Real-Time Strategy (RTS) games have been on rocky terrain for some time, but there’s hope that Helldivers 2 might just breathe new life into the genre. Even though there’s a loyal fanbase clinging to titles like Starcraft, Blizzard seems less interested in giving this classic the attention it deserves. This neglect could be an opportunity for Arrowhead to dive into the RTS space with its Helldivers universe.
Arrowhead has already impressed us with its adaptability. Helldivers 1 was fairly modest compared to the ambitious leap that became the blockbuster co-op shooter Helldivers 2. The series is highly adaptable, with epic battles for resources playing out on vast maps, suggesting that it could offer something fresh to RTS gaming.
For those familiar with the original game, its isometric view combined strategic elements like base-building and artillery strikes with twin-stick shooter dynamics, crafting a unique tactical loop. Arrowhead’s design has always borrowed from strategy games, balancing loadouts and utilizing a galaxy map. Helldivers 2 shifted some of these mechanics into a third/first-person view and found great success, suggesting the potential for the RTS market.
The design of Helldivers’ factions and maps could also transition nicely into the RTS genre. The game features distinct enemy races, each with a unique identity and unit roster, complimented by structures functioning like RTS bases. Terminids deliver relentless bug attacks, reminiscent of the Zerg; Automatons employ traditional defenses and combined arms; while the Illuminate use elite shock troops and drones, striking swiftly with mobile ships that reinterpret base designs.
There’s also room for a faction from Super Earth. Expanding the units available, this faction could contrast with typical human teams seen in similar games. Helldivers has always highlighted the power of small, tactical groups, and a strategy game could expand on this angle. In such an RTS, losing even one soldier could be a considerable economic disadvantage.
Looking at successful RTS titles, we see a Helldivers strategy game could model itself after Starcraft. But while foundational elements like armies and resource management are crucial, inspiration can also be drawn from other successful games in the genre.
The Dawn of War series shares overlapping elements with Helldivers. The Dark Crusade expansion moved away from linear storytelling, instead offering a battle map where factions vie for planetary control. Helldivers could mimic this and take it further, possibly integrating with the Helldivers 2 map for a truly interconnected experience.
Dawn of War 2 and Company of Heroes have adopted a commander system akin to Helldivers’ stratagems. Each faction has a suite of abilities on-demand, spawning units, dispatching structures, or bombarding enemy zones with devastating effects. By expanding Helldivers 2’s mechanics, an RTS could offer factions unique in playstyle and strategy.
If Helldivers truly wanted to break new ground, it might take cues from Age of Empires. Though a different approach, Age’s focus on large maps and strategic expansion could allow factions in Helldivers to deploy and control worlds strategically, emulating the feel of dominance as they evolve into superstates.
Despite all this suitability, breaking into the RTS scene is not simple. Starcraft’s decline isn’t just due to competition but because RTS games have waned since MOBAs emerged. These offer accessible tactics with steep skill curves, appealing to more players. Even slower-paced games, like Dawn of War or Company of Heroes, never reached the towering player bases of Starcraft.
Total War: Warhammer is a rare success in recent times, even though it modifies traditional RTS features to ease new players in. Total War itself was a strong franchise, and adopting the Warhammer IP only boosted its appeal.
Yet, relying solely on an IP is risky. Several beloved franchises have tried entering the strategy realm and faltered. Relic’s Dawn of War struggled, with the third game steering players back to earlier titles. There’s clear evidence that a well-known name and successful formula are not everything.
For a Helldivers RTS to succeed, it must set itself apart, leaning into the series’ distinctive charm and what makes strategy games enjoyable. Helldivers disrupted the co-op shooter landscape precisely because it brought innovation. Given RTS games’ waning popularity, a Helldivers RTS would need more than a famous brand to thrive; it needs to rekindle the passion for strategy gaming itself.
