In a landscape saturated with sequels and franchise retreads, Helldivers 2, loudly marching to the beating drums of democracy and liberty, has emerged as a beacon of refreshing innovation and unexpected success.

Launched on February 8 with Sony's backing, this online co-op shooter has taken to the skies straight to the forefront of Steam popularity.

With a staggering peak of 409,337 concurrent players over a single weekend, Helldivers 2 is securing its position as one of the most-played games on Steam for over two weeks straight while also surpassing Grand Theft Auto 5in terms of peak player engagement on the all-time charts. This feat is particularly remarkable considering its $40 price tag, standing tall against the free-to-play model and other AAA titles that dominate the lists.

The bigger Helldivers 2 gets on PS5 and PC, the less likely we'll see it on Xbox.

So, what's the secret sauce behind Helldivers 2's meteoric rise? It's a potent blend of several factors. Firstly, the game departs from the typical free-to-play trap, proving that a well-crafted concept with strategic depth and cooperative appeal can still resonate with a broad audience even in a market overrun with competitive offerings.