Helldivers 2’s success came from understanding one thing: co-op works when friendly fire, communication, and chaos matter. The games below get that same insight. They prioritize team coordination, build around squad mechanics, and reward communication—exactly what made Helldivers 2 work.
Quick Comparison: Top 5 Picks
| Game | Core Similarity | Best For |
| Deep Rock Galactic | Team missions | Mining chaos |
| Warhammer 40K: Darktide | Co-op hordes | Melee combat |
| Left 4 Dead 2 | Horde survival | Classic co-op |
| Starship Troopers: Extermination | Bug swarms | Theme match |
| Earth Defense Force 5 | Chaotic combat | Over-the-top action |
1. Deep Rock Galactic
Why it’s similar
Deep Rock Galactic delivers co-op squad missions with teamwork focus and objective-based gameplay similar to Helldivers.
What makes it unique
Its procedurally generated caves create unique mission layouts each run with destructible terrain.
Key features:
- 4 classes with unique tools
- Mining and combat missions
- Co-op (up to 4 players)
Price: ~$29.99 | Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
2. Warhammer 40,000: Darktide
Why it’s similar
Darktide features co-op combat against waves of enemies with squad coordination and class roles.
What makes it unique
Its melee combat focus creates visceral close-quarters battles in Warhammer 40K’s grimdark universe.
Key features:
- 4-player co-op
- Class-based gameplay
- Horde combat
Price: ~$39.99 | Platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S
3. Left 4 Dead 2
Why it’s similar
Left 4 Dead 2 provides team-based survival against hordes requiring coordination and positioning.
What makes it unique
Its AI Director dynamically adjusts difficulty and enemy spawns creating varied playthroughs.
Key features:
- 4-player campaigns
- Special infected variety
- Versus mode
Price: ~$9.99 | Platforms: PC, Xbox 360, Xbox One (BC)
4. Back 4 Blood
Why it’s similar
Back 4 Blood offers modern co-op shooter gameplay with team synergy and loadouts with progression systems.
What makes it unique
Its card system creates build variety with deck customization affecting team abilities.
Key features:
- Card deck system
- 4-player co-op
- Special enemy types
Price: ~$59.99 | Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
5. Payday 2
Why it’s similar
Payday 2 delivers co-op missions with role-based gameplay where coordination and planning are required.
What makes it unique
Its heist structure creates stealth and loud gameplay options with varied approaches.
Key features:
- Heist missions
- Class builds
- Co-op (up to 4 players)
Price: ~$9.99 | Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One, Switch
6. Risk of Rain 2
Why it’s similar
Risk of Rain 2 provides co-op action with scaling difficulty and build-based progression during runs.
What makes it unique
Its roguelike structure creates permanent progression through unlocking items across runs.
Key features:
- Scaling difficulty
- Item synergies
- Co-op (up to 4 players)
Price: ~$24.99 | Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Switch
7. Remnant 2
Why it’s similar
Remnant 2 features co-op combat with boss fights and build customization with teamwork.
What makes it unique
Its procedurally generated worlds create unique encounters each playthrough.
Key features:
- Boss-focused combat
- Build variety
- Co-op (up to 3 players)
Price: ~$49.99 | Platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S
8. Outriders
Why it’s similar
Outriders delivers co-op shooter gameplay with abilities and builds focusing on team synergy and combat.
What makes it unique
Its aggressive combat design rewards close-range fighting rather than cover camping.
Key features:
- Class abilities
- Loot progression
- Co-op (up to 3 players)
Price: ~$59.99 | Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
9. Destiny 2
Why it’s similar
Destiny 2 provides co-op PvE missions and raids with class-based teamwork and abilities.
What makes it unique
Its MMO-lite structure creates long-term progression with seasonal content updates.
Key features:
- Raids and strikes
- Class builds
- Free-to-play base game
Price: Free-to-play (expansions extra) | Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
10. Starship Troopers: Extermination
Why it’s similar
Starship Troopers delivers squad-based combat against alien swarms with strong Helldivers-style theme.
What makes it unique
Its large-scale battles feature hundreds of bugs creating overwhelming swarm combat.
Key features:
- Bug swarm combat
- Base building elements
- Co-op (up to 16 players)
Price: ~$29.99 | Platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S
11. Earth Defense Force 5
Why it’s similar
EDF 5 features chaotic co-op battles against hordes with over-the-top weapons and enemies.
What makes it unique
Its B-movie presentation and absurd weapon variety create intentionally campy combat.
Key features:
- Massive enemy swarms
- Weapon variety (1,000+ weapons)
- Co-op (up to 4 players)
Price: ~$49.99 | Platforms: PC, PS4, Switch
12. Aliens: Fireteam Elite
Why it’s similar
Aliens: Fireteam Elite provides squad-based co-op against waves with tactical positioning and teamwork.
What makes it unique
Its Alien universe setting creates authentic xenomorph encounters with motion tracker tension.
Key features:
- Class-based gameplay
- Xenomorph swarms
- Co-op (up to 3 players)
Price: ~$39.99 | Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
13. GTFO
Why it’s similar
GTFO delivers hardcore co-op requiring communication with high difficulty and coordination.
What makes it unique
Its stealth-focused approach creates tense encounters where alerting hordes means failure.
Key features:
- Hardcore difficulty
- Stealth mechanics
- Co-op (up to 4 players)
Price: ~$39.99 | Platforms: PC
14. Killing Floor 2
Why it’s similar
Killing Floor 2 offers wave-based co-op shooter gameplay with class roles and teamwork.
What makes it unique
Its gore system creates visceral combat with detailed enemy dismemberment.
Key features:
- Wave survival
- Class perks
- Co-op (up to 6 players)
Price: ~$29.99 | Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
15. Warframe
Why it’s similar
Warframe provides co-op missions with fast combat and build variety with progression.
What makes it unique
Its movement system creates parkour-style combat with wall-running and bullet-jumping.
Key features:
- Fast-paced mobility
- Warframe customization
- Free-to-play
Price: Free-to-play | Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Switch
Full Comparison Table
| Game | Price | Platforms | Best For |
| Deep Rock Galactic | ~$29.99 | PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox | Mining missions |
| Darktide | ~$39.99 | PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S | Melee combat |
| Left 4 Dead 2 | ~$9.99 | PC, Xbox 360, Xbox One | Classic co-op |
| Back 4 Blood | ~$59.99 | PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox | Card builds |
| Payday 2 | ~$9.99 | PC, PS4, Xbox One, Switch | Heists |
| Risk of Rain 2 | ~$24.99 | PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox, Switch | Roguelike runs |
| Remnant 2 | ~$49.99 | PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S | Boss fights |
| Outriders | ~$59.99 | PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox | Aggressive combat |
| Destiny 2 | Free | PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox | Raids |
| Starship Troopers | ~$29.99 | PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S | Bug swarms |
| EDF 5 | ~$49.99 | PC, PS4, Switch | Chaotic combat |
| Aliens: Fireteam | ~$39.99 | PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox | Xenomorph swarms |
| GTFO | ~$39.99 | PC | Hardcore difficulty |
| Killing Floor 2 | ~$29.99 | PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox | Gore combat |
| Warframe | Free | PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox, Switch | Fast mobility |
Conclusion: What to Play First
Your next game depends on what you valued most in Helldivers 2. Loved the chaotic combat? Go with Deep Rock Galactic. Preferred the teamwork challenge? Try GTFO. Either way, you’re covered—these games deliver.















