When Helldivers 2 first launched over a year ago, no one could have predicted just how successful the game would become. The satirical co-op shooter quickly gained a massive following, achieving phenomenal success on both the PlayStation 5 and PC. However, this journey was not without controversy. Sony made one of its most divisive decisions ever by requiring a PSN account to play—even on PC.
The backlash from the gaming community was swift and intense. Players flooded Steam with negative reviews, expressing frustration at the mandatory account linking. As the outrage grew, Sony eventually reconsidered and reversed its decision, removing the requirement. But even after this victory for players, another major issue remained: the region lock, which prevented gamers in certain countries from enjoying Helldivers 2. You can also discover great Steam games like Helldivers 2 here: The Best Steam Games.
Region Lock Lifted: Helldivers 2 Is Finally Playable Worldwide
Alongside the PSN requirement, Sony had quietly implemented a region lock that restricted access to the game in 177 countries, including Japan, Egypt, and Vietnam. This meant that a large portion of the global player base was completely locked out, unable to join the fight in one of last year’s most thrilling cooperative experiences.
Now, nearly 18 months after launch, Sony has finally acknowledged the negative impact of this restriction and lifted the region lock almost completely. As of now, Helldivers 2 is freely accessible in most countries. This decision also extends to other PlayStation titles like The Last of Us Part II Remastered, God of War: Ragnarok, and Spider-Man 2. According to SteamDB, only eight countries remain affected by the restrictions: Belarus, Cuba, Iran, Japan, North Korea, Russia, Syria, and Vietnam.
Community Response: The Opposite of a Shitstorm
In a refreshing twist, players have chosen to celebrate this development in their own unique way. Instead of repeating their negative review bombardment, the community has launched an initiative encouraging positive Steam reviews. A popular Reddit post urges players to update their previously negative ratings to reflect the lifted restrictions, reinforcing their excitement about the game’s newly expanded availability.
One user enthusiastically declared, “Honor restored!”, while another urged fellow players, “Give them the positive reviews they deserve.” This surge of positivity echoes the resilience and passion of the Helldivers community, proving that when developers listen to players, goodwill can be restored.
Now Is the Perfect Time to Join the Fight
With the region lock gone, now is the best moment to either return to Helldivers 2 or dive in for the first time. A new season is currently live, introducing fresh content, challenges, and updates. Rumors even suggest that Helldivers could make a leap to the big screen, with speculation surrounding a potential movie adaptation.
Whether you’re a veteran Helldiver or a newcomer eager to enlist, the battlefield is now open to nearly everyone worldwide. So, gear up, rally your squad, and get ready to dive into action!
