Despite being met with relatively positive reviews when the game first launched in February 2024,Helldivers 2has found itself in a tough situation lately. More specifically,Helldivers 2has been met with a steadily dropping player count and increasingly negative reviews due to backlash caused by recent updates to the game.
Needless to say, a little positivity could go a long way toward alleviating all theongoingHelldivers 2controversies. One way thatHelldivers 2could shake things up in a fun way is to learn from all the best parts of an otherwise controversial feature inDestiny 2, post-match commendations. Even beyond relating to the current drama surrounding the game, this kind of addition could work wonders forHelldivers 2in the long run.
The Case for a Post-Mission Commendations System like Destiny 2’s in Helldivers 2
Helldivers 2 Could Learn from Destiny 2’s Commendations System
WhenDestiny 2first introduced commendations, this feature wasn’t very well-received. What was expected to be nothing more than an optional way to collect compliments from teammates after completing endgame content turned out to be another unnecessary meta-progression system. In other words, most players weren’t happy about having to rely on other teammates’ commendations to climbDestiny 2’s Guardian Ranks system. The impact thatDestiny 2’s commendationshave on players’ Guardian Ranks has been dialed way back since this feature was introduced to the game, but these two progression systems haven’t been completely separated, so it still remains a divisive addition to the game.
In hindsight ofDestiny 2’s history with commendations, iffuture updates forHelldivers 2introduce commendations, it should arguably be done as an optional feature and avoid any ties to an overarching progression system. Although the current state ofHelldivers 2’s endgame progression arguably leaves much to be desired, it should avoid making the same mistakes thatDestiny 2made regarding commendations. Limiting commendations to an optional feature might not be the best way to encourage players to participate in this new system, but it would probably be for the best.
Commendations Could Be What Helldivers 2’s Community Needs Right Now
Naturally, a commendations system inHelldivers 2could include common praises for teammates who got the highest kill counts or contributed the most to the main/side objectives in a given mission. At the same time, commendations could also embrace the fun of some of the community’sbestHelldivers 2memeswith silly commendations, such as:
Helldivers 2doesn’t have much in the way of in-game social platforms to be able to display a player’s earned commendations yet, but even privately, it would still be interesting to see which commendations players have earned the most of, right alongside other stats that the game currently tracks, like kills, deaths, and accidental team-kills. Until such a thing comes to the game, players could still compare stats aboard their Super Destroyer ships between missions inHelldivers 2.
With right now being such a delicate moment in the game’s lifecycle, shortly after theEscalation of Freedom update, now is as good a time as any to experiment with this kind of team-building feature in the game to reinforce the community’s morale. However, such a feature could prove to be a timeless addition to the game that future updates forHelldivers 2should consider introducing, even long after the current controversy settles down. While this kind of addition to the game may not be something worth prioritizing over other, more pressing issues that the community has been calling for, it could still prove to be a worthwhile feature nonetheless, especially if it brings players together.
Helldivers 2
WHERE TO PLAY
Do you believe in freedom? Can you stand in the face of oppression – and defend the defenceless? Wage war for peace. Die for democracy.Join forces with up to three friends and wreak havoc on an alien scourge threatening the safety of your home planet, Super Earth, in this multiplayer co-op shooter for PS5 and PC from Arrowhead Game Studios.Step into the boots of the Helldivers, an elite class of soldiers whose mission is to spread peace, liberty and Managed Democracy using the biggest, baddest and most explosive tools in the galaxy.Helldivers don’t go planet side without proper backup, but it’s up to you to decide how and when to call it in. Not only do you have a host of superpowered primary weapons and customizable loadouts, you also have the ability to call on stratagems during play.Helldivers 2 features Arrowhead’s best cooperative gameplay yet. Collaboration will be vital: Teams will synergize on loadouts, strategize their approach for each mission and complete objectives together.1Enlist in Super Earth’s premier military peacekeeping force today. We are heroes… we are legends… WE ARE HELLDIVERS.
