Select Games to Compare
Benchmark your exact mobile GPU wattage (TGP), battery throttling drops, and cooling pad requirements for these games.
Helldivers 2 vs Just Cause 3
| close | close |
|---|---|
| shopping_cart Where to Buy | |
| info General Information | |
| Release Date | |
| Feb 8, 2024 | Dec 1, 2015 |
| Developer | |
| Arrowhead Game Studios | Avalanche Studios |
| Publisher | |
| Sony Interactive Entertainment | Square Enix |
| Genre(s) | |
| Cooperative Extraction Shooter / Third-Person Shooter | Action-Adventure, Open World, Sandbox, Third-Person Shooter |
| Engine | |
| Proprietary Engine | Apex Engine (Avalanche Engine) |
| stars Ratings & Price | |
| Content Rating | |
| Mature 17+ | M (Mature 17+) - ESRB Descriptors: Blood, Intense |
| Avg. User Rating | |
| 4.5 / 5.0 | 3.7 / 5.0 |
| Current Price (USD) | |
| $39.99 | $29.87 |
| tune Key Specs | |
| Quick Highlights | |
|
|
| sports_esports Gameplay & Mechanics | |
| Companions/Followers | |
|
|
| Key Collectibles | |
|
|
| Key Themes | |
|
|
| colorize Combat & Gear | |
| Weapons Overview | |
|
|
| Armor / Gear Sets | |
|
|
| Outfits/Customization | |
|
|
| trending_up Progression & Upgrades | |
| Skills & Progression | |
|
Progression in Helldivers 2 entirely bypasses traditional character skill trees in favor of a complex horizontal progression system driven by Warbonds and Ship Modules. Players enhance their combat effectiveness by unlocking new primary weapons, secondary sidearms, and deployable stratagems. A critical component of player upgrades is the Ship Module system, which permanently enhances the capabilities of the orbiting Super Destroyer. By extracting Common, Rare, and Super Samples from the battlefield, players can purchase modules like the Targeting Software Upgrade to reduce orbital deployment times, or Synthetic Supplementation to reduce sentry cooldowns by 10%. Additionally, armor selection acts as a surrogate skill system. Each armor piece provides distinct passive traits such as 'Democracy Protects' (a 50% chance to survive lethal damage) or 'Electrical Conduit' (granting 95% resistance to arc damage). Understanding the intricate Durable Damage paradigm and properly equipping armor traits that synergize with specific environments or enemy factions are the true measures of a player's strategic skill. |
N/A |
| public World & Exploration | |
| World & Level Design | |
|
Helldivers 2 abandons static maps in favor of expansive, procedurally generated combat zones set across diverse planetary biomes. Each mission drops players into vast operational areas that span several square kilometers, offering a highly dynamic topographical experience. These regions are populated with randomized enemy outposts, tactical objectives, and points of interest that encourage thorough exploration. The terrain itself is highly malleable; real-time terrain deformation allows orbital bombardments and explosives to blast permanent craters into the environment, fundamentally altering the battlefield layout. Planetary conditions heavily dictate map traversability. For example, some regions feature dense jungle foliage that blocks line-of-sight and physically impedes movement speed, while others consist of frozen tundras that affect weapon heat management. The sheer size of these procedural maps requires strategic navigation, as players must manage their stamina, utilize the topography for physical cover, and meticulously plan their extraction routes while avoiding massive roaming patrols of Terminids or Automatons. |
N/A |
| Playable Vehicles | |
|
|
| Notable Fauna/Mounts | |
|
N/A |
| book Story & Characters | |
| Main Characters | |
|
|
| Example Missions | |
|
|
| people Multiplayer | |
| Multiplayer Details | |
|
Helldivers 2 is fundamentally a dedicated cooperative multiplayer experience, entirely eschewing competitive Player versus Player (PvP) modes in favor of a unified Player versus Environment (PvE) extraction shooter format. The core gameplay loop involves squads of up to four Helldivers deploying onto procedurally generated planetary surfaces to complete a variety of high-stakes objectives. While the game does not feature distinct "modes" in the traditional sense, the mission variety serves the same purpose. Players can engage in massive, 40-minute strategic operations requiring the destruction of enemy infrastructure and the launch of ICBMs, or participate in frantic, 12-minute blitz extractions and localized eradication defense missions. The entire multiplayer ecosystem is tied into the Galactic War metagame, meaning every successful mission completion contributes to a global planetary liberation percentage. While players can set their matchmaking lobbies to "Private" to attempt solo operations, the punishing difficulty scaling, lack of AI teammates, and complex enemy armor mechanics heavily incentivize active four-player cooperative multiplayer. |
