has finally launched, and after a long wait there were some seriously big boots to fill. Ahead of its launch, we compiled everything we knew about the game so you could access all the information in one place.

Use the environment. You've got big guns, you've got Stratagems, you've got reinforcements from teammates, but you've also got the environment to utilize. As you roam the map, you might find items you can pick up and throw, such as explosive tanks.

You can still extract once the timer has run out. But if you do, you lose the ability to use your Stratagems. This might make the wait for the extraction ship a little more challenging as you fight off enemies, but it's also worth going to unlock the "In the nick of time" achievement.

There’s really not much to explain upfront. It’s the future, and Earth – now known as Super Earth – considers itself under threat from alien monsters on distant planets – planets that just happen to be rich in mineral deposits. You start out with a basic spaceship and a rudimentary warrior, then you select a world to visit and a mission to undertake, then touchdown on the surface to begin educating the locals in the joys of militarised democracy.

Its transition from a isometric co-op shooter to a third person co-op shooter makes a gigantic difference in gameplay even if the goal of spreading freedom and democracy is the same. Helldivers 2 Story

We're still making our way through Helldivers 2, so be sure to check back soon for even more helpful tips and tricks as we Helldivers 2 Gameplay discover them!

will heavily rely on cooperation between you and your comrades in order to take down incoming hordes of enemies. Because of this, communication and teamwork are key, but that doesn’t mean the missions you embark on will be easy.

offers the opportunity to customize your weaponry to your playstyle, so you’re free to play around and find a style that suits you so you can confidently take part in the Galactic War. 

Tempest 3D AudioTech on compatible headphones Listen out for alien footsteps, incoming attacks, and distant, desperate screams for help from Helldivers wandering away from their squad mates.1

smartly lets this tone seep into every crack and crevice that shows off even a hint of personality. Characters invade alien planets and scream about liberty and napalm strikes are an unlockable weapon.

As for the story ahead, all I can say is that the galaxy will look very different a few months from now than it does today.

Your strategy also depends on which mission you’re taking on, and you do need to consider your armor alongside your weapons. As stated in the co-op and combat trailer, each mission will require specific load-outs which are worth considering, so you’ll need to get really familiar with your available equipment in order to successfully take down any larger enemies.

Fast loading Can’t wait to get into the action? That’s the Helldiver spirit. Dive straight into the next thrilling battle for freedom with lightning-fast load times.

The gameplay loop is so tight, it would be laughably slim in the wrong hands. You team up, hit the planet, kill things, collect stuff then extract to count your earnings and buy better weapons. Repeat until exhausted. Levelling up unlocks new collections of deadlier hardware, but it’s basically the same thing over and over again until the planet has been “liberated” and you and all the other players in the world move on to another (yes, there’s a global real-time battle map, with every participant contributing to the intergalactic, ahem, peace effort).