Remnant 2 is the Best RPG I've Played in Years, All about the Game
by Srinithi | Updated Aug 08, 2023
Remnant 2
"Remnant 2" stands as a captivating third-person shooter action role-playing game developed by Gunfire Games and published by Gearbox Publishing. This installment serves as the sequel to the well-received "Remnant: From the Ashes," released in 2019. Its launch in July 2023 brought it to PlayStation 5, Windows, and Xbox Series X/S platforms. The game's reception was notably positive, garnering praise from players and critics alike.
Impressively, "Remnant 2" achieved remarkable sales success, surpassing 1 million copies sold within its debut week. This achievement underlines its popularity and indicates an engaged player base. The game's combination of shooting mechanics, RPG elements, and immersive gameplay contributed to its favorable reviews and commercial triumph.
Remnant 2 is the Best Rpg I've Played in Years
The Upsides of Imperfections
Remnant: From the Ashes invokes parallels to my sentiments in my Code Vein review, not just due to the vague semblance of both games to Dark Souls. Both games earn a solid 3/5 rating from me, despite evident shortcomings. The original Remnant feels clunky, lacks visual appeal, grows repetitive, and lacks coherence. It's a game that seems to be missing a key ingredient – be it time, funding, or experience.
While it may lack polish, it possesses a robust core concept that carries weight. It felt like a game ripe for a sequel, not necessarily to tie up loose ends (if any), but to unlock its design potential. The emergence of Remnant 2 is a gratifying outcome.
A Pattern of Promise
This pattern resonates across many games, notably evident in Souls-like titles. This perception could be due to my fondness for the genre, but games like The Surge, Nioh, and potentially Lords of the Fallen fit this mould. Comparing sequels, The Surge 2 is the closest match; though some favour the original Nioh, and Lords of the Fallen's reboot's promise awaits review.
The crux is that numerous decent games build on concepts that warrant further exploration or refinement. Perhaps except for the underwhelming Lords of the Fallen 2014, I'll offer some leniency. As an individual deeply engrossed in playing and assessing an array of games, witnessing sequels that substantially refine concepts rather than merely expanding upon them is invigorating.
While more of the same is enjoyable, sequels that elevate the ordinary to the extraordinary are truly captivating. This rarity stems from the challenge of greenlighting a sequel unless its predecessor was a resounding triumph. Remnant 2 embodies this enchantment.
Surpassing Improvements
Even The Surge 2's significant improvements pale when compared to Remnant 2's transformative changes. I still value Remnant: From the Ashes and recommend trying it, particularly on sale. However, in terms of visuals, quality of life, RPG systems, and replayability, Remnant 2 reigns supreme over its forerunner. It holds a position among my most cherished RPG shooters.
Elevated RPG Depth
Remnant 2 not only refines RPG elements but introduces them. In Remnant: From the Ashes, your build essentially revolves around your firearms. While 'classes' existed, they boiled down to a choice of starter weapon mods. Traits formed a lightweight skill tree, with no genuine archetypes.
You were limited to a few accessories and three pieces of fairly generic armor with minimal set effects, making it hard to craft a distinctive build. The closest synergy I found involved pairing an amulet that boosts bleed damage with a weapon causing bleed damage. Call me MacGyver.
Remnant 2 offers substantially more depth. The array of starter classes is broader and notably more impactful. Dual-classing swiftly combines passive buffs and active abilities. Beginning as a Hunter and acquiring Summoner, I later embraced Challenger for added strength. Upon maxing out Summoner and unlocking its innate health regeneration trait, I intend to switch to Handler, exchanging pet demons for a pet dog. Yes, Remnant 2 boasts a class focused on an attack dog, solidifying its appeal.
The game's replayability is extensive, a coveted trait in most RPG shooters. The 11 available classes offer substantial build-crafting potential. The incentive to level multiple classes for their potent traits is an engaging grind, making the two equipped classes feel more impactful by conserving trait points. This setup mirrors the weapon grind in Ratchet and Clank, motivating experimentation with initially disliked options that eventually become beloved.
