Helldivers 2 vs The Last of Us Part I

• Perspective: Third-Person
• Multiplayer: Up to 4-Player Online Co-op PvE
• Setting: Sci-Fi Galaxy, Super Earth Territory, various hostile alien planets
• Platforms: PlayStation 5, Windows PC (Steam)
• Unique Feature: Intense co-op shooter with a dynamic Galactic War, iconic Stratagem system requiring input codes, persistent friendly fire, and a strong satirical tone centered around 'Managed Democracy'.

• Perspective: Third-Person
• Multiplayer: Single-Player Only (Remake does not include Factions MP)
• Setting: Post-Apocalyptic United States
• Platforms: PlayStation 5, PC
• Initial Remake Release (PS5): 2022-09-02
• PC Release Date: 2023-03-28

• Other Players (Fellow Helldivers): In the primary 4-player online co-op mode, up to three other human players join the squad. Teamwork involves coordinated fire, sharing support weapons, effective Stratagem deployment, reviving downed teammates, and completing objectives together under the constant threat of friendly fire.
  Human (Helldivers)

• Ellie Williams: AI-controlled companion for most of the game. Assists in combat by throwing objects, occasionally attacking enemies, pointing out threats, and solving environmental puzzles. Cannot be directly controlled by player in main game (playable in Left Behind DLC).
  Human
• Tess Servopoulos: AI-controlled companion during the early Boston chapters. Assists in combat and navigation.
  Human
• Bill: AI-controlled companion during the Bill's Town chapter. Provides combat support and guidance through his booby-trapped town.
  Human
• Tommy Miller: AI-controlled companion during certain chapters, primarily around the dam. Assists in combat.
  Human

• Samples (Common, Rare, Super): Found during missions, scattered around the map, at points of interest, or in nests/fabricators. Used to purchase Ship Module upgrades for the Super Destroyer, providing permanent buffs to Stratagems and player abilities.
• Medals: Earned by completing missions, entire operations, and personal/major orders. Used as currency to unlock weapons, armor, cosmetics, and other items from the pages of Warbonds.
• Super Credits: Premium currency. Small amounts can be found in missions at minor points of interest (e.g., sealed pods, bunkers). Can also be purchased with real money. Used to buy Premium Warbonds and cosmetic items from the rotating Superstore.
• Requisition Slips: Standard in-game currency earned from completing missions and operations. Used to unlock new Stratagems for use in missions.

• Artifacts: Notes, letters, maps, voice recorders, and other items found throughout the world that provide lore, backstory, and character insights.
• Firefly Pendants: Dog tags belonging to deceased Firefly members. There are 30 to find, often in hidden or hard-to-reach areas.
• Training Manuals: Magazines that unlock upgrades for Joel's abilities, such as improved shiv durability, increased health, or faster crafting speed.
• Comic Books (Savage Starlight): A series of sci-fi comic books that Ellie collects throughout the journey.
• Supplements: Pills and medical supplies found in the environment, used to purchase Joel's skill upgrades.
• Parts: Scrap metal, tools, and components used at workbenches to upgrade weapons.

• Cooperative Gameplay
• Satire
• Sci-Fi Warfare
• Galactic War
• Patriotism (Parody)
• Alien Extermination
• Teamwork
• High-Octane Action
• Procedural Generation

• Post-Apocalyptic
• Survival
• Found Family
• Moral Ambiguity
• Loss
• Hope
• Infected
• Human Nature

• AR-23 Liberator: Primary Weapon (Assault Rifle)
  Standard issue assault rifle. Balanced performance for various combat scenarios.
• SG-225 Breaker: Primary Weapon (Shotgun)
  High-damage shotgun, very effective at close range against most enemy types.
• LAS-16 Sickle: Primary Weapon (Energy-based Rifle)
  Laser rifle that doesn't consume ammo but can overheat. Good for sustained fire if managed well.
• P-19 Redeemer: Secondary Weapon (Machine Pistol)
  Fully automatic pistol, excellent for close-quarters panic situations or finishing off wounded enemies.
• AC-8 Autocannon: Support Weapon (Stratagem)
  Powerful cannon effective against medium-armored targets and enemy emplacements. Requires a backpack for ammo.
• LAS-99 Quasar Cannon: Support Weapon (Stratagem)
  Energy cannon that charges up a powerful shot capable of destroying heavily armored foes. Has a cooldown instead of ammo.
• GR-8 Recoilless Rifle: Support Weapon (Stratagem)
  Anti-tank weapon that requires a teammate to assist with reloading for optimal efficiency, or a slow solo reload.
• EAT-17 Expendable Anti-Tank: Support Weapon (Stratagem)
  Single-use rocket launchers called in pairs. Quick deployment for dealing with armored threats.
• G-12 High Explosive: Grenade
  Standard fragmentation grenade with a good blast radius.

