PlayStation Studios has ventured into new territory with the release of Helldivers 2, marking the first time they have launched a game on both PC and consoles simultaneously. However, the initial reception has not been without its share of hiccups. While the game boasts impressive visual and performance aspects, issues with crashing and matchmaking are currently causing frustration for some players.
Having spent some time with the game, I have discovered the best settings for Helldivers 2 on PC. The game is highly scalable across its graphics presets, automatically determining settings based on your hardware to target between 50 and 60 frames per second (fps) using both graphics options and built-in upscaling tools. After extensive testing, the following settings seem to offer the best performance for Helldivers 2 on PC:
– Texture quality: High
– Object detail quality: Medium
– Render distance: High
– Shadow quality: Medium
– Particle quality: Low
– Reflection quality: Medium
– Space quality: Low
– Ambient occlusion: On
– Screen-space global illumination: Off
– Vegetation and rubble density: High
– Terrain quality: Medium
– Volumetric fog quality: Medium
– Volumetric cloud quality: Medium
– Lighting quality: Medium
– Anti-aliasing: Off
Of these settings, ambient occlusion and screen-space global illumination are the most demanding, but also have the biggest impact on image quality. The game’s texture quality depends on the GPU used, with the High textures still offering quality visuals. Regardless, it’s advisable to have at least 10GB of VRAM for the Ultra textures. In terms of performance, it’s been quite consistent across the settings, with minor freezing issues experienced.
When it comes to system requirements, Helldivers 2 lists four tiers, ranging from a GTX 1050 Ti for minimum specs to an RTX 4070 Ti for maximum settings. However, it’s recommended to have 32GB of RAM for running the game on 4K. The storage requirement is listed as 100GB, but the current install size is only 70GB, with the expectation that future updates will increase the install size.
As for the GPU requirements, the game provides an average performance across different GPUs. However, there seems to be some form of upscaling utilized, with graphics settings improving performance significantly. Despite some crashing and freezing issues, the game is generally well-optimized, providing a consistent experience across various GPUs.
In terms of upscaling, Helldivers 2 falls short by not offering options like AMD’s FSR, Nvidia’s DLSS, or Intel’s XeSS. Instead, the game includes its own upscaling solution, relying on temporal anti-aliasing (TAA) and various upscaling options to determine quality. Although the upscaling modes offer different performance and image quality trade-offs, the absence of DLSS or FSR is noticeable, given their prevalence in current AAA releases.
Finally, the crashing and freezing issues are a significant concern for players. Many have experienced game freezes, resulting in crashes or lengthy disruptions to gameplay. Speculation suggests that the crashing may be related to the anti-cheat system, and while updates are expected to address these issues, players should anticipate some turbulence while playing the game.
In conclusion, while Helldivers 2 offers a visually impressive and scalable gaming experience, the crashing and freezing issues are currently impacting the gameplay. Players are advised to approach the game with caution and be prepared for potential disruptions. As the game continues to receive updates, it’s hoped that these technical issues will be addressed to provide a more seamless gaming experience.
Opinion:
While Helldivers 2 shows promise in its visual and performance aspects, the crashing and freezing issues are a significant setback. It’s disappointing to see a game with such potential marred by technical problems, especially given the increasing expectation for smooth and uninterrupted gameplay experiences. It’s essential for the developers to address these issues promptly and provide a stable environment for players to enjoy the game without frustration. Additionally, the absence of popular upscaling options like DLSS and FSR is notable, especially in a modern gaming landscape where these features have become standard in AAA releases.Overall, the potential of Helldivers 2 is overshadowed by its technical shortcomings, and it’s crucial for the developers to prioritize stability and performance improvements to restore confidence in the game.