Helldivers 2 Overtakes God of War As PlayStation’s Biggest PC Launch

See full bio

Avinash Jaisrani

At HI Digital I test and write about different hardware configurations to show other PC users what they can expect from their build. My end goal is to educate the masses to make the right decision when they are looking for new PC parts to buy

See full bio

Helldivers 2 has immediately made a name for itself on PC. As PlayStation’s first day-one launch on the platform, the game is proving that this strategy is worth trying in the future.

The co-op shooter was already Steam’s best-seller one day before launch. It also became PlayStation’s third-biggest Steam launch within two hours. However, Helldivers 2 has smashed another record, becoming PlayStation’s biggest release on Steam.

Why it matters: PlayStation’s recent PC releases have not found much of an audience, so expectations were not particularly high from Helldivers 2. However, the game has managed to surprise everyone.

Previously, this title was held by God of War, with 73.5K peak concurrent players. Helldivers 2 has eclipsed this player count by around 8K additional players, reaching 81.8K concurrent players four hours ago.

It combines over-the-top spectacle, co-op gameplay, and a comedic tone reminiscent of classic action movies on a small budget. The gameplay is engaging enough on its own, but the focus on co-op elevates the experience.

Helldivers 2 also marks a significant departure from its predecessor, encouraging new players to jump in. While the original game offered a top-down gameplay perspective, its sequel is based on third-person gameplay, similar to most shooters on the market.

This change makes the game more accessible to a wider audience, and these figures further highlight this point. Meanwhile, the game’s Steam reviews have also seen an improvement.

The game launched to mixed reviews, and while the overall rating is still mixed, over 66% of the reviews are now positive, marking a major improvement compared to the first day.

Players appear to be finding incredible joy in facing hordes of bugs with friends, making Helldivers 2 one of the most fun experiences of 2024 so far.

The game has set an encouraging precedent for future PlayStation games on PC. PlayStation will likely look toward finding similar success for its future releases on the platform as it continues to experiment with live service games based on different genres.

Avinash Jaisrani

[How-To Guides Expert]

Laiba, our tech guru at HI Digital, simplifies and crafts How-To Guides with a Google IT Support Certificate. Beyond tech, she captures the city’s aesthetics through her lens. Join her journey where tech meets creativity!

Get In Touch: Laiba@hidgt.com