[2] Players complete tasks (called "Missions") in procedurally generated levels (or "Operations") while fending off hordes of enemies.

[3] A core gameplay feature carried over from the first game is the use of "Stratagems", powerful equipment which must be called in from orbit by executing a sequence of directional button or arrow key inputs.

[8] The game features live service content updates and has a battle pass system called "Warbonds" that never expire.

[17] By completing Operations, players also contribute to the collective progress of "Major Orders", which are mass-collaborative missions that directly affect the outcome of the Galactic War in-game.

[4][18] Helldivers 2 takes place in the 22nd century, one hundred years after the triumph of Super Earth, a self-described managed democracy, over the Bugs, Cyborgs, and Illuminate during the First Galactic War.

Humanity seized faster-than-light (FTL) travel technology from the defeated Illuminate, and used it to conquer the galaxy during a period known as the Great Democratization.

[19] The events of Helldivers 2 begin after the Super Earth Armed Forces fail to contain the Terminids, which have escaped their farms and are causing widespread chaos and destruction.

Subsequently, the Illuminate, an ancient and technologically advanced alien race thought to be extinct, return and invade Super Earth's colonies.

In response, Super Earth declares war and mobilizes the Helldivers, an elite task force, to combat the threats.

[52] Aaron Bayne of Push Square described the game as "a riotous affair, offering up best-in-class gunplay" and a "truly epic and often cinematic experience, mixed in with one of the best co-op gameplay romps currently available."

[46] Helldivers 2 has been compared to the 1997 science fiction action film Starship Troopers; both are satirical comedies featuring a militaristic regime fighting against a race of large insectoids.

[62][63] Pilestedt reacted to the game's ongoing success by stating that he hopes to see Helldivers become considered as iconic as PlayStation's other intellectual properties such as Uncharted, God of War, and Horizon.

[89] Pilestedt apologized for the sudden change, stating on Twitter that "I hope we will make it up and regain the trust by providing a continued great game experience".

[95] Sony announced on May 5, 2024 that they would not be moving forward with the account linking requirements, and promised to work with Arrowhead to find alternate solutions to protect players.

In September and October 2024, two major patches were released as part of the 60-day plan, which aimed to re-evaluate weapon and enemy balancing, as well as fix performance issues and bugs.