Tag: Helldivers 2

  • Fungi Over Freedom: Try the New Helldivers-Style Co-Op Shooter Free

    Fungi Over Freedom: Try the New Helldivers-Style Co-Op Shooter Free

    Key Takeaways

    1. First-Person Co-Op Shooter: Mycopunk offers a fast-paced first-person perspective with diverse missions focused on combating a fungal crisis.

    2. Unique Weapon Mod System: Players can customize their weapons using over 40 modules for tailored combat experiences, enhancing strategy.

    3. Class-Specific Abilities: Each robot character has unique abilities, promoting teamwork and tactical gameplay.

    4. Cel-Shaded Visual Style: The game features a unique art style blending humor and threat, reminiscent of Borderlands and Deep Rock Galactic.

    5. Demo Feedback: Early demo responses are positive, but players note issues with movement, hit feedback, and technical glitches, indicating areas for improvement before the full release in 2025.

    Mycopunk is set to be a new co-op shooter that clearly takes cues from one of the top co-op games of 2024: Helldivers 2. However, instead of taking on the role of brave soldiers liberating planets from huge bugs, you become part of the New Atlas Hazard Crew – a quirky team of robots hired by the SAXON Corporation to combat a large fungal crisis. The title is quite telling: “Myco” hints at the mushroom-laden environment, while “punk” indicates the rough, chaotic landscape that these mechanical characters must traverse, moving through spore storms and dripping biomes.

    Gameplay Mechanics

    In contrast to Helldivers, Mycopunk is experienced from a first-person viewpoint, which injects a feeling of haste and disorder into the gameplay. Missions are lively and diverse – one second you’re cleaning up fungal areas, and the next, you’re gathering biological samples or taking apart bizarre fungal formations. Time is always of the essence, and enemy waves become more ferocious as you go through the mission. Instead of standard tactics like airstrikes, turrets, or supply drops activated by specific combinations, Mycopunk presents a grid-based modification system for weapon upgrades. Players can choose from over 40 different modules that change damage types, adjust firing patterns, or trigger unique effects, giving combat a more tailored and strategic feel.

    Unique Abilities and Visual Style

    Complicating the mayhem are class-specific abilities unique to each robot, such as a swift glide, a deployable barrier, or a poisonous cloud for area control. These abilities are integrated into each character’s setup, promoting teamwork and tactical gameplay. Aesthetically, Mycopunk adopts a cel-shaded art style that merges the rough charm of Borderlands with the chunky sci-fi look of Deep Rock Galactic. The outcome is a universe that feels both grotesque and amusing, striking a balance between threat and silliness.

    Since April 28, co-op enthusiasts have had the opportunity to test out the Mycopunk demo, and early responses have been encouraging. Although the game is still somewhat under the radar with only 93 reviews on Steam, an impressive 92% of them are favorable. The demo presents a rich sample of content, including two missions, four unique classes, and an engaging hub area. Players have commended the creative weapon mod system, the game’s quirky humor, and its unique atmosphere. Many also note the unexpectedly broad scope of the demo, which provides a strong feeling of the game’s potential.

    Areas for Improvement

    Nonetheless, the demo does have some drawbacks. Certain players have noted that movement can sometimes feel rigid, and during intense combat, hit feedback can be lacking, reducing the enjoyment of fighting. The balance between class abilities and weapon modifications also appears to require further refinement, suggesting more adjustments are needed. Progression elements such as skill trees and crafting are not available in the demo, which slightly lessens long-term engagement. Additionally, there are a few technical glitches; minor bugs like indestructible mission objectives can interrupt gameplay, and the game’s high GPU usage has raised alarm, particularly among streamers who have faced performance problems during their streams.

    Mycopunk is expected to have a full release sometime in 2025, though a specific launch date is still to be announced. For now, those who are interested can add the game to their Steam wishlist to receive updates about future announcements.

