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Helldivers 2 Board Game: Exclusive Hands-On Preview

by Eleanor Apr 09,2025

Last year's breakout multiplayer game, Helldivers 2 by Arrowhead, captivated players with its mission to spread democracy across the stars through intense combat against aliens and robots. Now, Steamforged Games, fresh from their successful adaptation of Elden Ring into a board game, is bringing the fast-paced and frenetic experience of Helldivers 2 to the tabletop. The board game is currently available for backing on Gamefound. IGN had the opportunity to play a prototype and discuss the game with its designers, Jamie Perkins, Derek Funkhouser, and Nicholas Yu.

Helldivers 2: The Board Game

17 ImagesDevelopment of Helldivers 2: The Board Game began shortly after the video game's launch last year. It successfully captures the essence of the video game, including tense firefights, chaotic surprises, and a teamwork-centric experience, while adding its own unique twists.

Helldivers 2 remains a cooperative, objective-based skirmish game designed for one to four players. The designers suggest solo players use two characters. Each player assumes the role of a different class of Helldiver, equipped with unique perks, action cards, and a powerful "Act of Valor" ability used once per game. The demo featured the Heavy, Sniper, Pyro, and Captain classes. Players outfit themselves with primary, secondary, and support weapons, grenades, and three strategems, with recommended loadouts provided on their class cards, though seasoned players can customize their kits.

Gameplay unfolds on grid-based boards that expand as players explore, revealing sub-objectives and primary objectives, such as destroying Terminid hatcheries in the prototype. As players progress, tougher enemies spawn, and a mission timer adds urgency, keeping the game tense and fast-paced. The full release will offer multiple objectives, and the base game includes two main factions: Terminids and robotic Automatons, each with 10 unit types. There's potential for the Illuminate faction to be added via an expansion.

The adaptation focuses on tactical close-up combat with progressively challenging enemies, rather than overwhelming players with sheer numbers. Turns involve players and enemies adding action cards to a pool, which are shuffled and placed onto an initiative tracker, similar to Steamforged's Elden Ring game. Every four action cards played triggers a random event, adding chaos and excitement to the gameplay.

Combat for Helldivers is dice-based, with each weapon determining the type and number of dice rolled. Damage is calculated by the total roll value, with every five points inflicting a wound on enemies. This straightforward damage system enhances the gameplay experience, emphasizing the Helldivers' elite status. Friendly fire is possible, adding a strategic layer to the game.

A standout feature is the 'Massed Fire' mechanic, designed to replicate the teamwork of the video game. When a player targets an enemy, other Helldivers within range can join the attack, encouraging group play and reducing downtime between turns.

Nic explained, "In the video game, you're encouraged to work together as a team. For heavily armored enemies, you need to flank and target weak points if you don't have support weapons. In the board game, 'Massed Fire' allows other Helldivers to focus fire on the same target, incentivizing teamwork."

While players can explore solo, the 'Massed Fire' mechanic enhances group play and engagement. Enemies, however, have simpler mechanics, dealing set damage or effects, with players drawing wound cards that impose negative effects. Characters die after three wounds but can respawn based on the chosen difficulty, restoring their full loadout.

One aspect not included in the board game is the galactic war from the video game. The designers chose to focus on a unique experience, positioning the board game as a training simulation for Helldivers.

Jamie shared, "We're positioning it as a training simulation. Helldivers would use this board game to hone their skills."

The designers, Nic, Jamie, and Derek, have ensured that despite the new medium, the game retains the essence of Helldivers. Nic emphasized, "We wanted to keep the unexpected challenges, stratagems that might backfire, and the dwindling reinforcements pool, which are uniquely Helldivers."

Derek added, "We focused on the core loop of mission objectives and exploring points of interest while dealing with enemies."

Currently, the game's core mechanics are about 75-80% finalized, allowing for community feedback and potential adjustments. Despite concerns about tariffs affecting the board gaming industry, Jamie assures that their plans remain on track.

My experience with the prototype was enjoyable, with the random events and 'Massed Fire' mechanic leading to thrilling moments. However, I felt the game could benefit from more small enemies to clear out and a bit more complexity in enemy combat to match the game's chaotic nature.

I'm excited to see what Steamforged Games has planned for Helldivers 2. The prototype has left me eager to explore new classes, game types, and combinations of enemies and biomes. My friends and I are already planning our next mission.