Helldivers 2, the cooperative multiplayer game, has encountered significant challenges following its launch weekend. Players experienced extensive wait times and difficulties joining squads due to a new server cap and malfunctioning matchmaking system. These issues have led to a decline in the game’s Steam rating, which fell by 10%, shifting from “Mostly Positive” to “Mixed” as a result of player frustration.
Not a Typical Review Bombing
Contrary to some opinions, the influx of negative reviews does not constitute a typical review bombing campaign, which is often orchestrated to deliberately harm a game’s reputation for ulterior motives. Rather, players have expressed legitimate grievances regarding server limitations and matchmaking problems. Despite these critiques, many still praise Helldivers 2’s gameplay, citing it as excellent when accessible.
Review Trends and Player Response
The tide of negative reviews surged on February 18, coinciding with persistent matchmaking issues. Before the troublesome weekend, the game received about 1,000 negative reviews daily, with a peak on launch day. Subsequently, the daily rate of negative reviews more than quadrupled. Nevertheless, alongside the criticism, there has been an uptick in positive feedback, underscoring that players do enjoy the game when they can participate, especially with friends.
Despite the setbacks, the game is far from defeated. Even during these trials, Helldivers 2 attracted a record peak of over 411,000 concurrent players on Steam alone. This demonstrates the game’s enduring appeal and the community’s eagerness to experience it at its best.
Hope is on the horizon, with the production team rolling out updates aimed at resolving the login, matchmaking, and server load issues. These fixes are part of a continuous effort to enhance the game experience over the coming weeks. Meanwhile, players are finding workarounds by sharing friend codes on platforms like Discord and Steam, allowing them to bypass the broken matchmaking and enjoy the game together.
Helldivers 2’s initial launch difficulties have not deterred its players, who remain committed to the game. With the promise of impending improvements, many in the community are hopeful for a resolution that will allow them to fully engage in the game’s co-op action without the hindrances that have marred its release.
