Helldivers Super Earth Ultimate Edition PS4 Review

Hey everyone! Today, we're diving deep (pun intended!) into Helldivers: Super Earth Ultimate Edition for the PS4. If you're on the hunt for a challenging, cooperative, and downright hilarious twin-stick shooter, then buckle up, because this review is for you. We'll be covering everything from the core gameplay to the extra content packed into this Ultimate Edition, and whether it's worth your hard-earned cash.

What is Helldivers?

First off, let's get everyone on the same page. Helldivers is a top-down, twin-stick shooter where you and up to three friends play as, well, Helldivers. These guys (and gals) are the elite troops of Super Earth, tasked with spreading managed democracy to the galaxy, one alien bug, cyborg, or Illuminate at a time. The game is known for its intense difficulty, friendly fire (which is ALWAYS on), and the strategic use of stratagems – powerful support abilities like airstrikes, supply drops, and defensive turrets that you call in using complex button combinations. Seriously, mastering those stratagems is key to survival. Now, imagine all that chaos, multiplied by four players, with bullets flying everywhere, aliens swarming, and someone accidentally calling in an airstrike on their own position. That's Helldivers in a nutshell, guys. The core gameplay loop revolves around selecting missions on a galactic map, deploying to procedurally generated planets, completing objectives, and extracting before you get overrun. Success earns you experience points and resources, which you can then use to upgrade your weapons, stratagems, and soldier stats. What makes Helldivers truly shine is its emphasis on teamwork. You can't just run and gun your way through levels; you need to coordinate your attacks, cover each other's backs, and revive fallen teammates. Communication is crucial, and the game's built-in voice chat makes it easy to stay in sync with your squad. And let's not forget the friendly fire. Oh, the friendly fire! It's both a source of immense frustration and endless laughter, as you accidentally (or sometimes intentionally) blow up your buddies with grenades, airstrikes, or even a stray bullet. But hey, that's part of the fun, right? The game is designed to be challenging, and you will die. A lot. But that's okay, because every death is a learning opportunity. You'll learn to anticipate enemy attacks, use your stratagems more effectively, and maybe, just maybe, avoid accidentally killing your teammates (probably not, though). And as you progress through the game, you'll unlock new weapons, stratagems, and perks that will help you tackle even tougher challenges. The feeling of finally completing a difficult mission with your squad is incredibly rewarding, and it's what keeps players coming back for more.

What's Included in the Super Earth Ultimate Edition?

Okay, so you're intrigued by Helldivers, but what makes the Super Earth Ultimate Edition so ultimate? Well, this version includes the base game plus a ton of DLC packs that add new weapons, stratagems, vehicles, and even entire enemy types. We're talking about the Masters Of The Galaxy, Turning Up The Heat, and Democracy Strikes Back expansions, just to name a few. Each DLC pack brings something unique to the table, whether it's a new shotgun that blasts enemies into oblivion, a powerful mech suit that can mow down hordes of aliens, or a devastating airstrike that wipes out entire enemy bases. Having all this extra content from the get-go is a huge boon, as it gives you a ton of options for customizing your loadout and playstyle. You can experiment with different weapon combinations, try out new stratagems, and find what works best for you and your squad. Plus, it adds a lot of replay value to the game, as you'll always have something new to unlock and try out. The Ultimate Edition also includes all the previously released updates and patches, which means you're getting the most polished and refined version of the game. The developers have done a great job of balancing the gameplay, fixing bugs, and adding new features based on player feedback. So, you can rest assured that you're getting a smooth and enjoyable experience. One of the highlights of the Ultimate Edition is the inclusion of vehicles. These vehicles can provide a significant advantage in battle, allowing you to traverse the battlefield quickly, mow down enemies with ease, and provide cover for your teammates. The Ultimate Edition also introduces new enemy types, each with its own unique abilities and weaknesses. This adds a new layer of challenge to the game, as you'll need to adapt your tactics and strategies to overcome these new threats. For example, the Illuminate faction is known for its psychic abilities, which can disrupt your stratagems and turn your own weapons against you. The cyborg faction is heavily armored and relies on brute force, while the bug faction overwhelms you with sheer numbers. Each faction requires a different approach, and you'll need to learn their strengths and weaknesses if you want to survive.