Enhanced Class-Equipment Synergy
The interaction between classes and equipment has improved remarkably. My rings, amulet, and relic heart (akin to an estus flask) revolve around mod power and generation. My build focuses on enhancing the innate mod of the potent boss weapon, Nightfall, which I've held since my first playthrough.
After completing the game, I ventured into the Remnant 2 community, realizing that every Nightfall owner shared the same idea. However, I have no regrets. I appreciate the investment in this unique niche, even if it renders me somewhat squishy – a fact confirmed by my co-op partner, who frequently picks me up from boss arenas. But at least my hits are powerful.
Exceptional Replay Value
Remnant 2's immediate enhancements in visuals and gameplay are readily apparent, but their depth becomes evident through subsequent playthroughs. Just a few worlds into my second campaign, I've encountered significantly more differences than I did during multiple campaign-lite Adventures in the first game. The replayability of Remnant: From the Ashes felt like superficial rearrangements, whereas Remnant 2 offers substantial re
Remnant 2 Gameplay
Similar to its predecessor, Remnant 2 adopts a third-person shooter style influenced by Soulslike video games. Players can wield two guns and a melee weapon. At the game's outset, players select character archetypes.The Gunslinger class replaces the Ex-cultist from the first game, emphasizing firearm use. The Challenger class can unleash shockwaves disintegrating foes, while the Handler class features a combat-assisting dog companion.
As players progress, dual-classing becomes available. Unique archetype perks and skills can be activated, such as "Loaded" for instant firearm reloads for Gunslingers.The Handler class's prime ability, "Bonded," permits the dog companion to revive the character post-defeat.
Procedural generation, evident in the first game through altered level layouts and enemy spawn points, has been expanded significantly in Remnant 2. Gunfire Games notes that enemy types, region aesthetics, boss characters, non-playable characters, storyline, and quests are also subject to random generation.[6] Solo gameplay is an option, but the game supports a cooperative multiplayer mode for up to three players.
Remnant 2 Development
Gunfire Games, the developer, alongside publisher Gearbox Publishing, unveiled Remnant 2 during The Game Awards 2022. The game's official release occurred in July 2023, being accessible on platforms such as PlayStation 5, Windows, and Xbox Series X/S. Positioned after Remnant: From the Ashes' final DLC, Remnant 2's narrative maintains simplicity for universal accessibility.
Remnant 2's development aimed to enhance upon Remnant: From the Ashes' foundation. Core goals included enriching gameplay variety through the archetype system and amplifying replay value via procedural generation. CEO David Adams detailed the approach: biomes' sequencing occurs randomly, leading to the creation of two distinct storylines and the integration of unique mini-bosses, side quests, and events within each biome.
This dynamic structure encourages multiple playthroughs and diverse experiences, fostering the sharing of players' personalised gameplay encounters. By facilitating individualised gameplay, the developer aspired to inspire players to exchange their experiences with others.
Remnant 2 is the Best Rpg I've Played in Years-FAQ
The game's combination of shooting mechanics, RPG elements, and immersive gameplay contribute to its appeal. It builds upon the strengths of its predecessor while introducing new and refined features, making it a standout RPG title.
"Remnant 2" is a captivating third-person shooter action role-playing game developed by Gunfire Games and published by Gearbox Publishing. It serves as the sequel to "Remnant: From the Ashes," which was released in 2019.
"Remnant 2" is hailed as one of the best RPGs due to its engaging gameplay mechanics, immersive world, and innovative features. It combines shooting mechanics with RPG elements, offering players a dynamic and enjoyable gaming experience.
"Remnant 2" distinguishes itself through its refined RPG elements, enhanced visuals, quality of life improvements, diverse character archetypes, and substantial replayability. The introduction of dual-classing, archetype-specific perks, and procedural generation adds depth and variety to the gameplay.
The game has received notably positive reception, garnering praise for its gameplay innovations, visuals, and replay value. Both players and critics have embraced the game's combination of genres and its overall quality.