Just Cause 3 is officially a single-player only experience. While Avalanche Studios did not develop official multiplayer, a popular fan-made multiplayer mod was created and released for the PC version by the modding community, enabling unofficial online experiences. |
| extension Editions & DLC | |
| Available Editions | |
|
Helldivers 2 eschews the standard array of confusing, fragmented game editions, offering a straightforward entry point that is supplemented by an expansive, permanent DLC economy known as Warbonds. Unlike contemporary live-service titles that rely on FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out) and expiring seasonal battle passes, the Warbonds in Helldivers 2 are permanent procurement catalogs that can be unlocked at any time. The baseline progression path, 'Helldivers Mobilize', is included for all players. Additional content is categorized into Premium (requiring 1,000 Super Credits) and Legendary tiers. These premium Warbonds—such as Steeled Veterans, Democratic Detonation, and Viper Commandos—introduce specialized armaments, unique armor passives, and specific strategic utility. Because Super Credits can be scavenged during regular gameplay, players have the option to unlock these "editions" of content purely through dedicated playtime. This horizontal progression system ensures that new players can access the same mechanical tools and specialized gear as veterans without being locked out of past seasonal content. |
Just Cause 3 was released with a Standard Edition and a Day One Edition (included Weaponized Vehicle Pack). The XL Edition bundled the base game with the 'Air, Land & Sea Expansion Pass.' The XXL Edition (often available digitally) typically includes the base game, the Air, Land & Sea Expansion Pass, the Weaponized Vehicle Pack, and the Explosive Weapon Pack. |
| Post-Launch Content / DLC | |
|
The post-launch content strategy for Helldivers 2 is aggressively expansive, driven entirely by the continuous rollout of new Warbonds and massive, free systemic updates dictated by the unfolding Galactic War. The game features over a dozen distinct Warbonds, including Premium offerings like Cutting Edge, Polar Patriots, Truth Enforcers, and the Legendary-tier Servants of Freedom. These DLC packages introduce new primary weapons, sidearms, passive armor traits, and boosters. Beyond paid Warbonds, Arrowhead Game Studios continuously injects major narrative and mechanical updates. The "Escalation of Freedom" update introduced gargantuan enemy outposts, new environmental hazards, and unprecedented difficulty tiers. Furthermore, community-driven objectives have unlocked entirely new gameplay mechanics, such as the permanent integration of Exosuit mechanized warfare (Exo-45 Patriot, Exo-59 Emancipator). Ongoing data leaks and in-game environmental anomalies strongly suggest the imminent, free addition of a highly anticipated third enemy faction, the Illuminate, which will drastically alter the strategic landscape of the entire game. |
The primary post-launch content was the 'Air, Land & Sea Expansion Pass,' which included three major story-driven DLCs: 'Sky Fortress' (introducing a jet-powered, weaponized Bavarium Wingsuit and missions against aerial Sky Sentinels), 'Mech Land Assault' (allowing players to pilot powerful Mechs equipped with gravity guns on the new island of Lacrima), and 'Bavarium Sea Heist' (featuring a heavily armed rocket boat, the 'Loochador,' the Eden Spark lightning gun, and missions against Di Ravello's offshore Bavarium research facility, The Stingray). |
| help_outline FAQ | |
| Frequently Asked Questions | |
|
|
| build Technical Details | |
| Graphics & Visual Fidelity | |
|
