One of the standout successes in the multiplayer gaming scene last year was Arrowhead’s *Helldivers 2*, a thrilling game where players spread democracy across the galaxy by engaging in intense firefights with aliens and robots. Following the success of their *Elden Ring* board game adaptation, Steamforged Games is now adapting *Helldivers 2* into a fast-paced, frenetic tabletop experience. The board game is currently available for backing on Gamefound. IGN had the opportunity to play a prototype and discuss the game with designers Jamie Perkins, Derek Funkhouser, and Nicholas Yu.
Helldivers 2: The Board Game
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Development on Helldivers 2: The Board Game began shortly after the video game's launch, capturing the essence of what made the original so popular: tense firefights, chaotic surprises, and teamwork. The board game offers its own unique tweaks to the formula, enhancing the overall experience.
Helldivers 2 is a cooperative, objective-based skirmish game for one to four players, with the designers suggesting solo players control two characters. Players assume the roles of different Helldiver classes, each with unique perks, action cards, and a one-time "Act of Valor" ability. The prototype featured classes like Heavy, Sniper, Pyro, and Captain. Players customize their kits with primary, secondary, and support weapons, grenades, and three strategems, with recommended loadouts provided but customizable once players become more experienced.
Gameplay unfolds on grid-based boards that expand as players explore, revealing sub-objectives and primary objectives, such as destroying Terminid hatcheries in the prototype. As the mission progresses, more challenging enemies spawn, and a mission timer adds urgency, maintaining the game's frenetic pace.
The prototype focused on a single objective—destroying Terminid hatcheries—but the final release will offer multiple options. The base game includes two main factions, Terminids and Automatons, each with 10 unit types. While not confirmed, expansions might introduce the Illuminate faction, given Steamforged Games' history with stretch goals.
A key curiosity was how the board game would replicate the video game’s sense of being overwhelmed and outnumbered. Unlike games like Zombicide, which rely on sheer numbers of weaker enemies, Helldivers 2 opts for fewer but stronger enemies, emphasizing tactical close-up fights.
Turns involve players and enemies adding action cards to a pool, which are then shuffled and placed on an initiative tracker, similar to Steamforged’s Elden Ring game. Combat relies on dice rolls, with every four action cards triggering a random event that can disrupt plans, such as spawning additional enemies.
On the Helldivers' side, combat involves rolling dice based on weapon type, with damage calculated from the total roll. Every five points inflicts a wound on an enemy, simplifying the damage system and keeping the focus on action rather than complex modifiers.
A new mechanic, 'Massed Fire,' introduced by the designers, captures the video game's team-based shooting. Nic explained, "In the video game, you're encouraged to work together as a team. When facing heavily armored enemies, you need to flank and shoot at weak points. In the board game, 'massed fire' allows other Helldivers within range to join in on the attack, rewarding teamwork." This mechanic reduces player downtime and enhances group play.
Enemy attacks are straightforward, with set damage or effects causing players to draw wound cards. Three wounds result in death, but players can respawn based on chosen difficulty levels, returning with a full load-out.
One aspect missing from the board game is the galactic war from the video game. The designers aimed to make the board game a unique experience, positioning it as a training simulation for Helldivers. Jamie shared, "We're positioning it as a training simulation to learn how to be a better Helldiver."
Despite the new medium, the designers have ensured the game retains the Helldivers feel. Nic emphasized, "We wanted it to feel like Helldivers, with unexpected events, stratagems that could go wrong, and dwindling reinforcements." Derek added, "We needed to keep the core loop of mission objectives and the thrill of chasing shiny objectives while dealing with enemies."
Currently, the game's core mechanics are about 75-80% complete, leaving room for community feedback and adjustments. Jamie reassured that despite recent tariffs affecting the board gaming industry, Steamforged Games' plans for Helldivers 2 remain unchanged.
After playing the prototype, the game's systems, like random events and the Massed Fire mechanic, promise epic moments. While the focus on tactical combat with stronger enemies is appreciated, more smaller enemies might enhance the chaotic feel of the video game. Additionally, more dynamic enemy attacks could align better with the game's overall chaos.
I'm excited to see what other surprises Steamforged Games has in store for Helldivers 2. The prototype has left me eager to explore new classes, game types, and combinations with different enemies and biomes. My friends and I are already planning our next mission.
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