TLDR: Because of community pressure, LIBERTY, FREEDOM and MANAGED DEMOCRACY, Sony has reversed their decision to require linking a PSN account to play on PC. However there are still 180 countries still delisted. WHEN the game can once again be purchase in those 180 countries I will change my review to positive once again. HOWEVER, Sony has yet to keep their word as of SEPT 29, 2024, FOUR MONTHS after Sony took players money then effectively torpedoed their ability to play what they bought. I WILL NOT ENDORSE THIS GAME WHILE SONY HAS YET TO KEEP THEIR WORD.

[Optimisation Settings For Helldivers Having FPS Issues] :

• Object Detail Quality : High
• Render Distance : Ultra
• Shadow Quality : Medium or High
• Particle Quality : Low or Medium
• Reflection Quality : Low or Medium
• Space Quality : Low
• Ambient Occlusion : On
• Screen Space Global Illumination : Off
• Vegetation and Rubble Density : High
• Terrain Quality : Medium or High
• Volumetric Fog Quality: Low
• Volumetric Cloud Quality : Lowest
• Lighting Quality: Medium or High
• Anti Aliasing : On (personal preference)
• Motion Blur: Off (set to zero)

*UPDATE PATCH 1.001.102*
Recoiless = delete button
20+ weapons and stratagems are buffed. MULTIPLE loadouts are viable. Enemies got nerfs, especially bots. Some might feel the game has become too easy but overall it's more fun. With platoons (clans) just around the corner and the game being in a very good state it's just a shame they have yet to address the game STILL being delisted in more than 100 countries.

*UPDATE PATCH 1.001.002 Escalation of Freedom*
Welcome bug fixes. Difficulty 10 is the exact same as Difficulty 9 except it has a super fortress/bug hive. The bonus for Difficulty 10 is a bonus objective which gives extra samples but there still isn't any progression making them more useful after unlocking everything. Nerf to fan favorite Breaker Incendiary which doesn't make sense with next warbond being fire themed. Nerf to grenade pistol but it's not too bad, still doesn't make sense. It's as if to avoid power creep they nerf what people like to use without buffing anything as an alternate. Assault Rifles all suck compared to other options, the only exception might be the Sickle because it has infinite ammo if used properly. Overall disappointing IMO. Oh, also the game is STILL DELISTED IN 180 COUNTRIES 3 MONTHS LATER...

*UPDATE PATCH 1.000.405*
More bug fixes. Next update promises difficulty 10, new enemies, quality of life and performance improvements. No word on the 100 delisted countries from Arrowhead or Sony.

*UPDATE PATCH 1.000.404*
PC improvements & bug fixes (still have infinite helldive loading screen though) plus level 5 ship modules, most are pretty powerful and definitely worth grinding the samples to acquire. Dev team are currently on Summer vacation in Sweden, so new War Bond and content will hit a delay. However, the game is STILL delisted in over 100 countries 2 months later.

*UPDATE PATCH 1.000.400*
No nerfs. Only buffs. Game STILL delisted in over 100 counrties.

*UPDATE PATCH 1.000.304*
More bug and stability fixes. 180 countries STILL have Helldivers II delisted. I do not recommend this game until Sony fulfills their commitment to those players who bought their published game and allow them to play once more.

*UPDATE PATCH 1.000.302*
New warbond is OK. Most weapons are mid. Sony has yet to reinstate Helldivers 2 in 177 +3 countries where the game was delisted. Game is still great but I WILL NOT ENDORSE THIS GAME WHILE SONY HAS YET TO KEEP THEIR WORD.
I DO NOT RECOMMEND THIS GAME. DO NOT BUY IT. SONY CAN AND HAS ARBITRARILY REMOVED THE GAME FROM PEOPLE WHO THEY SOLD IT TO.

*UPDATE REVENGE of the 5th, 2024*
MANAGED DEMOCRACY WINS YET AGAIN! Sony has reversed their decision to force PC players to link a PSN account. Thank freedom, they listened to liberty.

*UPDATE PATCH 01.000.301*
Several weapon nerfs as well as buffs. Many are not happy with them. Quasar cd was increased 50% which is a big nerf but with my play style I don't notice it. A good alternative is having Expendable Anti-Tank strategem. 75 sec cd (with ship upgrade) means you can basically always have one when you actually need to use it.

THIS is where the mostly positive review ends for me. Recent changes to the ToS are BLATANTLY anti-consumer, purely to gather marketing analytics from PC players to use, sell or allow to get HACKED and region lockouts MANY countries from playing AFTER they have purchased and played for 3 months. I do not place blame on Arrowhead or their fantastic dev team. I will continue to play and support the devs and their labour of love that is Helldivers 2. However, as a direct result of SONY's decision to force a PSN account, I cannot in good conscious endorse this game.

*UPDATE PATCH 01.000.203*
If it's not already established, Helldivers 2 is a AAA at a AA price. For $40 you get a LOT of game for your dollar. Bug fixes and balancing continue. Fire dmg as of this patch is super cancerAIDS. Fire dmg WILL 1 shot you in 2 seconds. A nerf is on it's way as the devs, as sadistic as they are agree fire dmg is tweaked WAY too high. Premium Warbond Democratic Detonation is OK, nothing is MUST have. The most interesting thing is the GP-31 Grenade Pistol (3ed tier in the warbond). BR-14 Adjudicator Rifle, CB-9 Exploding Crossbow, G-123 Thermite Grenade are all mid. R-36 Eruptor Rifle is nice but handles like a dead otter, requiring skilled hands. It's meant as a long range weapon. Only 5 round clip but it can take out large enemies and medium armor pen with explosive trait. Pair it with a Sickle or shotgun if you feel extra spicy. Best thing from this update is the level 4 Ship Module upgrades. Priority should be for Eagle-1 module because Eagle-1 is best girl.

*UPDATE PATCH 01.000.200*
Positive and continuous improvements to bug fixes and balancing weapons.
Railgun + shield backpack meta is LONG gone. In it's place are several buffed weapons making for a more diverse and viable Helldiver loadout. The Spear is still the worst weapon in the game and has a targetting bug that makes it a weapon to avoid all together until it's fixed.
There are still persistent bugs which the devs are working on but have been around since launch.

*UPDATE*
TLDR: Still looks good. Still have problems getting into servers. Needs work with teaching tools, UI and HUD to learn what to do.

First impressions: I've finally played a bit. Getting on the servers is still an issue at times, especially during peak hours. Gameplay is fun but UI and HUD need work. Trying to complete objectives can be confusing. The HUD doesn't point to anything nor are objects you need to interact with highlighted when close, save a small indicator that can be easily missed. Perhaps this was an art direction choice, meant to make you feel like you signed up to join a war without knowing what you are doing (like most characters in Starship Troopers). I feel the game isn't intuitive enough to aid new players though. The gameplay feels very hands off in teaching you want to do. Still, it's fun but needs work.

*INITIAL IMPRESSIONS AT PURCHASE*
TLDR: Looks good, can't play because servers full. Wait until AFTER devs fix to buy.

I LOVE the atmosphere which is DEFINITELY NOT inspired by Starship Troopers.
However COMA I've literally been stuck at "servers at capacity" which I know the devs are working on but as of this review (which I may change later) I cannot in good conscious recommend at this time.
I am happy for the devs success but it's clear they weren't ready for it and as a result the game suffers.