Helldivers 2 Or Deep Rock Galactic?

2024 started with a bang for us, gamers, with the release of Helldivers 2 back in February. This third-person shooter, co-op multiplayer game took the market by storm. But, Helldivers 2 isn’t the first horde shooter game where we fight against bugs and automatons. Previously, we had Deep Rock Galactic. So, which one should you choose? Helldivers 2 or Deep Rock Galactic?

But first, if you felt disappointed when you opened the Helldivers 2 Steam store page, you’re not alone. Especially, if you’re a potato PC owner. There’s nothing you can do except stare at the wall. Still, the desire to shoot bugs remains. So, how can you have a similar insect extermination experience without burning down your PC? We dig deeper, literally.

In Deep Rock Galactic, you are an employee of a space mining company, and a dwarf for some reason. But, it is your duty, and your dwarven co-workers, to explore caves deep below the planet’s crust. All the while, waves of bug swarms will try to overwhelm you. The good thing is Deep Rock Galactic’s specification is way easier on your device.

Specification Comparison

As you can see, the difference between the two games is quite stark. Of course, graphically speaking, Helldivers 2 is the superior game. But, hold on, nobody said digging through uncharted caves and hearing the echoes of “Rock And Stone!” every five minutes ain’t fun.

Deep Rock Galactic Gameplay Loop

Let’s talk about what really matters, the gameplay. At a glance, the premise for each gaming session for these two games is quite similar. You pick a mission, blast the enemies with friends or solo, complete the objectives, and then get out ASAP.

The missions are the core of Deep Rock Galactic’s gameplay. With various missions to pick, such as collecting minerals, hunting alien eggs, and escort duty, you can choose whatever floats your boat. The difficulty, map complexity, and mission duration are always randomized periodically.

Now, if you and your friends are ready, simply walking into the pod after selecting the mission will bring you diving into the caves waiting below. If you’re playing alone, you’ll get Bosco, an intelligent robot who happily helps you complete the mission. So, technically, you won’t ever be alone.

Each cave is procedurally generated. So, you won’t ever meet the same cave layout. Each cave’s aesthetic depends on what biome you’re diving. Whether you fight bugs or some form of machinery, depends on the mission and the biome. Nonetheless, always shoot them in the face.

Deep Rock Galactic Character Class

In contrast to Helldivers 2, Deep Rock Galactic has character classes. Helldivers 2 allows for more customizable character build by choosing a combination of weapons and stratagem. Meanwhile, Deep Rock Galactic offers four character classes, each with unique abilities.

For each mission, you can pick the gunner, a killing machine that can turn any swarm of bugs into a pile of goo in no time. The driller, can traverse by digging tunnels and terraform just about anything. The engineer who deploys the turret strategically deploys lures to distract enemies and makes for a strong support class. Or, the scout, who can zip around any open space with speed and agility.

Despite being a fast-paced co-op multiplayer game, Deep Rock Galactic wants you to enjoy the power scaling process. Every level-up and weapon upgrades are locked behind game progression.

Interestingly, the cosmetics in this game are also locked behind character progression. So, naturally, your dwarves will get stronger and get more luscious beards just by playing.

A Possible Crossover?

The gameplay of Helldivers 2 and Deep Rock Galactic is quite similar. Both are horde shooter games with an emphasis on replayability and multiplayer experience. Maybe, the Rock and Stone! community will get along well with the Super Citizens. In fact, there were talks about a possible crossover.

Ghost Ship Games, the developer of Deep Rock Galactic, showed their enthusiasm for a collaboration with Arrowhead, Helldivers 2’s developer. The resemblance of the two games and the wholesomeness of both games’ communities make these two games sound like a match for enjoyable collab content.

Deep Rock Galactic is a testament to how iconic indie games can be. And, with huge support and funding, we can get something like Helldivers 2. It seems like indie games are taking over the industry, and who knows? Maybe someday they’ll replace the AAA titles.