If you saw footage of Exterminauts come out of Gamescom this week, then you might have thought it bore some resemblance to Helldivers 2. The two games are both cooperative PvE shooters with an assortment of powerful weapons to use and creatures to battle, but the team at Behaviour Interactive believe Exterminauts stands out in several key ways.
Speaking to GameSpot at Gamescom, creative director Vincent Regimbart acknowledged that there are definitely similarities in the two games, but also a few key changes that help Exterminauts stand out.
“Our game is not war: It’s work,” Regimbart said. “It’s a workplace that fights back. So there’s a thematic difference that we don’t want it kind of, to be too heavy on the player–to make it feel like everything is ominous and dire. You’re just here to do your 9-5 and get back out.”
Regimbart also said that the team felt like it could actually make some improvements to certain aspects of Helldivers, particularly regarding the progression system.
“There are mods to your weapons, there are passives, there are a lot of upgrades, and there are a lot of different paths that you can take with a particular build. So we’re putting a lot more emphasis on that.”
For more on Exterminauts, you can check out our full Gamescom preview and read about how the season pass is respecting dedicated players. The game comes to PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC in 2027.