Powered by a highly customized proprietary engine, Helldivers 2 delivers an absolutely stunning visual experience that pushes the boundaries of real-time physical simulation and particle effects. The transition to a third-person perspective allows for breathtaking environmental rendering across diverse, procedurally generated terraformed biomes. The game's visual identity is defined by its incredible volumetric lighting, dynamic weather systems, and massive-scale destruction. Orbital bombardments do not merely create visual explosions; they violently deform the terrain, blasting permanent, physically simulated craters into the ground. Armor and weaponry feature incredibly high-fidelity textures, showcasing scratches, mud, and the visceral viscera of defeated enemies accumulating over the course of a mission. The visual effects associated with energy weapons, atmospheric re-entry of hellpods, and the cascading fireballs of the 500KG bomb are spectacular, though they demand significant GPU power. To maintain this fidelity, enthusiast hardware relies on rapid asset streaming from high-speed SSDs to prevent stuttering during chaotic, particle-heavy engagements. |
Utilizes the Apex Engine (Avalanche Engine) to render the large Mediterranean archipelago of Medici with diverse environments, from sunny beaches to snowy mountains. Known for its impressive physics-based destruction, allowing for creative demolition of structures and military assets. Visuals focus on vibrant colors and spectacular explosive effects. |
| Audio & Soundtrack | |
|
The audio design in Helldivers 2 is a critical component of both its immersive atmosphere and its tactical gameplay. The soundscape is intensely chaotic, perfectly capturing the overwhelming sensory overload of an active warzone. Weapon reports are incredibly punchy and distinct, allowing players to instantly identify which armaments their squadmates are firing. More importantly, audio cues are essential for survival. The horrifying shrieks of Terminid Stalkers, the heavy, metallic stomping of Automaton Hulks, and the distinct hum of charging energy weapons provide critical situational awareness in scenarios where visual line-of-sight is obstructed by weather or terrain. The musical score is equally impactful, featuring sweeping, bombastic orchestral arrangements that evoke feelings of militant patriotism and desperate heroism. The soundtrack dynamically shifts based on the combat intensity, seamlessly transitioning from tense, brooding atmospheric tracks during stealthy exploration to triumphant, brass-heavy anthems during frantic extraction phases, perfectly complementing the satirical, over-the-top tone of the Super Earth propaganda machine. |
Features an orchestral score composed by Henry Jackman, with additional music by Just Cause series composers. The music dynamically adapts to the on-screen chaos and action. Sound design emphasizes large-scale explosions, vehicle sounds, and weapon effects fitting the game's destructive nature. |
| User Interface (UI/UX) | |
|
The User Interface (UI) in Helldivers 2 is a masterclass in diegetic design and deliberate obfuscation, requiring players to actively decipher complex combat scenarios rather than relying on overwhelming on-screen statistics. Crucially, the game hides the intricate mechanics governing its combat. Enemies do not feature traditional health bars; instead, players must rely on visual and auditory cues—such as deflecting blue sparks, glancing white hitmarkers, or penetrating red hitmarkers—to determine if their weapon's Armor Penetration value is effectively overcoming the target's Armor Value. Furthermore, the UI completely obfuscates the critical "Durable Damage" mechanic, displaying only a weapon's standard damage output while hiding its efficiency against massive, non-vital tissue structures. When piloting Exosuits, players are similarly deprived of a health bar, forced to assess their vehicle's integrity based purely on visual indicators like internal fires and billowing smoke. This minimalist, immersive UI approach significantly heightens the tension and demands a deeper, more analytical understanding of the game’s underlying mathematical systems. |
The UI features a minimalist design to keep the focus on the action. Key elements include a map of Medici, objective markers, ammo/health indicators, a gear mod selection interface, and contextual prompts for grappling, parachuting, and wingsuiting. A 'Chaos' meter tracks destruction, unlocking missions and items. |