• 9mm Pistol: Pistol
  A common semi-automatic pistol. Reliable sidearm, can be upgraded for stability, clip capacity, and fire rate.
• Hunting Rifle: Rifle
  A bolt-action rifle, powerful and accurate at long range. Can be upgraded with a scope and for damage.
• Bow: Stealth Ranged
  Silent weapon ideal for stealth takedowns. Arrows can often be retrieved. Can be upgraded for range and draw speed.
• Shotgun (Pump-Action): Shotgun
  Devastating at close range, effective against Runners and human enemies. Upgrades include fire rate and reload speed.
• Flamethrower: Heavy Weapon
  Effective against groups of Infected, especially Bloaters. Limited ammunition, but high area damage.
• Melee Weapons (Various): Melee
  Pipes, 2x4s, baseball bats, machetes. Can be upgraded with bindings and scissors for increased damage and durability. Break after several uses.
• Molotov Cocktail: Throwable (Incendiary)
  Craftable incendiary device, effective for area denial and against groups.
• Nail Bomb: Throwable (Explosive/Trap)
  Craftable explosive device that detonates on proximity or impact, scattering shrapnel.

• B-01 Tactical Armor: Medium Armor. Perk: Extra Padding (Higher armor rating).
• SC-34 Infiltrator Armor: Light Armor. Perk: Scout (Markers placed on the map generate radar scans every 2.0s. Reduces range at which enemies can detect the wearer by 30%).
• FS-02 Marksman Armor: Heavy Armor. Perk: Fortified (Further reduces recoil when crouching or prone by 30%. Provides 50% resistance to explosive damage).
• DP-53 Savior of the Free Armor: Medium Armor (Super Citizen Edition). Perk: Democracy Protects (50% chance to not die when taking lethal damage. Prevents all damage from chest hemorrhages).
• CM-09 Bonesnapper Armor: Medium Armor. Perk: Med-Kit (Increases initial inventory and holding capacity of Stims by +2. Increases Stim effect duration by 2.0s).

• Armor Sets, Helmets, and Capes: Players can unlock a wide variety of armor sets, helmets, and capes. Armor sets provide stats (armor rating, speed, stamina regen) and passive perks. Helmets and capes are primarily cosmetic. Items are unlocked via Warbonds (free and premium) or purchased from the Superstore using Super Credits. Examples: 'Trailblazer Scout' Armor, 'Executioner's Hood' Helmet, 'Dissident's Nightmare' Cape.

• Joel's Default Outfit: Worn flannel shirt, jeans, hiking boots. Character appearance changes slightly based on story progression and weather, but not directly customizable by player beyond pre-set unlockable skins in the remake.
• Ellie's Default Outfit: Hoodie, jeans, sneakers. Like Joel, her appearance changes subtly with story progression. Unlockable cosmetic skins are available in the remake.
• Hunter Attire: Worn by hostile human survivors; typically rugged, scavenged clothing, sometimes with makeshift armor pieces (NPCs only).
• Military Uniforms: Worn by FEDRA soldiers in quarantine zones (NPCs only).

Joel can upgrade his abilities (health, weapon sway, crafting speed, etc.) by finding training manuals and consuming supplements. Weapons can be upgraded at workbenches using scavenged parts and tools, improving attributes like fire rate, reload speed, and capacity. Crafting allows creation of health kits, melee weapon upgrades, and throwable items.

The game features a linear series of meticulously detailed environments rather than a traditional open world. Players traverse various locations across the U.S., including Boston, Lincoln, Pittsburgh, Jackson, Salt Lake City, and rural areas, each presenting unique environmental challenges and encounters.

