10 Epic Connections Between Helldivers 2 & Starship Troopers

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It's no secret that is closely based on. was first a 1959 novel written by Robert Heinlein, which was later adapted into a 1997 movie (albeit with a completely different set of morals). Since then, two sequels, two TV series, various animated films, tabletop and video games have followed, with the most recent being the licensed game .

But the similarities go deeper than the surface. The developers of have admitted their inspirations, fans have made infinite comparisons, and even the original film's star, Casper van Dien, has commented on his interest in playing the game — as well as starring in a (totally hypothetical) crossover movie. Here's everything the two have in common.

Perhaps the most prominent similarity between and is the most superficial: at their core, both pieces of media revolve around humanity fighting against giant, alien bugs. has Arachnids, and has Terminids — even the names are similar, if they imply different kinds of bugs. The main difference is that also features robot enemies, Automatons, that are totally different from anything in. Some of the strategy games feature robots, but they're allied with the humans, not against them.

But it's not just the existence of the bugs that's similar — and also use similar alien designs. may call them Terminids, but they're clearly closer to spiders (and ' Arachnids) than termites. Both types of bugs have long, multijointed legs and spiny abdomens. They're usually found in mixed units, generally one large bug guarding a contingent of smaller bugs. They're armored with dull-colored, protective exoskeletons, and secrete greenish-yellow bodily fluid. Perhaps most importantly, they have few (if any) recognizably mammalian characteristics — no eyes or mouths.

And just as their respective bug species are similarly designed, ' and 's humans are similarly outfitted. They all employ large rifles, gray-and-black armor with prominent, rounded helmets, turrets, and other mounted installations. In some of the animated