| Accessibility Options | |
|
While Helldivers 2 is renowned for its punishing difficulty and uncompromising cooperative mechanics, it incorporates several crucial accessibility features and strategic tools that accommodate diverse playstyles. The game offers fully remappable controls across both keyboard/mouse and gamepads, alongside adjustable UI scaling, text-to-speech functionality, and various colorblind filters to assist players with visual impairments. From a mechanical standpoint, the diverse array of Warbonds and Ship Modules allows players to tailor their loadouts to offset specific physical or reflex-based limitations. For example, players who struggle with precise twitch-aiming can utilize the ARC-12 Blitzer, which automatically chains lightning to targets, or deploy heavily armored Exosuits that provide massive firepower and protection without requiring intricate movement mechanics. Additionally, passive armor traits like 'Electrical Conduit' or 'Democracy Protects' offer substantial safety nets against friendly fire and sudden lethal damage, allowing players to actively mitigate the game's more frustrating, instant-death mechanics through deliberate loadout customization rather than raw mechanical skill. |
Just Cause 3 includes standard accessibility options for its time, such as subtitle display (on/off), remappable controls (keyboard & mouse, controller support), separate volume controls for master audio, music, SFX, and voice. Options like aim assist toggle and adjustable sensitivity are also present. Advanced features like colorblind modes or extensive UI scaling were not prominent. |
| video_library Media Links | |
| Gameplay Video | |
| launchWatch | launchWatch |
| Walkthrough/Guide | |
| launchView | launchView |
| settings_applications System Requirements | |
| 720p (HD) - Minimum (Target: 720p-1080p, Low-Medium settings, ~30 FPS) (Low to Medium Preset.) CPU: Minimum desktop CPU. CPU (Laptop): Estimated laptop CPU. Performance depends heavily on specific model's sustained clocks and cooling. GPU: Minimum desktop GPU with 2GB VRAM. GPU (Laptop): Targets playable framerates at 720p Low or 1080p very Low. **2GB VRAM is an absolute minimum and may require texture compromises.** Performance highly variable based on specific laptop GPU model and TGP. RAM: 6GB-8GB RAM. Dual-channel configuration highly recommended. | |
| — | memoryCPU: Intel Core i5-2500K, 3.3 GHz or AMD Phenom II X6 1075T 3.0 GHz developer_boardGPU: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 670 (2GB VRAM) or AMD Radeon HD 7870 (2GB VRAM) laptop_macCPU (L): Intel Core i5-4200M / AMD A10-7400P or newer mobile CPUs with at least 2 cores/4 threads. An Intel Core i5 U-series (6th gen+) or Ryzen 3 U-series (2000 series+) would be better. laptop_windowsGPU (L): NVIDIA GeForce GTX 860M (2GB), NVIDIA GeForce 940MX (GDDR5, 2GB); OR AMD Radeon R7 M440 (4GB, performance may vary). A GTX 960M (2GB/4GB) or GTX 1050 Laptop (2GB/4GB) would be a more comfortable minimum. layersRAM: 8 GB saveStorage (Tier): 54 GB available space (SSD Recommended) |
| 1080p (Full HD) - Recommended (Medium) CPU: Provides stable 60 FPS processing during moderate combat engagements. CPU (Laptop): Solid performance for medium settings targeting 60 FPS. GPU: Handles 1080p 60 FPS comfortably with standard lighting effects. GPU (Laptop): High TGP variant needed to sustain stable performance. RAM: Prevents memory-related stuttering during asset streaming. Storage: Required for smooth, hitch-free gameplay. | |
memoryCPU: Intel Core i7-9700K / AMD Ryzen 7 3700X developer_boardGPU: NVIDIA RTX 2060 / AMD Radeon RX 6600 XT laptop_macCPU (L): AMD Ryzen 7 5800H laptop_windowsGPU (L): NVIDIA RTX 3060 Mobile layersRAM: 16 GB saveStorage (Tier): 100GB SSD | — |
| 1080p (Full HD) - Minimum (Low) CPU: Handles baseline physics calculations but may struggle during massive bug breaches. CPU (Laptop): Requires stringent thermal management to prevent massive frame drops. GPU: Entry-level hardware capable of 30 FPS on minimal visual settings. GPU (Laptop): Must utilize low settings to maintain playable frame rates. RAM: Absolute minimum to boot the application; severe multitasking issues. Storage: HDD will cause severe stuttering; SSD is massively preferred. | |