• EXO-45 Patriot Exosuit: Player-Piloted Combat Walker (Stratagem)
  A bipedal combat walker called in via Stratagem. Equipped with a rocket launcher on one arm and a heavy machine gun on the other. Provides significant firepower and armor but has limited ammunition and durability.
• Hellbomb: Static Explosive Device (Stratagem)
  A powerful, large explosive device called in to destroy major objectives like buildings or heavily armored targets. Requires arming and has a lengthy detonation timer.
• Various Turrets (e.g., Gatling Sentry, Mortar Sentry, Autocannon Sentry): Deployable Defensive Emplacement (Stratagem)
  Automated turrets that can be called in to provide covering fire or defend an area. They have limited ammo/lifespan and are susceptible to friendly fire and enemy attacks.

• Pickup Truck (Various): Land Vehicle
  Used in several sections for long-distance travel across the country. Not directly controllable for extended periods by the player beyond scripted sequences.
• Horse (Callus, etc.): Mount
  Used for traversal in specific chapters, particularly in more open rural areas. Player can control movement.

• Horse: Equus caballus
  Mount, Traversal (in specific sections)
• Deer: Odocoileus virginianus (White-tailed deer implied)
  Wildlife, Hunting (provides food/resources in one sequence)
• Rabbit: Sylvilagus floridanus (Eastern cottontail implied)
  Wildlife, Environmental Ambiance
• Dog (Mentioned/Implied): Canis lupus familiaris
  Formerly companions, some feral/hostile (though not prominent gameplay elements)

• Helldiver: Player Character / Elite Soldier of Super Earth
  The player-controlled elite soldier. Appearance and capabilities are highly customizable through armor, helmets, capes, weapons, and Stratagems, allowing for diverse combat roles.
• Ship Master: Commanding Officer (NPC) on Player's Super Destroyer
  Provides mission briefings, ship services (like Stratagem and Ship Module purchases), and commentary on the ongoing Galactic War.
• Democracy Officer: Ideological Officer (NPC) on Player's Super Destroyer
  Delivers satirical patriotic dialogue, manages Super Citizen status, and reinforces the game's themes of 'Managed Democracy'.
• Service Technician (various titles): Ship Crew (NPCs)
  Various crew members aboard the Super Destroyer who manage armory, ship upgrades, and other interactive elements.
• Terminids: Hostile Alien Faction (Insectoid)
  A bug-like alien race that reproduces rapidly and relies on swarming tactics and melee attacks. Includes units like Scavengers, Hunters, Warriors, Chargers, Brood Commanders, and Bile Titans.
• Automatons: Hostile Alien Faction (Robotic)
  A faction of heavily armed robots and cyborgs. Utilize ranged weaponry, fortifications, and powerful war machines. Includes units like Troopers, Devastators, Hulks, Tanks, and Factory Striders.

• Joel Miller: Protagonist
  A hardened survivor in his late 40s, haunted by his past. Tasked with escorting Ellie across the country.
• Ellie Williams: Deuteragonist / Escortee
  A 14-year-old girl who is immune to the Cordyceps infection. She is brave, resourceful, and forms a deep bond with Joel.
• Tess Servopoulos: Ally / Joel's Partner
  Joel's smuggling partner in the Boston quarantine zone. A tough and pragmatic survivor.
• Bill: Ally (Reluctant)
  A paranoid and solitary survivor living in an isolated, booby-trapped town. Owes Joel a favor.
• Marlene: Antagonist / Firefly Leader
  The leader of the Fireflies, a rebel militia group fighting against military oppression and seeking a cure for the infection.
• Tommy Miller: Ally / Joel's Brother
  Joel's younger brother, formerly a Firefly, now living in a fortified settlement near a hydroelectric dam.
• David: Antagonist / Cannibal Leader
  The charismatic but sinister leader of a group of survivors who have resorted to cannibalism.

