It seems that the most anticipated Xbox game this summer might not be Obsidian Entertainment’s Grounded 2 or the highly anticipated remaster Gears of War: Reloaded. Instead, I have a strong feeling that it could be Helldivers 2 – the critically acclaimed third-person co-op shooter from PlayStation Studios and Arrowhead Game Studios, which caused quite a stir among gaming communities last year.
Initially launched only on PS5 and Windows PC in early February 2024, Sony later decided to release the popular live-service game also on Xbox, an announcement made in July. Now, with its release date set for August 26th fast approaching, players can look forward to not just the main game, but also a much-anticipated collaboration between Helldivers 2 and Halo ODST when the Xbox version is released.
The collaboration will offer a unique Legendary Warbond battle pass, priced at $15, which is equivalent to 1,500 Super Credits (it’s worth noting that you can also earn these in-game). This special pass showcases ODST and Recon armor sets modeled after the gear from Halo 3: ODST, a spin-off of the Halo series that focuses on the ODST soldiers, whose appearance shares notable resemblance with Helldiver troops.
In addition to the Warbond offering a range of Halo-inspired goods, you’ll also find an array of cosmetic items like capes and personal backdrops, as well as highly recognized weapons from the Xbox’s popular first-person shooter series. For instance, the MA5C Assault Rifle, M7S SMG, M90A Shotgun, and M6C/SOCOM Magnum will be available. Notably, with the inclusion of the M6C, developer Arrowhead has subtly incorporated a Halo-related Easter egg while also adding their own distinctive touch to it.
In one of the Easter eggs found across Halo: Combat Evolved, Halo 3, and Halo 3: ODST, the creators at Bungie, the original studio behind the franchise, have hidden a consistent detail – they’ve inscribed the number seven in Japanese, Chinese, and Korean characters on the models of the classic Magnum pistol within the game.
As a tech enthusiast, I can’t help but notice that Bungie seems to have a soft spot for the number seven. From the iconic games like Halo and Destiny 2 to their other creations, this number is prominently featured. In fact, they even celebrate July 7th (7/7) every year as Bungie Day, making it a special day for fans just like me!
In the game Halo 3: ODST, the Magnum had two Korean symbols on the right side of its laser sight, which represent the number seven. When this design was recreated for the upcoming crossover between Helldivers 2 and Arrowhead, they included Korean characters on the new model’s laser sight as well. This can be seen by taking a close look at the weapon featured in the collaboration trailer (also noticeable in the image provided above).
Instead of keeping the original characters created by Bungie, Arrowhead opted to use the Korean Hangul alphabet, specifically the characters for “자유,” which stands for “freedom” on the M6C/SOCOM.
It’s quite evident that this game is satirizing a strict, militaristic regime ruling over Super Earth under the false pretense of “Managed Democracy,” which supposedly safeguards freedom and liberty, but actually exerts complete control. I find it delightful how Helldivers 2 maintains Bungie’s comedic approach while integrating it seamlessly into its own universe.
Everything about the upcoming crossover appears fantastic, and I can hardly wait until next week when I can examine it thoroughly to uncover additional intriguing aspects it holds. With Arrowhead guaranteeing that it’s brimming with details that enthusiasts will delight in exploring, I am optimistic about finding a few more hidden gems.
Although the collaboration between Helldivers and Halo is a significant event for players, the release of Helldivers 2 on Xbox simultaneously will likely create an even larger impact. Ever since the initial launch, gamers on Microsoft’s consoles have eagerly anticipated a port of this cooperative shooter; the excitement is so palpable that the creators of Halo Infinite even developed a custom Helldivers game mode! However, many assumed such a port was unlikely because PlayStation traditionally only releases its games on PC.
This marks the first time that Hell divers 2 has been ported, and it seems Sony, possibly influenced by the phenomenal success of Forza Horizon 5 on PS5, decided to venture into the realm of Team Green for the first time. Given the fact that the top-selling PS5 game this year originated from Xbox, could it be possible that Hell divers 2 might become the best-selling Xbox game in 2025?
It’s uncertain, but what I can assure you is that Helldivers 2 will undoubtedly be one of the top Xbox games for cooperative players when it launches on August 26. Having clocked over 500 hours in this thrilling shooter, I can confidently declare that it’s my preferred PvE multiplayer game to play with friends, and a title not to be missed if you appreciate fast-paced, teamwork-focused gaming experiences.
The usual price for the game is around $39.99, but you can find it cheaper on a Windows PC due to an attractive offer at CDKeys, where it’s priced at approximately $33.69.
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2025-08-21 02:40