Helldivers 2 is one of 2024's first surprise hits. Its predecessor was a twin-stick shooter released in 2015, but Helldivers 2 marks a huge departure for the series. The sequel is a co-op PVE shooter where players can team up with their friends to fight Automatons and Terminids. Two elements of the game that have stood out are its approach to sci-fi and the visceral nature of its combat. The game's humorous tone and Terminid enemies take heavy inspiration from the film Starship Troopers. Helldivers 2's sense of humor stands in stark contrast to the brutal combat, which is defined by its heavily weighted weapons, enemy dismemberment, and the extremely threatening and often overwhelming number of enemies players encounter.