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  • Helldivers 2 Fails on Older Systems After Recent Updates, Players Angry

    Helldivers 2 Fails on Older Systems After Recent Updates, Players Angry

    Key Takeaways

    1. Helldivers 2 has received positive reviews and significant interest since its launch, but players with older CPUs are facing access issues.
    2. Many users are complaining on Discord about being unable to play the game, despite meeting minimum system specifications.
    3. The game’s requirement for AVX2 support has become strict due to recent updates, locking out players with CPUs older than 2013.
    4. Moderators have expressed frustration while informing users that their outdated processors may not support the game, emphasizing the importance of checking system specifications before purchase.
    5. The development team is working on a solution for the AVX2 issue, but no official updates have been provided yet.

    Helldivers 2 has become one of the top launches from last year, attracting significant interest and receiving mostly favorable reviews on Steam. Since its release, gamers on both older and newer computers have enjoyed the game with varying levels of graphic quality. However, it has come as a shock that players with older systems have now been locked out from accessing the game they paid for. This is due to the absence of AVX2 support in older CPUs.

    User Complaints Rise

    As noted by Eurogamer, the Helldivers 2 Discord has been flooded with complaints from users who claim they can’t play the game, even though they meet the minimum specifications. Several players who previously played the game since its launch reported issues with the game not starting or crashing unexpectedly. The root of the problem appears to be linked to AVX2, or Advanced Vector Extensions 2, and the lack of support for this in older processors.

    Changes in System Requirements

    AVX2 support was allegedly part of the original system requirements, but as reported by The Verge, the enforcement of this instruction set was not strict. This allowed users with CPUs older than 2013 to run the game without issues. However, following recent updates, it seems that AVX2 has become a strict minimum requirement, leaving players with CPUs that do not support it unable to access the game without upgrading or purchasing a new machine.

    One player expressed their frustration on the Discord server, stating, “I’ve never had any issues before this update, and I’ll stand by saying that it’s really defeating to play a game for 600+ hours, be in love with it, and then be hard-locked out while meeting/ somewhat above minimum specs.” The conversation around the AVX2 issue has grown intense, with server moderator Birby voicing their annoyance at having to inform users that their 13-year-old processors are outdated. They added, “I get you’re venting, but as I keep saying- it is up to you as the consumer to confirm your system meets spec before purchase, and you should never be surprised if your out of spec machine can’t run the game.”

    Ongoing Efforts for a Fix

    Another moderator mentioned that the development team is actively working on a solution for the AVX2 problem and expressed gratitude to gamers for their understanding. For the time being, some recommended troubleshooting steps include rolling back AMD/NVIDIA GPU drivers and disabling mods, among other suggestions.

    As of now, Arrowhead Game Studios has yet to provide an official update on the situation.

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  • Helldivers 2 Announced: Surprising Features and Changes Revealed

    Helldivers 2 Announced: Surprising Features and Changes Revealed

    Key Takeaways

    1. Helldivers 2 is being adapted into a board game by Steamforged Games and Arrowhead Game Studios.
    2. The board game will offer a cooperative tactical experience for 1-4 players, focusing on missions against alien foes.
    3. Community reactions are mixed, with doubts about Steamforged’s reputation for balancing gameplay versus miniatures.
    4. Some players hope the board game will emphasize strategic gameplay rather than just showcasing miniatures.
    5. A crowdfunding campaign for the game will launch on April 8 on Gamefound, with more details to be announced soon.

    The fight for Super Earth is ongoing, but it’s not what many would think. On March 13, a fun post on X shared that the cooperative action of the popular shooter Helldivers 2 is transitioning to a board game format.

    Exciting Development

    This tabletop version is being created by Steamforged Games in collaboration with Arrowhead Game Studios, the minds behind Helldivers. Steamforged is a recognized name in the board game industry, having adapted popular video game series like Monster Hunter and Devil May Cry for tabletop play. Helldivers 2: The Board Game will offer a cooperative tactical experience for 1-4 players, where an elite Helldivers squad confronts alien foes and undertakes missions. The goal is to capture the thrilling action of the original game, translating its dynamic gameplay into a different medium.

