I’m excited to jump into this; I think Hopoo Games and Gearbox Publishing have given us a treasure with Risk of Rain Returns. One of the user reviews labeled this as the “gold standard” of what a remaster should be, and I must say, that piqued my interest. Does it live up to the hype, though?
I was initially drawn to the sheer volume of content. More items, enemies, locations, and trials? Sign me up. The fact that I could play with the old ruleset and items or experiment with new ones was an intriguing aspect, and I wholeheartedly agree with the user who praised the game for its accessibility features and controller support.
a vibrant showcase of chaotic, fast-paced action set against beautifully crafted, alien environments
Yeah, the added content and quality of life improvements is a real game-changer for me. Coming in as someone new to the game, there’s this balance of complexity and chaos that Risk of Rain managed to master. The controls took some getting used to, but the game rewards players that don’t shy away from exploiting the verticality of the levels.
As a speedrunner, the game’s pace is of the essence. Risk of Rain Returns does provide a stunning array of items and gear to aid in speeding up the gameplay. The synergy between the Ukulele, which electrifies your attacks, and the Brilliant Behemoth which makes your attacks explode, is just one of the many satisfying combinations that help me whittle down my clear time.
As much as the mechanics allow for some fast-paced action, the complexity of character development is where the game shines for me. The introduction of new characters like The Drifter, that has these incredible supportive and offensive capabilities, adds an extra layer of strategic depth. There’s a distinct feel and learning curve for each survivor.
I concur. The Drifter’s unique scrap-gathering ability and the choice to either empower her teammates or herself added another level of depth and strategy to the gameplay. This, paired with the improved multiplayer services, built upon the camaraderie and tension between players I loved in the original.
Speaking of tension and mood, the soundtrack by Chris Christodoulou really punctuates the atmosphere in such a fantastic way. There’s this omniscient sense of urgency and intensity that his beats just hammer home.
The sound design certainly complements the upgrade to the visuals. The animations are smoother, and the graphics have received a noticeable polish. All of this enhances the rush you get when you’re facing against a swarm of enemies.
distinctive art style, featuring colorful, minimalist landscapes
What’s a game without its challenges, though? Even with all these improvements to gameplay and overall experience, there’s a decent level of difficulty to it. The combat is challenging and the complexity of choosing and applying the right loot combination adds depth to the gameplay.
The challenge level extends beyond combat, though. Artifacts that affect how your run proceeds adds a sort of puzzle element to the game, and I appreciate how this encourages creativity and influences replayability.
Despite its challenging aspects, at times I feel like there’s just too much going on at the screen at once, making it a bit overwhelming especially for new players.
The chaos can be a bit much, especially when speed is your goal, but I think it adds to the replay value. No two runs are alike with the variety of combinations of items you can find. Regardless of the chaos factor, it’s a definite speedrunning gem.
otherworldly terrains teeming with enemies and powerful bosses
I can see the resemblance between Risk of Rain Returns and its predecessors, particularly the improved sequel Risk of Rain 2. However, Returns revitalizes the original game’s essence, offering a more optimized and enhanced version, making it a stand-out game in the roguelike genre.
My hope is for Hopoo Games to continue to support and expand this game, adding new survivors, artifacts, and challenges. The potential for this brand of chaos and complexity is vast and I hope they explore it.
I’d love to see them refine the on-screen chaos a bit. I believe reducing the visual noise without sacrificing the game’s core fast-paced action would appeal to more newcomers like myself.
As a speedrunner, my only wish would be for more official speedrunning support. Nonetheless, as it stands, Risk of Rain Returns is a thrilling rush that I’m excited to keep on running.
Well said Gamer99. Hopoo Games and Gearbox Publishing did not disappoint. Risk of Rain Returns pushes the boundary of the roguelike genre, and I’m excited to see the future of this game and its sequels.
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