Helldivers 2 Board Game: Exclusive Preview

One of last year’s breakout successes in the multiplayer gaming scene was Arrowhead’s Helldivers 2, a title that promised to spread democracy across the stars by blasting aliens and robots with countless rounds of ammunition. Following their massive board game adaptation of Elden Ring, Steamforged Games is once again diving into the world of video game adaptations with Helldivers 2: The Board Game. Currently live on Gamefound, this tabletop version offers fans a chance to engage with the franchise in a new format. IGN had the opportunity to test a prototype of the game and spoke with designers Jamie Perkins, Derek Funkhouser, and Nicholas Yu about this fresh take on the beloved IP.

Helldivers 2: The Board Game

Developed soon after the launch of the video game last year, Helldivers 2: The Board Game captures the essence of its digital counterpart, delivering intense firefights, chaotic surprises, and a strong emphasis on teamwork. The board game introduces its own twists to the formula while staying true to the spirit of the original.

Helldivers 2 remains a purely cooperative, objective-driven skirmish game for one to four players (designers recommend solo players control two characters). Players work together to complete objectives while fending off waves of enemies and dealing with random events. Each participant assumes the role of a distinct Helldiver class, complete with unique abilities, action cards, and a powerful “Act of Valor” ability that can only be used once per game. During my session, I tried out the Heavy, Sniper, Pyro, and Captain classes. Each character has a customizable loadout, including primary and secondary weapons, grenades, and three strategems, with suggested setups listed on their class cards. However, experienced players can tweak these choices based on strategy.

Gameplay unfolds on modular grids that expand as players explore, revealing hidden sub-objectives and primary objective locations. In my prototype, the goal was to destroy Terminid hatcheries. As exploration progresses, tougher enemies emerge, and the ticking mission timer adds urgency, ensuring games remain fast-paced and nerve-wracking.

The prototype featured a single objective, but the final product will include multiple scenarios. Enemy diversity includes two of three factions—Terminids and Automatons—with each faction boasting ten unique units. While Steamforged Games often introduces expansions through stretch goals, it’s likely we’ll see the Illuminate join the fray eventually.

A key concern when adapting a game like Helldivers 2 to the tabletop was maintaining its signature sense of overwhelming odds. Would the board game rely on sheer numbers, similar to the Zombicide series, or adopt a more strategic approach akin to Nemesis? Developers chose the latter, emphasizing tactical combat with increasingly formidable foes appearing as missions progress.

Turns involve players and enemies contributing action cards to a shared pool, which is shuffled and placed on an initiative tracker (similar to Steamforged’s Elden Ring board game). Combat hinges on dice rolls, with each weapon determining its damage output. For every five points rolled, a single wound is inflicted on the enemy. I found this system intuitive, avoiding unnecessary complexity while preserving the thrill of rolling dice.

An innovative feature is the “Massed Fire” mechanic, designed to replicate coordinated assaults seen in the video game.

“In the video game, teamwork is crucial,” Nic explained. “When facing tough enemies, you need to flank them or use support weapons. But replicating that in a board game without cumbersome mechanics proved tricky. So we introduced ‘Massed Fire.’ When one player targets an enemy within range of another Helldiver’s weapon, both can focus their shots simultaneously. This encourages collaboration while rewarding teamwork.”

Players retain the freedom to operate independently if desired, but the Massed Fire mechanic minimizes downtime, keeping everyone engaged during others’ turns—a welcome improvement.

Enemies follow straightforward rules: they inflict predetermined damage or effects based on their cards, prompting players to draw wound cards. Each wound triggers negative consequences, and accumulating three results in death. Fortunately, respawning is possible depending on the chosen difficulty level, allowing players to return with full resources intact.

One aspect absent from the board game is the galactic war narrative central to the video game. Developers opted against including this element to preserve the game’s uniqueness rather than duplicating the source material.

Jamie shared a clever nod to the lore: “We’re framing it as a training simulation for new recruits. Think of it as a tool to prepare future Helldivers.” Let’s hope we see this meta-storyline reflected in future video game updates.

Credit goes to the design team for creating a game that feels authentic yet refreshingly distinct. The prototype impressed with its random events and Massed Fire mechanic, generating thrilling moments. That said, I’d love to see more chump enemies on the board to unleash satisfying mass eliminations with friends. Additionally, introducing varied outcomes for enemy attacks could enhance combat dynamics.

Steamforged Games continues to refine the game, with approximately 75-80% of the core mechanics locked in—a comfortable position for launching their crowdfunding campaign. Community feedback, balance tweaks, and creative ideas will shape the final product. Despite concerns over tariffs affecting the board gaming industry, the team remains undeterred, pressing forward with confidence.

My time with the prototype left me eager to explore new classes, encounter diverse scenarios, and combine everything into unforgettable sessions. My friends and I are already planning our next drop zone.

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