The first Helldivers game came out 10 years ago for the PS4, with a PC version released a few months later. It was a fun top-down shooter that featured split-screen co-op multiplayer. It would be another nine years until we see the sequel called Helldivers 2.
While Helldivers sold over 4 million copies worldwide as of 2024, Helldivers 2 obliterated sales records by selling around 17 million units across both the PS5 and PC platforms. Instead of being a top-down shooter, Helldivers 2 uses a more traditional third-person shooter perspective.
It goes without saying that Helldivers 2 was a huge success, but some Xbox gamers got jealous because it wasn’t available on their platform. Since the game is published by Sony Interactive Entertainment, this was understandable.
However, things have changed over the last couple of years because many games are showing up on rival platforms now. Microsoft has released Forza Horizon 4, Indiana Jones, and Gears of War on the PS5. To reciprocate this, Sony finally decided to port Helldivers 2 to the Xbox Series X/S platforms in 2025.
FutureFive NZ reviewed the PS5 version of Helldivers 2 already, and we gave it a respectable 8.5/10. This is the exact same score we gave the first Helldivers back in 2015. Now let’s dive in to see how the game fares over on an Xbox Series X console.
The first thing Xbox gamers will have to know before playing Helldivers 2 is that they need to buy an active online subscription before they can play this game. The cheapest online subscription on Xbox right now is Xbox Game Pass Core. This tier allows you to play some Game Pass games as well as get the privilege to play paid online multiplayer games.
Another thing Xbox gamers need to know is that Helldivers 2 is a game catered towards online co-op gameplay. While it’s entirely possible to try to play this game solo, the missions are quite hard to play by yourself. Trust me, I’ve tried playing solo missions many times and have always been unsuccessful at completing them!
The first time I booted up the Xbox version, I was only able to pair up with one other person. The two of us managed to complete the mission, but we died when we tried to extract ourselves from the planet. The mission was still successful, though, because we both earned an Xbox achievement for it.
To anyone out there planning to buy Helldivers 2, I recommend you to have either three or four players on your team. The game is easy to join because you can search for ongoing missions to join. If you see a team is short of four players, you can join in and help them out at any time.
The great thing about Helldivers 2 is that it supports crossplay across PC, PS5, and Xbox players. I remember my online buddy and I playing in a team with a level 100 player. We were on Xbox, but I’m pretty sure the level 100 guy was a PC or PS5 player.
The reason it’s cool to play with higher-level players is that they have access to better weapons and equipment called Strategems in this game. Low-level players like me only have access to a machine gun, a shield, and ammo restocks.
For higher-level players, they can unlock rocket launchers, flamethrowers, turrets, airstrikes, and loads more. The cool thing is that all players have access to reinforcements, which means you can revive dead players up to 20 times per team. Once you revive a team 20 times, no more reinforcements are available.
The other cool thing about playing Helldivers 2 in 2025 is that the game has evolved a lot since February 2024. I experienced new types of missions and loads of different enemies compared to a year ago.
Not to mention, the player count is still pretty high because over 600,000 people have bought the Xbox version of the game already. You don’t have to worry about this game “dying” like Concord…
In terms of performance, the Xbox Series X version can handle both 60fps and 120fps. For Xbox Series S players, they can play in either 30fps or 60fps. That being said, the graphics are a little rough, and it’s not fully optimised at the moment. Hopefully, Arrowhead Game Studios can fix the visual problems with future patches.
Two other small flaws include the online servers and the lack of split-screen multiplayer. The first Helldivers had couch co-op, and I’m still disappointed this sequel does away with that. As for the servers, it can be annoying when they muck up because you cannot play the game at all unless the servers are working 100%.
Aside from some small flaws, I believe many Xbox owners will love the chaotic missions in Helldivers 2. If Arrowhead Game Studios can support the game with new missions, it can be enjoyable for many years.
Verdict: 8.5/10
