Last year's breakout hit in the multiplayer gaming world was Arrowhead’s Helldivers 2, a thrilling game that had players spreading democracy across the galaxy with copious amounts of gunfire aimed at aliens and robots. Following their successful adaptation of Elden Ring into a board game, Steamforged Games is now turning their attention to the fast-paced, action-packed world of Helldivers 2. The board game adaptation is now available for backing on Gamefound, and IGN had the opportunity to play a prototype and discuss it with the designers Jamie Perkins, Derek Funkhouser, and Nicholas Yu.
Helldivers 2: The Board Game
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Shortly after the video game's launch last year, development on Helldivers 2: The Board Game began, aiming to encapsulate the essence of what made the original so engaging. The board game successfully recreates the intense firefights, chaotic surprises, and team-oriented gameplay of the video game, with some unique twists to enhance the experience.
Helldivers 2 remains a cooperative, objective-based skirmish game, accommodating one to four players (with solo players encouraged to use two characters). Each player assumes the role of a different Helldiver class—Heavy, Sniper, Pyro, and Captain in the demo—each equipped with unique perks, action cards, and a one-per-game "Act of Valor" ability. Players can customize their kits with primary, secondary, and support weapons, grenades, and three strategems, though recommended loadouts are provided on class cards.
Gameplay unfolds on grid-based boards that expand as you explore, revealing sub-objectives and primary mission locations, such as Terminid hatcheries in the prototype. As the mission progresses, tougher enemies spawn, and a round limit adds urgency and tension to the gameplay.
While the prototype focused on destroying Terminid hatcheries, the full game will offer multiple objectives. The base game will feature two main factions—Terminids and Automatons—each with 10 unit types. Although not confirmed, there's a possibility that the Illuminate faction may be introduced through an expansion, given Steamforged's history with stretch goals.
The board game adaptation tackles the video game's sense of being overwhelmed through tactical close-combat with progressively challenging enemies, rather than relying on sheer numbers. 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. Combat relies on dice rolls, and every fourth action card triggers a random event that can disrupt plans, adding to the game's excitement.
On the Helldivers' side, combat involves rolling dice based on weapon type and number, with damage calculated by total roll values—every five points inflicts a wound. The game simplifies combat by ensuring hits, focusing on the impact of the damage. Friendly fire is a risk, but sometimes necessary to take down tough enemies.
A notable new feature is the 'Massed Fire' mechanic, designed to replicate the teamwork of the video game. Nic Yu explained, “In the video game, you're encouraged to work together as a team. If you have a heavily armored enemy, you need to flank and shoot at weak points. We implemented 'massed fire,' allowing other Helldivers within range to focus fire on the same target, incentivizing group play.” This mechanic reduces player downtime and encourages active participation during others' turns.
Enemy attacks, however, feel somewhat static, with fixed damage or effects. Players draw wound cards, which impose negative effects, and three wounds result in death. However, depending on chosen difficulty, players can respawn with a full loadout.
One aspect of the video game not included in the board game is the galactic war. Jamie Perkins noted that this was omitted to ensure the board game feels unique, positioning it as a training simulation for Helldivers.
Nic emphasized the team's commitment to maintaining the Helldivers feel despite the new medium, “We wanted to ensure that, despite different mechanics, it still felt like Helldivers—with unexpected events, stratagems that might misfire, and dwindling reinforcements.” Derek Funkhouser added, “We knew we needed to keep the core loop of Helldivers with mission objectives and the thrill of chasing shiny new targets, all while fending off enemies.”
Currently, the game's core mechanics are about 75-80% finalized, allowing room for community feedback and balance adjustments. Jamie assured that despite recent concerns about tariffs affecting the board gaming industry, Steamforged Games is moving forward as planned.
After playing the prototype, I found the systems engaging, particularly the random events and Massed Fire mechanic, which led to memorable moments. However, I felt the game could benefit from more smaller enemies to mow down and more dynamic enemy attacks. I'm excited to see what further surprises Steamforged has in store, eager to explore new classes, game types, and mix them with different enemies and biomes. My friends and I are already planning our next drop.
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