memoryCPU: Intel Core i7-4790K / AMD Ryzen 5 1500X developer_boardGPU: NVIDIA GTX 1050 Ti / AMD Radeon RX 470 laptop_macCPU (L): Intel Core i7-9750H laptop_windowsGPU (L): NVIDIA GTX 1650 Mobile layersRAM: 8 GB saveStorage (Tier): 100GB HDD | — |
| 1080p (Full HD) - Recommended (Target: 1080p, High settings, ~60 FPS) (High Preset.) CPU: Recommended desktop CPU. CPU (Laptop): Recommended laptop CPU for a solid 1080p experience at higher settings. GPU: Recommended desktop GPU for 1080p High with 3GB+ VRAM. GPU (Laptop): Targets ~60 FPS at 1080p High. **Ensure adequate TGP for NVIDIA cards.** 3GB VRAM is a minimum for this tier on laptops, 4GB+ strongly recommended for smoother performance. RAM: 8GB RAM in dual-channel strongly recommended for optimal performance. | |
| — | memoryCPU: Intel Core i7-3770, 3.4 GHz or AMD FX-8350, 4.0 GHz developer_boardGPU: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 780 (3GB VRAM) or AMD Radeon R9 290 (4GB VRAM) laptop_macCPU (L): Intel Core i7-4700HQ / AMD Ryzen 5 1600U or newer performance mobile CPUs (e.g., Intel Core i5 H-series 7th gen+, AMD Ryzen 5 H-series 2000/3000 series+). laptop_windowsGPU (L): NVIDIA GeForce GTX 970M (3GB/6GB), NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 Max-Q (3GB/6GB), NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 Laptop (4GB); OR AMD Radeon RX 470 Mobile / RX 570 Mobile (4GB). layersRAM: 8 GB saveStorage (Tier): 54 GB available space (SSD Recommended) |
| 1440p (QHD/2K) - Performance (High) CPU: High IPC required for complex physics at higher framerates. CPU (Laptop): Sufficient for 1440p when paired with a robust GPU. GPU: Targets a stable 1440p 60 FPS with high particle and volumetric settings. GPU (Laptop): Maintains frame pacing under heavy graphical load. RAM: Standard requirement for high-fidelity asset caching. Storage: Crucial for rapid texture loading. | |
memoryCPU: Intel Core i5-12600K / AMD Ryzen 5 5800X3D developer_boardGPU: NVIDIA RTX 3070 / AMD Radeon RX 6800 laptop_macCPU (L): Intel Core i7-12700H laptop_windowsGPU (L): NVIDIA RTX 3070 Ti Mobile layersRAM: 16 GB saveStorage (Tier): 100GB SSD | — |
| 2160p (UHD/4K) - Ultra (Very High) CPU: Avoids CPU bottlenecks to allow the GPU to process 4K rendering. CPU (Laptop): Desktop-replacement class processor required. GPU: Powers 4K 60 FPS rendering with maximum visual fidelity and destruction effects. GPU (Laptop): Maximum mobile power necessary to push 4K resolution. RAM: Sufficient, though 32GB is recommended for enthusiast overhead. Storage: Fast NVMe SSD recommended for massive 4K asset streaming. | |
memoryCPU: Intel Core i5-12600K / AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D developer_boardGPU: NVIDIA RTX 4070 Ti / AMD Radeon RX 7900 XTX laptop_macCPU (L): Intel Core i9-13900HX laptop_windowsGPU (L): NVIDIA RTX 4090 Mobile layersRAM: 16 GB saveStorage (Tier): 100GB SSD | — |
| save Overall Storage | |
| Spec: 100GB Solid State Drive (SSD) Note: SSD is strictly required to eliminate frame hitching and stuttering during real-time asset streaming. Type: SSD | Spec: 54 GB available space (SSD Recommended) Note: An SSD is recommended for faster loading times, particularly when fast-traveling or respawning in the large world. Type: SSD |
| desktop_windows Operating System | |
| Spec: Windows 10 64-bit Explanation: Required for DirectX 12 API support and nProtect GameGuard kernel-level execution. | Spec: Windows Vista SP2 / Windows 7 SP1 / Windows 8.1 (64-bit Operating System Required) Explanation: A 64-bit version of Windows Vista SP2, 7 SP1, 8.1, 10, or 11 is required. |
| gamepad DirectX Version | |
| Spec: DirectX 12 Explanation: Essential for rendering volumetric lighting, particle effects, and advanced terrain deformation. | N/A |
| info_outline Other Game Notes | |
|
|
| build Optimization Details | |
|
|
| laptop Laptop Considerations | |
|
|
info_outline Feature details based on available data. System requirements and performance estimates may vary.
laptop_chromebook Laptop Recommendations
Common Recommendations (Handles All Compared Games)
For Helldivers 2 Specifically
For Just Cause 3 Specifically
info_outline Laptop recommendations are estimates based on available component benchmarks and game requirements. Actual performance may vary depending on settings, drivers, cooling, power limits, etc. Prices and availability subject to change. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.