts, you also have the ability to call on stratagems during play.Helldivers 2 features Arrowhead’s best cooperative gameplay yet. Collaboration will be vital: Teams will synergize on loadouts, strategize their approach for each mission and complete objectives together.1Enlist in Super Earth’s premier military peacekeeping force today. We are heroes… we are legends… WE ARE HELLDIVERS.
