Surprise Helldivers 2 Xbox release announced for next month but it might not be on Game Pass

Xbox enthusiasts are in for a treat as Helldivers 2 is set to launch on the latest consoles, and it's due to arrive incredibly soon.

Contrary to popular opinion, the PS5 does indeed have games. With PS Plus recently adding Diablo 4 and all the titles announced in the Capcom Spotlight showcase coming to the console, it's difficult to continue poking fun at Sony for its lack of action, even if it's been silent on the exclusive title front for a while.

There's plenty to anticipate as a PlayStation user, and for a long time, a key component in its ecosystem was Helldivers 2, consistently releasing new updates and new disasters for fighters to quell in the name of liberty for Super Earth. That's not to suggest that the quality has declined, far from it, but its prominence as a leading shooter has somewhat faded. However, this could be about to change.

As part of what appears to be Microsoft's attempt to make Xbox the most extensive gaming company in the universe, it has been astonishingly revealed in the Helldivers 2 Discord that Helldivers 2 will be coming to Xbox Series X|S, after previously being exclusive to PlayStation and PC. It's a massive deal, particularly with active cross-play, and players will need to brace themselves. Prepare for lift-off, Helldivers.

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Liberty is coming to Xbox

The Xbox blog has just spilled the beans: Helldivers 2 is set to land on Xbox Series X|S on Tuesday, August 26. Eager fans can secure their copy right now with pre-orders open for both the standard and Super Citizen Editions. In a curious twist of fate, it's dropping the same day as Gears of War Reloaded.

Game director Mikael Eriksson couldn't contain his excitement: "We know gamers have been asking for this for some time and we are so excited to bring more Helldivers into our game. We have so much more in store for the future months and years – and the more players we have the more stories we can tell! The fight for Super Earth has only just begun."

There's no word yet on an Xbox One version or a debut on Xbox Game Pass, suggesting these options aren't on the table at the moment. Nevertheless, the arrival of Helldivers 2 on Xbox is a significant leap, offering a warm welcome to all those potential fans who felt left out during its initial release. It's about time Xbox players got a taste of true freedom.