Summary
While players already expect more content and features to come toHelldivers 2in future updates, the game is currently fully-released, instead of being in early access. With this in mind, the current amount of content in the game is rather lacking in a few areas. Specifically,Helldivers 2’s equivalent of a Battle Pass has some merits, but it ultimately seems to be caught between a rock and a hard place for the time being.
AfterHalo Infiniteswitched to a permanent Battle Passprogression system, the ambitious prospect of this feature has caught many gamers' attention. DespiteHalo Infinite’s permanent Battle Passes being locked behind a paywall, a Battle Pass that doesn’t expire otherwise seems like a unanimously favorable alternative to limited-time Battle Passes. However, much like Halo Infinite,Helldivers 2goes to show that while a permanent Battle Pass has its advantages, it often isn’t without a catch.
Helldivers 2’s Permanent Battle Pass System Is a Double-Edged Sword
The Pros of Helldivers 2’s Battle Pass System
Naturally, the main appeal of a Battle Pass that doesn’t expire is that it eliminates FOMO for players who have limited playtime. Seasonal events in video games are a slippery slope because, on the one hand, they can be highly enjoyable, but on the other hand, they compete with a player’s limited playtime in other games just for the sake of earning exclusive rewards. SinceHelldivers 2’s Battle Passes are permanent, this isn’t a problem, so players are free to hop into the game and earn rewards on their own schedule.
Another advantageous feature ofHelldivers 2’s Battle Passes is that players can accelerate their progress by playing on harder difficulties to earn increased quantities of Warbond Medals. While there aremicrotransactions inHelldivers 2, the game currently doesn’t allow players to skip levels or shortcut their progression in the Battle Passes with premium currency, which is understandable considering that the Battle Passes are one of the main progression systems in the game.
The Cons of Helldivers 2’s Battle Pass System
The main downside toHelldivers 2’s Battle Passes is that they discourage solo play since the higher difficulty levels aren’t as accessible for solo players as the lower difficulties are. The higher tiers of the Battle Passes require an increasing number of Warbond Medals to unlock each item, so players who don’t regularly play on the harder difficulties will have to play many more missions to be able to earn sufficient amounts. WhileHelldivers 2is ultimately an online-only cooperative game, it might have been wise to be more inclusive to solo players in hindsight ofHelldivers 2’s Server instability issuessince the game’s launch.
Additionally, the Battle Passes that are currently available inHelldivers 2have a relatively underwhelming variety of rewards. While there is anticipated to be more Battle Passes added in future updates, the expensive price of the current Battle Passes’ higher tiers arguably doesn’t feel justified between the variety of rewards and how expensive they can be to unlock. Even while earning increased Warbond Medals from playing on the harder difficulties, missions can often take around an hour each to complete, which is a commitment that some players can’t regularly afford.
Considering that the Battle Passes are one of the main progression systems where players unlock new armor andweapons inHelldivers 2, the current lack of variety can be quite frustrating for players who purchase the game at launch expecting more. Not to mention, compared to the originalHelldivers,Helldivers 2is currently missing out on a few signature features, like rideable exosuit mechs and expanded weapon variety.
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.
