Helldivers 2 Board Game: Exclusive Hands-On Preview

Last year's breakout hit in the multiplayer gaming world was Arrowhead's *Helldivers 2*, a game that championed spreading democracy across the galaxy through intense firefights with aliens and robots. Now, following their successful board game adaptation of *Elden Ring*, Steamforged Games is bringing the fast-paced, frenetic action of *Helldivers 2* to the tabletop. You can now back this exciting new board game on Gamefound. IGN had the privilege of playing a prototype and discussing the game with designers Jamie Perkins, Derek Funkhouser, and Nicholas Yu, delving into what makes this adaptation stand out.

Helldivers 2: The Board Game

17 ImagesDeveloped shortly after the video game's launch, Helldivers 2: The Board Game captures the essence of its source material—the tension of firefights, the chaos of unexpected events, and the importance of teamwork—while introducing unique twists to the formula.

Helldivers 2 remains a cooperative, objective-based skirmish game where one to four players (with solo players recommended to use two characters) work together to achieve their goals amidst swarms of enemies. Players choose from different classes like Heavy, Sniper, Pyro, and Captain, each equipped with unique perks, action cards, and a one-use "Act of Valor" ability. Players assemble their kits with primary, secondary, and support weapons, grenades, and three strategems, guided by recommended loadouts but with the flexibility to customize once familiar with the game.

Gameplay unfolds on grid-based boards that expand as players explore, revealing sub-objectives and primary mission locations like Terminid hatcheries to destroy. As exploration progresses, tougher enemies spawn, and a mission timer adds urgency, keeping the gameplay tense and fast-paced. The final release will offer multiple objectives, with the base game featuring two main enemy factions: Terminids and Automatons, each with ten unit types. While not confirmed, an expansion might introduce the Illuminate faction.

A key curiosity in adapting Helldivers 2 to a board game was how it would replicate the feeling of being overwhelmed. Unlike games like Zombicide, which use sheer numbers, Helldivers 2 opts for a more tactical approach with fewer but stronger enemies, enhancing the challenge as missions progress.

Turns involve players and enemies adding action cards to a pool, which are shuffled and placed on an initiative tracker, similar to Steamforged's Elden Ring game. Every four cards played trigger a random event, adding unpredictability and excitement to the game. Combat mechanics rely on dice rolls, with each weapon determining the type and number of dice used. Damage is straightforward—every five points rolled equals one wound on an enemy. This system avoids the complexity of modifiers and defense values, ensuring players always hit but with varying damage output. Friendly fire is possible, adding a strategic element to combat.

A standout feature introduced by the designers is the 'Massed Fire' mechanic, designed to replicate the teamwork seen in the video game. Nic Yu explained, "In the video game, you're encouraged to work together as a team... So what we implemented was 'massed fire,' allowing other Helldivers within range to join in on targeting an enemy, explicitly rewarding group play." This mechanic not only encourages cooperation but also reduces player downtime, enhancing the overall experience.

Enemies, however, have more straightforward mechanics, dealing set damage or effects, with players drawing wound cards that cause detrimental effects. If a player accrues three wounds, their character dies but can respawn based on chosen difficulty levels, fully replenished.

One aspect of the original game that didn't transition to the board game is the galactic war. Jamie Perkins shared a fun piece of lore, positioning the board game as a training simulation for Helldivers, adding a unique flavor to the adaptation.

Despite the new medium, the designers aimed to retain the core Helldivers experience. Nic emphasized, "We wanted to make sure that even though we had different mechanics, it felt like Helldivers—with unexpected events, stratagems that could misfire, and a dwindling pool of reinforcements." Derek added, "We knew we needed to keep the core loop of what Helldivers is with mission objectives and points of interest to chase."

Currently, the game's core mechanics are about 75-80% finalized, allowing for community feedback and potential adjustments. Jamie reassured that recent tariff issues won't impact their plans, and they're moving forward as intended.

After playing the prototype, the systems in place, like random events and the Massed Fire mechanic, lead to epic moments. However, while the tactical focus with larger enemies is appreciated, the game could benefit from more smaller enemies to enhance the chaotic feel of the video game. Additionally, more dynamic enemy attack mechanics could align better with the game's overall excitement.

Excitement builds for what Steamforged Games has planned next for Helldivers 2. The prototype experience has left us eager to explore new classes, game types, and combinations with different enemies and biomes. The question on everyone's lips is, "Where are we dropping next?"