Many people describe Remnant 2 as a looter shooter, but that is categorically not the case. After 25 hours and four worlds, I’m still using my starter weapons. Albeit with some upgrades and alt-fires that add a delicious layer of absurdity. In addition, my armour is mostly composed of the same threads I wore when I walked in. But there’s nothing wrong with that. The key to customizing your character is not to collect and discard loot. But to add mods and mutations world by world, boss by boss, experimenting and upgrading until you hit upon the perfect mix. And rolling out of harm’s way, of course; lots and lots of rolling.
There are four classes – called archetypes – up for grabs initially, including one with an AI dog companion. I refused to use it in case the dog got injured, killed, or breathed on. It comes with a fifth class – Gunslinger – for pre-orders as well. Although I spent most of the time as a Hunter, although I’m not sure how I would’ve managed it without my partner playing a Medic. Despite the game’s toughness, it’s incredibly easy to be overwhelmed even by the most innocuous foes. You could say that we learned the hard way never to let our guard down.
The co-operative gameplay in Remnant 2 is a major highlight, and as someone always searching for immersive shooters to enjoy with my fireteam, Gunfire’s decision to allow the entire campaign to be played solo or with one or two friends is a welcome feature. However, players need to be considerate, as ammo drops are exclusive to the individual who picks them up. Though most other rewards are shared equally. Personally, I’ve been humorously dubbed a “loot goblin!”
As you progress naturally in the game, you’ll unlock various archetypes and trait points, enabling you to enhance numerous traits you collect. The abundance of traits, including some familiar ones from other Souls-like games like life, mod power, and defense, make it challenging to create the perfect RPG build. Some traits, like Scholar, require completing the campaign before unlocking. With each playthrough, you can level up different traits, allowing for diverse character progression.
Similar to Bloodborne’s flasks, the Relics in Remnant 2 can be swapped. But once you upgrade your original life-restoring Dragon Heart, it’s tough to part with it. Thankfully, the power of the Relics can be further improved by using relic fragments, which are plentiful in the game. Unlike rings and amulets, which offer substantial buffs and can be equipped in abundance, relic fragments provide more modest enhancements, and some are more effective than others.
Each world in the game contains dungeons, distinguishable by the soft golden glow of their doorways. The round ones are side paths that are almost always worth exploring. While the square ones lead to your main objective. Regardless of your exploration choices, you’ll encounter numerous enemies and engaging boss fights. As someone who isn’t typically fond of boss battles, I must admit that the element of surprise and the thrill of facing unknown challenges beyond the mysterious fog was truly exhilarating. Though a few encounters felt ordinary, there were some epic battles that left a lasting impression.