• Eradication Missions
  Eliminate a target number of enemies (Terminids or Automatons) within a fortified area. Often involves defending against waves of attackers.
• Objective Raids / Sabotage
  Infiltrate enemy territory to destroy key structures (e.g., Automaton Fabricators, Terminid Nests, Spore Spewers, Illegal Broadcast Towers) or retrieve critical data/items (e.g., SSSD Hard Drive).
• ICBM Launch / SEAF Artillery Activation
  Complete a sequence of tasks to prepare and launch an Intercontinental Ballistic Missile or activate S اہم Earth Armed Forces (SEAF) artillery, often requiring defense of multiple points.
• Evacuate High-Value Assets / Personnel
  Locate and escort civilian scientists or retrieve sensitive research data to an extraction point while under enemy attack.
• Blitz: Search and Destroy
  Quickly locate and destroy a number of enemy outposts (Nests or Fabricators) within a short time limit before extraction.
• Eliminate High-Value Target
  Hunt down and defeat powerful boss-type enemies like Bile Titans, Brood Commanders, or heavily fortified Automaton positions.

• Prologue (The Outbreak)
  Experience the initial hours of the Cordyceps outbreak through the eyes of Sarah Miller.
• The Quarantine Zone (Boston)
  Joel and Tess navigate the Boston QZ, undertake a smuggling job for Marlene involving Ellie.
• Bill's Town
  Seek out Bill, a paranoid survivor, to secure a working vehicle.
• Pittsburgh
  Ambushed by hunters, Joel and Ellie must fight their way through the hostile city.
• The University (Go Big Horns!)
  Search for the Fireflies at the University of Eastern Colorado, leading to a critical injury for Joel.
• Lakeside Resort (Winter)
  Ellie takes care of an injured Joel and confronts a group of cannibals led by David.
• The Firefly Lab (Salt Lake City)
  Joel and Ellie finally reach the Firefly hospital, leading to a difficult moral decision.
• Left Behind (DLC Story)
  Experience Ellie's past with her friend Riley in the Boston QZ, intertwined with her efforts to find medicine for Joel during the Winter chapter.

The core experience is 4-player online co-operative PvE. Players select missions from the Galactic War map, customize loadouts, and deploy to planets. Friendly fire is always enabled, emphasizing teamwork and careful engagement. There are no PvP modes.

The Last of Us Part I (remake) does **not** include the 'Factions' multiplayer mode that was present in the original 2013 release and The Last of Us Remastered (PS4). It is a single-player only experience. A standalone multiplayer project set in The Last of Us universe was in development but has since been cancelled.

Arrowhead Game Studios provides ongoing free and paid content updates, including: New Warbonds (premium battle passes with weapons/armor), Major Orders (community-wide narrative events), new Stratagems (e.g., Exosuits), new enemy types and variants (e.g., Shriekers, Factory Striders), and potential new biomes. The game receives regular patches for balance and bug fixes.

The Last of Us Part I (remake) includes the **Left Behind** prequel story DLC, which was originally standalone DLC for the 2013 game. No new story DLC has been announced for Part I remake itself. The PC version received numerous patches addressing performance and stability issues post-launch.

• Q: What is Helldivers 2?
  A: Helldivers 2 is a third-person cooperative multiplayer shooter developed by Arrowhead Game Studios and published by Sony Interactive Entertainment. Players take on the role of Helldivers, elite soldiers fighting for Super Earth against alien threats in a satirical sci-fi setting.
• Q: When was Helldivers 2 released?
  A: Helldivers 2 was released on February 8, 2024, for PlayStation 5 and Windows PC.
• Q: Is Helldivers 2 a sequel?
  A: Yes, it is the sequel to the 2015 top-down shooter Helldivers.
• Q: Does Helldivers 2 have crossplay?
  A: Yes, Helldivers 2 supports full crossplay between PlayStation 5 and PC players.
• Q: Can I play Helldivers 2 solo?
  A: Yes, Helldivers 2 can be played solo, but it is primarily designed and balanced for 4-player co-op. Playing solo can be significantly more challenging.
• Q: Is there PvP in Helldivers 2?
  A: No, Helldivers 2 is a purely PvE (Player versus Environment) game. Friendly fire is always active, however.
• Q: How does the Galactic War work?
  A: The Galactic War is a persistent, community-driven metagame where all players' actions (completing operations on planets) contribute to the war effort against the Terminid and Automaton factions. Super Earth command issues Major Orders, guiding the community towards specific strategic goals, which can unlock new lore, Stratagems, or affect the war map.
• Q: What are Stratagems?
  A: Stratagems are powerful abilities, weapons, vehicles, or supplies that Helldivers can call down from orbit during missions. They are activated by inputting unique directional button/key sequences and are crucial for success.

