It Involves Arrowhead Copying Bungie

Helldivers 2 has taken the gaming world by storm, establishing itself as one of the most engaging co-op shooters in recent memory. While Space Marine 2 continues to impress players with its faithful adaptation of the rich Warhammer 40K universe, there’s one bold move that could elevate Arrowhead’s democracy-spreading simulator to legendary status.

The success of Helldivers 2 isn’t just about its satisfying gameplay or the constant stream of unannounced content updates. It’s about the rich universe that Arrowhead has created, filled with satirical propaganda, over-the-top patriotism, and more than enough lore for a chaotic co-op multiplayer-focused game.

But what if we told you there’s an untapped goldmine of potential here, and the blueprint for success was written over a decade ago?

Learning from Bungie’s Masterclass

When we look at how successful franchises have expanded their universes, few examples shine as brightly as Bungie’s work with Halo. The studio didn’t just create a series of games; they built a universe that could support multiple stories from different angles. And perhaps their greatest achievement in this regard wasn’t Master Chief’s saga, but rather a more focused, character-driven narrative: Halo: Reach.

Imagine a Helldivers 2 prequel that takes us back to the first contacts with the Terminids or the Automatons. A single-player campaign that shows us how Super Earth became the hyper-militaristic, propaganda-driven society we know and love. The potential for storytelling here is enormous—especially given the game’s already rich background of dark humor and social commentary.

The beauty of this approach is that it wouldn’t need to compromise the current game’s tone or structure. Just as Halo: Reach maintained the series’ core DNA while telling a completely different kind of story, a Helldivers 2 single-player expansion could explore new narrative territories while keeping the franchise’s signature style intact.

Building a Super Earth-Sized Universe

Warhammer 40K: Space Marine 2 has shown us just how powerful a well-crafted single-player experience can be, especially when it’s built upon decades of established lore. While Saber Interactive had the advantage of drawing from the vast Warhammer 40K universe, Helldivers 2 has the unique opportunity to build its universe from the ground up, unrestricted by existing canon.

Think of it as Halo meets The Boys—a universe where the line between heroism and fanaticism is deliberately blurred, and where the propaganda machine works overtime to keep the citizens of Super Earth believing in their cause. The possibilities are endless: origin stories of legendary Helldivers, detailed accounts of failed colonies, or even tales from the perspective of reformed “bugs.”

The key is maintaining that delicate balance between serious storytelling and satirical commentary that makes Helldivers 2 so special. It’s not just about expanding the universe; it’s about enriching it in ways that complement and enhance what players already love about the game.

Whether through a standalone single-player campaign or a broader media expansion, the potential for the title to grow beyond its current boundaries is immense. And if Arrowhead takes notes from Bungie‘s playbook while adding their own unique flavor, we might just see the birth of gaming’s next great franchise.

What direction would you like to see Helldivers 2 take? Should Arrowhead focus on expanding the universe through games, or branch out into other media? Let us know in the comments below!