One of 2015's best shooters is getting a sequel on PS5 and PC, and it only took 8 years

Helldivers 2
(Image credit: Arrowhead)

Helldivers, the well-received twin-stick shooter we haven't seen since 2015, is getting a third-person sequel on PS5 and PC.

Helldivers 2 was one of the earliest games shown at today's live PlayStation Showcase, and it looks much more ambitious than even the Dive Harder Edition of the original, which has racked up some impressive reviews on Steam alone. 

With something of an Earth Defense Force vibe, Helldivers 2 asks players to explore the galaxy and introduce hostile bug-like creatures to the "sophisticated technology" of Super Earth. We're fully in over-the-shoulder territory now, but it looks like co-op is back. 

"True to both our studio and to the Helldivers legacy, this will be a heart-pounding, high-intensity, friendly-fire-enabled feast of cooperative destruction," developer Arrowhead says in a new blog post. "Players will again assume the role of galactic peacekeepers and soldiers on behalf of Super Earth, but with some serious upgrades." 

Apparently that release gap wasn't a bunch of waiting around; Arrowhead says this thing's had an "eight-year development cycle," with former narrative and VO producer Alex Bolle leading the project. 

"[Our CEO Johan Pilestedt] always talks about the ‘tingle in the butt’ that you should feel while playing: being on the edge of failing an operation, but bursting into laughter because a Warrior sent your friend flying away in a silly ragdoll move," Bolle says. "That’s the feel we want to get.”

Helldivers 2 is coming to PS5 and PC in 2023. 

Here are all the games shown and announced at the PlayStation Showcase 2023

CATEGORIES
Austin Wood
Senior writer

Austin has been a game journalist for 12 years, having freelanced for the likes of PC Gamer, Eurogamer, IGN, Sports Illustrated, and more while finishing his journalism degree. He's been with GamesRadar+ since 2019. They've yet to realize his position is a cover for his career-spanning Destiny column, and he's kept the ruse going with a lot of news and the occasional feature, all while playing as many roguelikes as possible.

Read more
Four Helldivers lined up on base ship
Less than a year after launching 2024's best live service, Helldivers 2 creative director has already started working on "the next Arrowhead game"
Helldivers 2 screenshot showing a fully geared/armored diver standing with gun in hand as three jets soar the skies behind him
Sony has just announced a Helldivers 2 film adaptation following the game's record-breaking release, but fans are saying the same thing
Helldivers 2 screenshot showing a fully geared/armored diver standing with gun in hand as three jets soar the skies behind him
Arrowhead CEO assures Helldivers 2 fans the online shooter will stay live "as long as people play" it: "If we can keep it going for 10 years we will"
A Helldiver holding a flag in a promotional image for Helldivers 2.
Helldivers 2 only had 20 devs working on it when development began, but High Command is now over 6 times larger and has continued to expand since launch
Helldivers 2 screenshot showing a fully geared/armored diver standing with gun in hand as three jets soar the skies behind him
Arrowhead reveals the Helldivers 2 ideas left on its cutting room floor, from 5-player squads to low-gravity planets and a whole new armor system
Helldivers 2
Helldivers 2 has an endgame problem, but a developer assures us "things are coming," they just can't say what yet because otherwise our expectations will be too high
Latest in Gaming
FGS Spring 2025
How to watch The Future Game Show Spring Showcase 2025 – and what to expect
Image of the Death Stranding 2 On The Beach Collector's Edition on a purple GamesRadar background.
Death Stranding 2 collector's edition is a sight to behold and here's where to pre-order yours
GDC The Game Developers logo
When is the Game Developers Conference 2025 and why is it so interesting?
Pokemon Legends: Z-A screenshot
Everything announced at Pokemon Presents 2025
Saros screenshot featuring the main character and am imposing monster in the background with a swirling void in its chest and multiple arms with balls of fire
Everything announced at the PlayStation State of Play February 2025
Close up shot of an anime schoolgirl with a superhero mask over her eyes in a screenshot from Mightreya.
My Steam wishlist is bigger than ever thanks to the indie devs flooding social media with 15-second clips explaining their games
Latest in News
Diablo 4 lunar event
Blizzard came up with Diablo 4's most powerful item modifiers at the last minute: "Literally, we had 2 weeks left in the development schedule"
New History of the DC Universe #1
Almost 90 years of DC history will be refined into an official timeline in New History of the DC Universe: "It's a chance to realign all of DC's sprawling continuity into one master timeline"
Super Mario 64
Blindfolded Super Mario 64 speedrunner declares "70 Star is DEAD" after he "absolutely obliterated" his old record
Dungeon Fighter Online
One of the oldest action MMOs around gets its first level cap update in years: "The main focus of this update is to emphasize the core RPG experience - the fun of farming"
Ghost Rider facing down Galactus
Ghost Rider takes on Galactus in the Marvel Universe's most one-sided fist fight this summer
Balatro Joker card
Balatro's first big update is still on track for 2025, but it'll be "done when it's done, because it's got to be good before it's fast"