HELLDIVERS 2 vs Split Fiction
Choose chaos with friends in Helldivers 2 or curated co-op surprises in Split Fiction — both need a partner, but serve different kinds of fun.
Updated 26d ago
Still the best chaotic 4-player co-op shooter on PC despite the playerbase falling from 458k peak to 30k after Arrowhead's balance churn.
A fresh mechanic every ten minutes and a sci-fi/fantasy split worth two playthroughs — the best co-op game Hazelight has made, but there's no solo mode at all.
By the numbers
Prices checked Sep 9; they move faster than we refresh, so confirm on the store page.
Recent-review figures are Steam's own last-30-days window, read Sep 9.
| Measure | HELLDIVERS 2 | Split Fiction |
|---|---|---|
| Value Too close to call | ||
| Price now | $34.99 −13% · GameBillet | $32.49 −35% · EA Store |
| All-time low | $25.47 | $32.49 |
| Cost / hour | $1.10/hr $34.99 · 32 h main story | $2.37/hr $32.49 · 14 h main story |
| Off its low | +37% low was Mar 2025 | At its low low was Jun 2026 |
| Main story | 32 h | 14 h |
| Health Split Fiction wins on player health | ||
| Steam reviews | 76% 1.2M reviews | 97% 127k reviews |
| Recent reviews | 83% 6k votes · vs 76% lifetime · improving | 95% 743 votes · vs 97% lifetime |
| Peak players | 144,799 Aug 2026 · ↑ 231% MoM | 12,918 Aug 2026 · ↓ 25% MoM |
| Launch peak | 32% of Feb 2024 launch peak · as of Aug 2026 | 5% of Mar 2025 launch peak · as of Aug 2026 |
| All-time peak | 458,208 Feb 2024 | 258,641 Mar 2025 |
| Support | ||
| Last patch | 4 weeks ago | 18 months ago |
| Patch cadence | 4 in last 90 days | 0 in last 90 days |
| Steam Deck | Gold | Platinum |
Shared scale — same months across the bottom, same player-count axis up the side, so the two lines are directly comparable. A shorter line means a younger game.
What players say
Patterns from long-haul reviewers, taken from each game's verdict. Not live sentiment — each side is dated below.
HELLDIVERS 2
The core co-op PVE loop remains engaging and fun for hundreds of hours despite ongoing frustrations.
Persistent balance changes, performance bugs, and poor developer communication erode trust and enjoyment over time.
from our May 2026 verdict
Split Fiction
The constant mechanic rotation is the hook — every chapter drops a fresh twist, and long-time players say the sci-fi/fantasy blend keeps both playthroughs lively.
A few puzzles miss and require trial-and-error, but the occasional stumble is easy to forgive next to the near-constant inventiveness.
from our August 2026 verdict
Key differences
Which one is for you?
Pick HELLDIVERS 2 if
- You want chaotic, 4-player co-op with friendly fire and strategem loadouts
- You prefer an online war that changes over weeks, not a fixed story
- You're fine with a game that had a rocky balance patch history
Pick Split Fiction if
- You have a dedicated co-op partner for a complete playthrough
- You enjoy games that constantly swap mechanics and keep you guessing
- You're looking for a polished, 14-hour experience with no grinding
Bottom line
Pick Helldivers 2 if you want a long-term online co-op grind with friends; choose Split Fiction if you've got one partner and want a tight, inventive story — note its 14 hours cost over $2 per hour.