    Community Reactions

    However, the response from the Reddit community has been mostly doubtful regarding this news, primarily due to Steamforged Games’ uneven reputation. Critics claim that the company tends to emphasize miniatures over balancing gameplay, raising questions about the overall quality of the board game. On the flip side, some Reddit users express cautious hope that the board game will emphasize tactical strategies from the video game instead of merely serving as a display for miniatures.

    Upcoming Crowdfunding

    The crowdfunding effort is set to begin on April 8 on Gamefound, allowing interested players to keep track of and support the initiative. Details about pricing, stretch goals, and what the game will include are still under wraps, but Steamforged Games has assured that further information will be shared soon.

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  • Helldivers 2: Limited Time 20% Off on Steam Sale

    Helldivers 2: Limited Time 20% Off on Steam Sale

    Key Takeaways

    1. 20% Discount Promotion: Sony is offering a 20% discount on Helldivers 2 to attract new players.

    2. Player Base Decline: The game’s active player count has dropped from nearly 500,000 to around 40,000 on Steam over the past year.

    3. Sony’s Response to Issues: Sony has slowly reversed some restrictions but has only addressed 44 out of 177 affected regions.

    4. Collaboration Efforts: The CEO of Arrowhead is still seeking collaboration with Sony to improve the game experience, but little progress has been made.

    5. Engaging Gameplay: Helldivers 2 offers fun combat, a variety of content, and a humorous atmosphere, making it enjoyable, especially when played with friends.

    If you’ve been holding back from diving into Helldivers 2, Sony is now offering a tempting 20% discount to encourage you to join the action. Recently, no other game has captured the essence of the “We’re so back!” and “We’re done!” memes quite like this one.

    Surviving Against the Odds

    It’s almost astonishing that the game still persists despite Sony’s attempts to undermine it. Initially, there was a mandatory PSN requirement, which Sony later retracted, but then they removed the game from 177 regions. Along the way, various patches almost led to its demise, and now it’s hanging on with less than 10% of its original player base.

    Player Count Decline

    At present, there are around 40,000 players active on Steam, a drastic drop from almost 500,000 players just a year ago. As usual, Sony has taken its time to react, only reversing restrictions in 44 out of the 177 affected regions.

    A Glimmer of Hope

    The CEO of Arrowhead mentioned on X that they were seeking ways to collaborate with Sony last year, but not much seems to have changed since then. It’s unfortunate because Helldivers 2 is genuinely enjoyable when played with friends. The combat is engaging, there’s a wealth of content available, the battle pass known as “Warbonds” is strictly cosmetic, and the game exudes a playful humor that enhances the experience.

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  • Sony Cancels Two More Live Service Games: What You Need to Know

    Sony Cancels Two More Live Service Games: What You Need to Know

    According to a report by Jason Schrier from Bloomberg, Sony has scrapped two unannounced live service games following “a recent review.” One of these projects was a live service version of God of War, which was being developed by Bluepoint Games and had been in the works for at least a couple of years before Sony decided to cancel it.

    Bluepoint’s Notable Works

    Bluepoint is known for their work on the Demon’s Souls remake, the remaster of Shadow of the Colossus, and The Uncharted Collection for the PlayStation 4. The second significant project was under development at Bend Studio, which is famous for titles like Syphon Filter and Days Gone.

    Future of the Studios

    Sony has not confirmed if there will be any job cuts but stated that it has no plans to close down the studios. They mentioned they are “working closely with Bend and Bluepoint to determine what are the next projects.” The company aims to “ensure there is minimal business impact.”

    Changes in Live-Service Game Plans

    In 2023, Sony revealed it was developing at least twelve live-service games (via The Verge) based on its well-known franchises. However, by the end of that same year, Video Games Chronicle reported that this number had been reduced to six.

    Starting off 2024, Sony achieved a successful launch with Helldivers 2. Although the game faced various controversies, it effectively resolved them and sold over 12 million copies. Another live service title they released in 2024, Concord, unfortunately, became one of the biggest failures in gaming history, being removed from all online platforms just two weeks after its release.

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