Gameplay and Mechanics

Let's delve into the nitty-gritty of Helldivers' gameplay. As mentioned before, it's a twin-stick shooter, meaning you control your character's movement with one stick and aim your weapon with the other. The controls are tight and responsive, which is crucial in a game that demands precision and quick reflexes. But Helldivers is more than just a run-and-gun shooter. It's a strategic game that requires careful planning, coordination, and resource management. One of the key mechanics in Helldivers is the use of stratagems. These are special abilities that you call in using a series of button presses. Stratagems can range from offensive attacks like airstrikes and orbital bombardments to defensive measures like supply drops and shield generators. Mastering the stratagem system is essential for survival, as they can provide a significant advantage in battle. The button combinations for stratagems can be complex, and you'll need to memorize them if you want to call them in quickly and efficiently. But don't worry, the game provides a helpful tutorial that teaches you the basics of stratagem usage. Another important aspect of Helldivers is the concept of friendly fire. As the name suggests, friendly fire is always on, which means you can accidentally (or intentionally) shoot your teammates. This can lead to hilarious and frustrating situations, but it also adds a layer of realism and challenge to the game. You'll need to be careful where you aim your weapons and avoid firing into crowds of enemies, as you might end up hitting your teammates instead. Friendly fire also encourages teamwork and communication, as you'll need to coordinate your attacks and cover each other's backs. The game's difficulty is another defining feature of Helldivers. It's a tough game, and you will die frequently. But that's part of the fun. The game is designed to be challenging, and you'll need to learn from your mistakes and adapt your strategies if you want to succeed. The difficulty scales with the number of players, so the more players you have, the tougher the game becomes. This ensures that the game remains challenging even with a full squad of four players. The game also features a persistent world, which means that your actions have consequences. If you fail a mission, the enemy will gain ground, and the overall war effort will suffer. This adds a sense of urgency to the game and encourages you to work together with other players to defend Super Earth.

Graphics and Sound

Graphically, Helldivers isn't going to win any awards, but it's a perfectly serviceable-looking game. The top-down perspective allows for a clear view of the battlefield, and the environments are varied and detailed. From snowy wastelands to lush jungles, each planet feels distinct and unique. The character models are well-designed, and the animations are smooth and fluid. The game also features a variety of visual effects, such as explosions, particle effects, and lighting effects, which add to the overall atmosphere. The sound design in Helldivers is excellent. The weapons sound powerful and impactful, and the explosions are satisfyingly loud. The game also features a dynamic soundtrack that changes depending on the situation. The music is intense and suspenseful during combat, and it becomes more mellow and relaxing when you're exploring the environment. The voice acting is also well-done, and the characters are all believable and engaging. The sound effects are particularly impressive, with each weapon and explosion sounding unique and powerful. The game also features a dynamic soundtrack that adapts to the action on screen, creating a sense of tension and excitement. The music is composed by Jesper Kyd, who is known for his work on the Assassin's Creed and Borderlands series. The sound design in Helldivers is one of the game's strongest aspects, and it helps to create an immersive and engaging experience. The game also supports surround sound, which further enhances the sense of immersion. Whether you're using headphones or a surround sound system, you'll be able to hear the action happening all around you, which can be a huge advantage in combat. The graphics and sound in Helldivers work together to create a cohesive and immersive experience. While the game may not be the most visually stunning title on the market, it's still a solid-looking game that's easy on the eyes. And the excellent sound design helps to create a sense of tension and excitement that keeps you engaged from start to finish.

Is the Super Earth Ultimate Edition Worth It?

So, the million-dollar question: is the Helldivers: Super Earth Ultimate Edition worth buying? In my opinion, absolutely! If you're a fan of twin-stick shooters, cooperative games, or just enjoy a good challenge, then Helldivers is a must-have. The core gameplay is addictive and rewarding, and the Ultimate Edition packs in a ton of extra content that will keep you entertained for hours on end. The inclusion of all the DLC packs is a huge selling point, as it gives you access to a wide variety of weapons, stratagems, and vehicles. This allows you to customize your loadout and playstyle to your liking, and it adds a lot of replay value to the game. The game is also incredibly fun to play with friends. The friendly fire mechanic can lead to some hilarious and frustrating situations, but it also encourages teamwork and communication. And the satisfaction of completing a difficult mission with your squad is unmatched. However, Helldivers isn't for everyone. The game is challenging, and you will die frequently. If you're not a fan of difficult games, then you might want to steer clear. The friendly fire mechanic can also be frustrating at times, especially if you're playing with inexperienced players. But if you're willing to embrace the challenge and work together with your teammates, then Helldivers can be an incredibly rewarding experience. Helldivers: Super Earth Ultimate Edition is a fantastic package that offers a ton of content for a reasonable price. Whether you're a seasoned Helldivers veteran or a newcomer to the series, this edition is definitely worth checking out. Just be prepared for a challenging and hilarious experience that will test your skills and your friendships. So, grab your friends, suit up, and get ready to spread some managed democracy across the galaxy!