Helldivers 2's Major Patch Is Still to Come. Players Return to The Game
Players welcomed the game's new balance with enthusiasm, but this isn't the end of the changes the developers promised to make within 60 days.
Huge balance patch finally restored players' faith in Helldivers 2. Arrowhead studio is experiencing its most successful day since June 11, with over 68,000 Steam users simultaneously playing the game at its peak today.
This is more than the release of Escalation of Freedom attracted, and in recent weeks the number of people in the game didn't exceed 40,000. Moreover, the companion app for Helldivers 2 showed that at one point over 80,000 people were fighting for Democracy (via Reddit).
This is still less than the army of players diving onto planets in the first weeks after the premiere, but such a result was enough for the game to jump a few places in the Steam ranking.
Too many toys
At the moment, this surge of players hasn't been reflected in the game feedback on Valve's platform. Partly, it's the effect of the confusion with the regional blockade (yes, it still hasn't been resolved, although at this point it's already a matter of Sony's decision). Some players also complain about errors, which the developers had already informed about before the premiere.
However, a quick look at social media shows that fans are more than happy. Players are eagerly testing the equipment buffed in the latest update. And there is a lot of it - from flamethrowers and rifles, to stratagems, grenades, and mines. Especially thermite grenades: previously their explosion was just a bonus, but now it deals much more damage (2000 instead of 100).
This isn't the only change from version 01.001.100. New half-ton Eagle bombs, orbital gas attack, Railgun – there are so many positive changes that some players are having trouble choosing equipment for missions to test on bugs and bots.
Day 60 patch on the way, players want new challenges
Johan Pilestedt confirmed on Reddit that Arrowhead Game Studios is still working on the "day 60 patch" as promised a few weeks ago. This is not yesterday's update. The Swede didn't reveal details, but promised that the patch will bring more exciting changes. Elsewhere, the creative director confirmed that the studio is targeting, among other things, the LIFT-850 Jump Pack.
Of course, developers must first deal with the bugs (not Terminids) plaguing the defenders of Democracy. Pilestedt also informed about a "shameful" mistake related to the force field generator. Now, they are practically immune to close combat attacks.
As the developer explains in response to a user's post, the engineers of Super Earth indeed outdid themselves - "but it's not very patriotic to go over budget in manufacturing of each unit." Many players would like to see similar narrative explanations on the official change logs.
The creative director also referred to people who, after strengthening the forces of Democracy, are looking for a bigger challenge. Pilestedt agrees that Helldivers 2 needs a new, higher level of difficulty. He also didn't deny that the changes from yesterday's update are "4 months" late.