• Q: Is The Last of Us Part I a remake or a remaster?
  A: The Last of Us Part I (released 2022 for PS5, 2023 for PC) is a full remake of the original 2013 game, rebuilt from the ground up with new graphics, animations, AI, and updated gameplay mechanics to be more in line with The Last of Us Part II. It is not simply a remaster of the PS4 version.
• Q: Does The Last of Us Part I include the Left Behind DLC?
  A: Yes, The Last of Us Part I includes the Left Behind prequel story DLC integrated into the main package.
• Q: Does The Last of Us Part I (remake) have the Factions multiplayer mode?
  A: No, the Factions multiplayer mode from the original game and The Last of Us Remastered is not included in The Last of Us Part I remake. It is a single-player only experience.
• Q: How demanding is The Last of Us Part I on PC?
  A: The PC port of The Last of Us Part I is known to be very demanding, particularly on CPU and VRAM, especially at higher settings and resolutions. An NVMe SSD is mandatory. Performance has improved with patches since its initial problematic launch.
• Q: Are there different types of Infected in the game?
  A: Yes, there are several stages of the Cordyceps infection: Runners (fast, recently infected), Stalkers (more cunning, hide and ambush), Clickers (blind but use echolocation, very dangerous), Bloaters (heavily armored, throw mycotoxin projectiles), and Shamblers (in Left Behind, release spore clouds).

Utilizes the Autodesk Stingray engine, delivering detailed character models, varied alien biomes, and impressive environmental effects like explosions, weather, and lighting. Enemy designs are distinct and contribute to the game's intense atmosphere.

Rebuilt using Naughty Dog's latest PS5 engine technology, The Last of Us Part I features significantly improved graphics over the original and remastered versions. This includes more detailed character models, enhanced lighting and shadow effects, denser environments, improved animations, and more realistic physics. The PC version supports higher resolutions, uncapped framerates, and ultrawide monitors.

Iconic and BAFTA award-winning score by Gustavo Santaolalla, featuring haunting acoustic guitar melodies. Sound design is critical for gameplay, providing cues for enemy locations (Infected clicks, human dialogue) and environmental awareness. The remake features enhanced 3D audio capabilities.

Features a relatively minimalist HUD focusing on immersion, with contextual prompts for interactions and resource management. Crafting and upgrade menus are accessible via Joel's backpack. The PC version includes extensive graphics and control customization options.

Includes customizable subtitles (size, background), aim assist options, full control remapping for KBM and controller, aim/sprint mode toggles, separate sensitivity sliders, reticle customization, and text chat with Text-to-Speech and Speech-to-Text options.

Naughty Dog is renowned for extensive accessibility options. Part I includes features for vision (e.g., screen reader, high contrast modes, audio cues for traversal/combat), hearing (e.g., subtitle customization, visual prompts), and motor skills (e.g., control remapping, aim assist, auto-pickup, navigation assistance).

• OFFICIAL AND EXTRAPOLATED SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS for HELLDIVERS 2 (Released Feb 2024). This information is based on official PC specifications. Laptop GPU mentions are estimated based on desktop counterparts.
• Laptop Performance Note: Laptop models of listed desktop GPUs require comparable performance, which is dependent on TGP (Total Graphics Power) and cooling. Helldivers 2 can be demanding, so ensuring good TGP and cooling will optimize the experience on laptops.
• Laptop Consideration: G P U T G P: Sufficient TGP for the laptop GPU is crucial for consistent framerates, especially in intense combat scenarios.
• Laptop Consideration: Cooling Thermals: Good cooling is essential for maintaining stable performance during long missions and heavy action.
• Laptop Consideration: C P U Power Limits: Adequate CPU power ensures smooth gameplay, especially with many enemies and effects on screen.
• Laptop Consideration: M U X Switch Optimus: A MUX switch or NVIDIA Advanced Optimus is recommended for optimal performance and reduced latency.
• Optimization Detail: Upscaling Tech: The game uses its own internal temporal anti-aliasing and upscaling solution. It does not natively support NVIDIA DLSS or AMD FSR at launch, though this could change in future updates. Some players might utilize driver-level FSR if available.
• Optimization Detail: Key Settings Impact: Object Detail, Render Distance, Shadow Quality, Particle Quality, Volumetric Fog Quality, and Anti-Aliasing significantly impact performance. High enemy counts and intense particle effects can also affect framerates.
• Game Name: Helldivers 2

