15 Games Like Helldivers 2 You Need to Play in 2026

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

GameCore SimilarityBest For
Deep Rock GalacticTeam missionsMining chaos
Warhammer 40K: DarktideCo-op hordesMelee combat
Left 4 Dead 2Horde survivalClassic co-op
Starship Troopers: ExterminationBug swarmsTheme match
Earth Defense Force 5Chaotic combatOver-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

GamePricePlatformsBest For
Deep Rock Galactic~$29.99PC, PS4, PS5, XboxMining missions
Darktide~$39.99PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/SMelee combat
Left 4 Dead 2~$9.99PC, Xbox 360, Xbox OneClassic co-op
Back 4 Blood~$59.99PC, PS4, PS5, XboxCard builds
Payday 2~$9.99PC, PS4, Xbox One, SwitchHeists
Risk of Rain 2~$24.99PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox, SwitchRoguelike runs
Remnant 2~$49.99PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/SBoss fights
Outriders~$59.99PC, PS4, PS5, XboxAggressive combat
Destiny 2FreePC, PS4, PS5, XboxRaids
Starship Troopers~$29.99PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/SBug swarms
EDF 5~$49.99PC, PS4, SwitchChaotic combat
Aliens: Fireteam~$39.99PC, PS4, PS5, XboxXenomorph swarms
GTFO~$39.99PCHardcore difficulty
Killing Floor 2~$29.99PC, PS4, PS5, XboxGore combat
WarframeFreePC, PS4, PS5, Xbox, SwitchFast 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.