UPDATE 2/28: Server stability is steadily improving, however matchmaking/SOS beacons are still spotty and games are often plagued by connectivity issues in the evenings. Most of the issues seem to surround the friends list not updating consistently or games being reported by the server that no longer exist. Changing my review to a recommendation because the game works fine the majority of the time.

UPDATE 2/19: The servers have been capped at 450k Helldivers by the developers. They have implemented an exponential backoff, which means that it's basically up to the lottery whether or not you get in at any given moment (there is no queue, as is commonly thought). Additionally, when you do get in, matchmaking is a crap-shoot, so you might wind up playing alone.

The CEO of Arrowhead is on record on Twitter as saying you should probably save your money until the servers are fixed if you're on the fence. I concur with that assessment.

UPDATE 2/16: And just like that, the server issues disappeared. As of today, most things seem to work mostly seamlessly! And what a game it is too.

Okay, so here's the thing: The honeymoon is over after about a dozen missions. I'm not going to say I've seen everything the game has to offer, but I can definitely say, based on what's been published about the game and the way it's structured, that the general vibe won't change much over the course of the game's lifespan.

This is a session based PvE game with randomly generated missions that you can hot-drop into with your friends. Yes, it is repetitive. Yes, it is mostly running the same missions over and over. However, the systems surrounding these basics are incredibly well built out: There are well defined progression systems for you, your destroyer and your strategems. The missions themselves are insanely well paced and nearly always engaging. Live game masters keep the games and world interesting too! Plus, the entire experience, end-to-end, has a pitch-perfect presentation. It isn't going to have the longevity of something like Destiny, but for what it is -- a fun chaotic co-op romp that lasts 20-30 minutes and that you can go back to over and over.

I don't have any further reservations recommending it. I think of it something like Sea of Thieves or Deep Rock Galactic. For the price of 40 bucks, I think that's fair.

UPDATE 2/28: Server stability is steadily improving, however matchmaking/SOS beacons are still spotty and games are often plagued by connectivity issues in the evenings. Most of the issues seem to surround the friends list not updating consistently or games being reported by the server that no longer exist. Changing my review to a recommendation because the game works fine the majority of the time. UPDATE 2/19: The servers have been capped at 450k Helldivers by the developers. They have implemented an exponential backoff, which means that it's basically up to the lottery whether or not you get in at any given moment (there is no queue, as is commonly thought). Additionally, when you do get in, matchmaking is a crap-shoot, so you might wind up playing alone. The CEO of Arrowhead is on record on Twitter as saying you should probably save your money until the servers are fixed if you're on the fence. I concur with that assessment. UPDATE 2/16: And just like that, the server issues disappeared. As of today, most things seem to work mostly seamlessly! And what a game it is too. Okay, so here's the thing: The honeymoon is over after about a dozen missions. I'm not going to say I've seen everything the game has to offer, but I can definitely say, based on what's been published about the game and the way it's structured, that the general vibe won't change much over the course of the game's lifespan. This is a session based PvE game with randomly generated missions that you can hot-drop into with your friends. Yes, it is repetitive. Yes, it is mostly running the same missions over and over. However, the systems surrounding these basics are incredibly well built out: There are well defined progression systems for you, your destroyer and your strategems. The missions themselves are insanely well paced and nearly always engaging. Live game masters keep the games and world interesting too! Plus, the entire experience, end-to-end, has a pitch-perfect presentation. It isn't going to have the longevity of something like Destiny, but for what it is -- a fun chaotic co-op romp that lasts 20-30 minutes and that you can go back to over and over. I don't have any further reservations recommending it. I think of it something like Sea of Thieves or Deep Rock Galactic. For the price of 40 bucks, I think that's fair.