“Remnant II,” developed by Gunfire Games and published by Gearbox Publishing, is the highly anticipated sequel to the 2019 game “Remnant: From the Ashes.” While I unfortunately missed out on playing the first title, I was aware of the skill of these developers from the “Darksiders” games, and with all the early buzz behind this latest game, I had to give it a look-see. This is a third-person shooter action role-playing video game, and it seamlessly blends the intensity of a shooter with the challenging gameplay of a soulslike experience. Upon starting the game, players are presented with three unique character archetypes (classes) to choose from: the gunslinger class, the challenger class, and the handler class, which is probably everyone’s go-to because you’re aided by a loyal dog companion in combat and who doesn’t love dogs? To my surprise, as I progressed, I unlocked additional archetype classes, such as Summoner, Alchemist, Hunter, and more, which really allows for very diverse and strategic gameplay, not just for a personalized experience but one of a team.
The heart of “Remnant II” revolves around “The Traveler,” our protagonist in search of a new home after facing adversity at their former camp. Despite not having played the original title, I found the game to be incredibly welcoming to newcomers, effectively immersing me in its narrative without leaving me feeling disconnected from the previous installment. The character growth and customizable dialogue options contribute to a truly compelling experience, where players can shape the Traveler’s journey and make it feel as their own. Some side characters can get very chatty at times, with not too much to really say, so I did my best to only talk to characters that furthered the main story. Exploration is a key element in “Remnant II,” with five distinct biomes to traverse, each intricately detailed and ripe with opportunities to uncover secrets. The brilliance lies in the procedurally generated environments within these biomes, ensuring that every revisit feels fresh and unpredictable. This dynamic feature adds an exciting twist to the gameplay, and for a game that is very dependent on its replayability, this was a smart and crucial choice to help keep things fresh for the gamer.
Throughout the game, defeating enemies will often reward you with an abundance of items, including valuable materials for crafting enhanced armor and weapons. The crafting system does add some depth making this a pretty fleshed out RPG. While I primarily played solo during my review, I strongly recommend embracing the cooperative aspect of the game by teaming up with friends. “Remnant II” supports up to four players, and strategizing with diverse archetypes can be advantageous against formidable enemies. The enemy AI can present some tough challenges, requiring you and your friends to hone your skills and adapt to unpredictable assaults, creating an intense and very addicting gameplay loop. My biggest issue I noticed, was the game is currently not cross-play, so playing with my PC friends was not an option. For the longevity of this game’s lifespan, I hope this is a feature that will be added in the near future, sooner rather than later, because 2023 is still flush with tons of new games to get gamers to fall off on this title sooner than you’d expect.
The game’s unique blend of shooter and RPG elements, coupled with the beauty of its procedurally generated biomes, makes for something really special here. I went into this game not really sure if it would be my cup of tea, but its inherent addictive qualities kept me constantly thinking about it and wanting to jump back into a biome and kick some more butt. There is little to hate in this game, there are a lot of ingredients mixed in here that all just feel right, I just really hope the interest of the gamers stick around for a long time, because I would like to experience first-hand grouping up with my friends and taking on some of these bosses. Whether you’re a fan of the series or a newcomer like myself, “Remnant II” promises a thrilling experience that will undoubtedly leave a lasting impression if you give it the time of day.
8.5/10
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Related: Nick Navarro Reviews
Gaming since I was given an original Nintendo as a kid. I love great storytelling and unique ingenuity. When both collide in a single game, I'm a happy gamer. Twitter/IG @NickNavarro87
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