Dive into worlds of bug-blasting fun

LAUNCHING over a year ago on Playstation 5 and PC, Helldivers 2 was a breakout hit and a rare example of Sony's live service bet actually paying off.

- By JAMIE SALMON

Simultaneously launching on Xbox last week alongside Microsoft's Gears of War: Reloaded on the PS5, it's also a rare example of cross platform cooperation between the two publishing giants.

As a sequel to a fairly obscure isometric shooter, Helldivers 2 takes the same concept - up to four friends or strangers team up online, drop into an inhospitable planet and complete objectives while keeping hordes of enemies at bay - but switches to an over-the-shoulder 3rd person viewpoint for a far more immersive and in-your-face experience.