Review Roundup For Remnant 2

Souls-likes typically opt for swords and magic over guns, but Remnant 2 is following on from its predecessor by letting you shoot down all manner of horrific creatures--and reviews are painting a favorable picture of said action.

At the time of writing, over on GameSpot sister site Metacritic, Remnant 2 is sitting at a very comfortable 81 across 15 reviews, a strong start for a game that doesn't follow all the rules of a familiar formula. Critics generally seem to be responding well to the game's mixture of the Souls-like and looter-shooter genres, though that doesn't mean everyone is sold on the game.

GameSpot's Remnant 2 review scored towards the lower end compared to other critics, but still gave it a 7/10, writing, "Remnant 2 is exactly what you want from a sequel, such is the way it expands and improves upon the first game's ideas. It's not likely to blow you away, but the core gameplay loop--built on rewarding combat, an ever-expanding repertoire of skills and abilities, and the randomness of its procedural generation--latches on and refuses to let go."

Here's what other critics had to say about Remnant 2:

IGN - 9/10

It’s astounding to think that if I were to create a list of my favorite souls-likes, my favorite looter shooters, and my favorite procedurally generated games, Remnant 2 would appear on all of those lists. This is a triumphant sequel that doesn’t just reimagine the souls-like genre as a co-op looter-shooter, but absolutely nails that concept in nearly every way – including many that the original did not. -- Travis Northup [Full review]

Destructoid - 8.5/10

If you were a fan of Remnant: From the Ashes, chances are you already planned to pick up Remnant 2. If you haven’t played the original but are a fan of souls-like games, or even rogue-likes like Risk of Rain 2 or Returnal, this will be right up your alley. -- Steven Mills [Full review]

PCGamesN - 8/10

The minor gripes I have with Remnant 2 fade into insignificance when I’m in the thick of exploring an undiscovered realm or during a heated boss battle. Its structure is extraordinarily compelling, and its RNG-driven branching paths leave me puzzling over alternative outcomes and hidden possibilities between play sessions. -- Nat Smith [Full review]

Rock Paper Shotgun - Unscored

Every aspect of Remnant II is excellent, and I've only just scratched the surface. If you're up for round two, you can "re-roll" the campaign, which completely rebuilds the game with a random collection of areas and bosses. You also have the ability to reroll planets if you wish, for those who just want an extra dose of their favorite area. Remnant II doubles down on everything its predecessor did, and the result is an incredible achievement. I’ll be playing it regularly for years to come. -- Jason Coles [Full review]

Xbox Era - 7.6/10

Remnant II tickles greatness but falls short due to a few design choices. It is gorgeous, plays incredibly well, and should be one of the year’s best releases. I’m not sure if my issues with the game can be easily patched out, but I hope the devs at Gunfire Games give this one the same love the first game received over time. -- Jesse Norris [Full review]

Polygon - Unscored

Remnant 2’s biggest sin is its lack of identity. Don’t get me wrong, there’s a strong foundation at its core--but the cavalier way in which it borrows, both mechanically and aesthetically, from not only the Souls series but God of War, Control, and Returnal merely serves to remind me of all the more competent games I could be playing instead. -- Ian Walker [Full review]