In 2024, Helldivers 2 claimed the prestigious Critics’ Choice Award at the Golden Joystick Awards, standing out among a slew of top-tier game releases. Unlike many other categories where player votes determine the winners, this particular award was decided by a panel of experienced journalists from notable gaming outlets like GamesRadar+, PC Gamer, Edge, and Retro Gamer. The game’s blend of humor, challenge, and cooperative gameplay impressed the judges, making it the clear winner in a competitive year.
The Helldivers 2 review, which awarded the game four stars, praised its breathtaking visuals and challenging mechanics. The game’s cooperative nature allows players to team up in a third-person shooter environment, where they face off against alien and robotic enemies in an intergalactic war. The difficulty of the game, combined with its visual appeal, makes failure amusing and success incredibly satisfying, creating a compelling loop that keeps both critics and players engaged throughout the year.
One of the standout features of Helldivers 2 is its squad-based gameplay. Players join the titular Helldivers, an elite team tasked with defending Earth from rising galactic threats. The game emphasizes teamwork, requiring players to collaborate closely to complete missions that range from exterminating alien species to securing vital resources. The cooperative aspect is key to its design, offering both a strategic challenge and a sense of camaraderie among players.
The dynamic narrative system in Helldivers 2 further sets it apart from other shooters. Unlike many games, where the story is set in stone, Helldivers 2 allows the outcomes of missions to shape the direction of the plot. Successes or failures directly influence where the story goes next, giving players a sense of agency and making each mission feel consequential. This interactive storytelling helps maintain interest, as players’ actions leave a lasting impact on the game’s world.
As Helldivers 2 continued to evolve throughout the year, players tackled new challenges like the infamous Malevelon Creek and aided in the completion of a space station whose true nature remains mysterious. These ongoing updates and the game’s emphasis on player-driven narrative progression contributed to its widespread appeal, ultimately leading to its well-deserved recognition at the Golden Joystick Awards.