• Official PC system requirements as per Naughty Dog/Sony (March 2023 release). The game is known to be demanding on PC, especially for CPU and VRAM at higher settings. SSD is mandatory. Performance has improved with post-launch patches.
• Laptop Performance Note: The Last of Us Part I on PC is very demanding. High-end gaming laptops with powerful, recent discrete GPUs (e.g., RTX 3070 Mobile or higher) are recommended for a good experience at 1080p High. Achieving high framerates at higher resolutions will require top-tier mobile hardware and careful settings optimization.
• Laptop Consideration: G P U T G P: A very high TGP for the discrete GPU is crucial (e.g., 115W+ for RTX 3070M, 90W+ for RTX 3060M) as the game can heavily utilize the GPU.
• Laptop Consideration: Cooling Thermals: Exceptional cooling is essential to prevent thermal throttling, which can significantly impact performance in this title.
• Laptop Consideration: C P U Power Limits: A strong multi-core CPU with good sustained power limits is vital. The game can be CPU-bound in certain areas, even with powerful GPUs.
• Laptop Consideration: M U X Switch Optimus: Utilizing a MUX switch or Advanced Optimus is highly recommended to maximize performance and avoid bottlenecks from the iGPU.
• Optimization Detail: Upscaling Tech: Supports NVIDIA DLSS Super Resolution and AMD FSR 2.2. These are highly recommended for achieving target framerates at higher resolutions or settings.
• Optimization Detail: Key Settings Impact: Texture Quality (VRAM heavy), Shadow Quality, Draw Distance, Reflections, Ambient Occlusion, and Volumetric Effects significantly affect performance.
• Sound card: DirectX compatible soundcard (Standard requirement for audio output.)
• Peripherals: Windows-compatible keyboard, mouse, optional controller (DualSense, Xbox controllers supported) (Supports standard PC input devices and popular gamepads with haptic feedback on DualSense.)
• Game Name: The Last of Us Part I

• Upscaling Tech: The game uses its own internal temporal anti-aliasing and upscaling solution. It does not natively support NVIDIA DLSS or AMD FSR at launch, though this could change in future updates. Some players might utilize driver-level FSR if available.
• Key Settings Impact: Object Detail, Render Distance, Shadow Quality, Particle Quality, Volumetric Fog Quality, and Anti-Aliasing significantly impact performance. High enemy counts and intense particle effects can also affect framerates.

• Upscaling Tech: Supports NVIDIA DLSS Super Resolution and AMD FSR 2.2. These are highly recommended for achieving target framerates at higher resolutions or settings.
• Key Settings Impact: Texture Quality (VRAM heavy), Shadow Quality, Draw Distance, Reflections, Ambient Occlusion, and Volumetric Effects significantly affect performance.

• G P U T G P: Sufficient TGP for the laptop GPU is crucial for consistent framerates, especially in intense combat scenarios.
• Cooling Thermals: Good cooling is essential for maintaining stable performance during long missions and heavy action.
• C P U Power Limits: Adequate CPU power ensures smooth gameplay, especially with many enemies and effects on screen.
• M U X Switch Optimus: A MUX switch or NVIDIA Advanced Optimus is recommended for optimal performance and reduced latency.

• G P U T G P: A very high TGP for the discrete GPU is crucial (e.g., 115W+ for RTX 3070M, 90W+ for RTX 3060M) as the game can heavily utilize the GPU.
• Cooling Thermals: Exceptional cooling is essential to prevent thermal throttling, which can significantly impact performance in this title.
• C P U Power Limits: A strong multi-core CPU with good sustained power limits is vital. The game can be CPU-bound in certain areas, even with powerful GPUs.
• M U X Switch Optimus: Utilizing a MUX switch or Advanced Optimus is highly recommended to maximize performance and avoid bottlenecks from the iGPU.