Risk of Rain 2 review

Developed by Hopoo Games, Risk of Rain 2 has transitioned from early access to a full-fledged 1.0 release, building upon a year-and-a-half of iterative development. This third-person shooter roguelike thrusts players into an escalating battle for survival on alien worlds. Below, we delve into the mesmerizing intricacies that make this game stand out while also highlighting a few areas where it possibly falls short.

Emerge and Survive: The Gameplay Kick-off

Each run in Risk of Rain 2 begins with your chosen Survivor ejecting from an escape pod onto an unfamiliar and hostile alien planet. These initial moments are serene, accompanied by lo-fi music and a general sense of foreboding. This calm is quickly shattered as low-level creatures begin their relentless assault, transforming the tranquil landscape into a battlefield.

This transition sets the tone for the run, reinforcing Risk of Rain 2's core principle: constant adaptation. Players must balance exploring for loot and hurrying to the teleporter, as hesitation can result in being overrun by increasingly difficult enemies.

The Ever-Ticking Clock: Escalating Challenges

A unique feature of Risk of Rain 2 is its escalating difficulty meter, visualized at the top right of the screen. Starting from Easy, this meter gradually moves up through Medium, Hard, and ultimately, to "HAHAHAHAHA". This relentless rise in difficulty ensures that players are always racing against time.

This mechanic incentivizes players to find and activate the teleporter quickly. The teleporter not only signals the end of the level but also summons a boss monster that must be vanquished to proceed. While racing the clock adds tension, hastily diving into boss battles without adequate preparation can spell disaster.

Building Success: Perks and Customization

One of the most engaging aspects of Risk of Rain 2 is its extensive perk system. Throughout each level, players collect money by defeating enemies, which can then be used to unlock boons from various crates. These perks are not just beneficial—they stack, adding a fascinating layer of complexity to each run.

As you gather perks, you can focus on reinforcing strengths or compensating for weaknesses. This means that each run, although fundamentally similar, has the potential to feel uniquely different based on the perks you acquire and how they stack together. This dynamic system keeps the gameplay fresh and exciting.

A Symphony of Upgrades

Risk of Rain 2’s perk system extends beyond mere stat buffs. With additive upgrades, perks can stack atop one another to create complex and powerful interactions. For instance, combining a perk that causes bleed damage with one that inflicts fire damage results in enemies suffering from both conditions simultaneously, transforming the battlefield into a spectacle of numbers and status effects.

Players don't need to swap out core weapons, focusing instead on making strategic choices about which perks and special attacks to equip. This system of stacking upgrades until they form a towering mass of synergized destruction is one of the game's most compelling features.

Survivors with Style: Diverse Characters

Risk of Rain 2 offers a roster of uniquely designed Survivors, each with its own set of abilities and playstyles. Initially, players have access to the Commando, a well-rounded character with a helmeted design, balanced stats, and straightforward abilities. As players progress, more characters, like the hefty robot MUL-T, are unlocked, each introducing new strategies and gameplay elements.

These characters are not merely aesthetic variations. The careful design of different Survivors adds depth to the game, encouraging players to experiment and master different strategies. Each time you unlock a new character, it feels like a fresh chapter in the adventure, ripe for discovery.

The Enemies: A Diverse Menagerie

The enemy designs in Risk of Rain 2 are varied and imaginative, contributing significantly to the game's replayability. From spherical sea gull-like creatures that bombard the player from above to massive ground-based behemoths, there's no shortage of enemy diversity. This variety keeps players on their toes, constantly adapting their strategies.

Although the enemies tend to be bullet-sponges, requiring substantial firepower to defeat, their distinct movements and abilities provide consistent challenges. This variety ensures that combat, while occasionally feeling repetitive, remains engaging and demands strategic thinking from the player.

Combating Monotony: Improving Motion

One of the potential drawbacks in Risk of Rain 2 lies in the act of shooting itself. While the game excels as a roguelike with loot-shooter elements, the actual mechanics of shooting can sometimes feel a bit lackluster. Enemies absorb a large number of hits before finally being defeated, potentially undercutting the visceral satisfaction of each shot.

However, the varied abilities of each Survivor help to counteract this. For instance, the Commando’s burst-fire attack is useful for dealing with airborne threats, while MUL-T's bomb and boost can clear ground enemies effectively. The synergy of abilities keeps the act of combat from becoming tedious.

Environments: Atmospheric and Evolving

Risk of Rain 2’s environments are both atmospheric and distinctive. Each level has its own visual identity, from barren wastelands to lush, overgrown ruins. These environments are not merely backdrops but are riddled with secrets and interactive elements that reward exploration.

Discovering hidden passages and secret codes that open new realms can turn a desperate run into an unexpected treasure hunt. The sense of mystery and discovery is palpable, encouraging players to look beyond the immediate dangers and delve deeper into the world.

The Importance of Sound: Dynamic Music

Music in Risk of Rain 2 goes beyond mere ambiance. Starting with lo-fi beats during the initial calm, the soundtrack dynamically evolves with the gameplay. As the action intensifies, so too does the music, culminating in guitar-wailing crescendos that match the frenzied pace of combat.

This audio progression enhances the game’s atmosphere, making each run feel like a carefully orchestrated symphony of chaos. It’s an element that underscores the ever-escalating tension, ensuring that players remain fully immersed in their relentless fight for survival.

Relentless Progression: No Time to Rest

Unlike some other roguelikes that offer brief interludes for players to catch their breath, Risk of Rain 2 maintains its relentless pace. The only breaks come during brief loading screens between levels, with no real respite from the growing intensity. This design choice contributes both to the game’s excitement and its potential for player fatigue.

This unyielding progression can make each run feel like an endurance test. While it ensures that the game never loses momentum, it also means that longer play sessions can be physically and mentally draining. This balance of thrill and exhaustion is a double-edged sword that defines the Risk of Rain 2 experience.

Graphical Identity: Lo-fi Meets Chaos

Visually, Risk of Rain 2 presents a striking contrast. The initial lo-fi aesthetic gives way to vibrant explosions of color and effects as the action ramps up. While this visual chaos contributes to the game's thrilling atmosphere, it can also obscure key elements during the most frenetic battles.

Despite these occasional clarity issues, the art design lends the game a unique charm. The progression from calm, almost serene landscapes to chaotic battlegrounds is visually marked, mirroring the gameplay's escalating tension.

Concluding Thoughts: The Climactic Experience

Risk of Rain 2 is an electrifying journey that propels players through ever-escalating chaos. Its addictive perk system, diverse Survivors, and dynamic music transform what begins as a calm exploration into a frantic struggle for survival. However, the relentless pace and potentially repetitive shooter mechanics can also make sessions feel exhausting over time.

Despite these minor drawbacks, Risk of Rain 2 offers an unparalleled roguelike experience that rewards strategic thinking and adaptability. It's a game that pulls no punches, offering thrills that are as intense as they are satisfying.