Recently I had decided to pick up a small game a friend of mine had recommended called Risk of Rain 2. The game sells for $25 and is on PC and Console, however the PC version is the most up to date, so purchasing it there is advised. As for it’s genre, it is a 3-D Roguelike, something that has rarely been done. A “roguelite” is a type of game that is relatively short, but has the twist of no two playthroughs ever being the same, and comes with the intention of being played several times. Something that makes them extremely addicting for some people. The game can also be played cooperatively with up to 4 people. 

However now that I have completed and played through the game several times I can say with confidence that the experience it offers is exceptional, and successfully pioneers the genre into 3d with a satisfying gameplay loop and chaotic fun.

As usual, a playthrough begins with choosing a character or “Survivor” to play as, all with extremely different styles of play and abilities to use. Such as the huntress, who is much weaker in comparison to the other characters but can deal massive amounts of damage to hordes of enemies with her bow. Or one of my personal favorites, MUL-T, a very tanky robot that is given a plethora of exclusively long and short range abilities to deal with every situation. I think the game’s characters are designed extremely well, because of how much potential they have if played correctly. 

After choosing, the actual game begins once you land on the first level and are tasked to find a teleporter to take you to the next level. All while defending yourself from monsters that spawn around you regularly. And defeating a boss before traveling to the next area. The game has a slow start for first time players due to the lack of direction. The only objective given is for you to reach the teleporter, and doesn’t highlight any of the game’s other features. Such as the use of the many chests and other interactables littered across the map.

The chests contain a single item that can vary in quality and are opened with money you get from defeating enemies. But the most important thing about them is that their effects improve upon getting copies of them. For example, getting more than one Soldier’s Syringe, an item that increases your attack speed, will increase it even further. Though because of this, the amount of items is very limited. And while this takes away from the variety of regular playthroughs, it makes it easier for players to familiarize themselves with items.

However, even if the player amasses a lot of them, what you should always keep in mind is that the enemies get stronger too. The game’s other major mechanic is the in game timer. Which as it ticks, the enemies also increase in power, as well as having a flat increase in strength that gets exponentially higher whenever you beat a level.

This was a design choice I thought was a really good idea, as by the later areas of the game, the enemies are significantly stronger than you and your run could end easily due to one of the few enemies that attack in large bursts of damage at once. Which to an extent can get frustrating but it keeps the player on their toes regardless of their progress in a run.

The game has much more to it, but I want to leave this hidden for anyone else interested in the game. But my final verdict is that I HIGHLY recommend the game,and if you’re looking for a time killer with an extremely satisfying payoff that can be played with friends for even more fun, then Risk Of Rain 2 is just the game you are looking for.