Risk of Rain 2
" Engaging action indie with deep item synergy and multiplayer co-op but plagued by instability and restrictive EULA "
Risk of Rain 2 Review
Risk of Rain 2 is celebrated as a highly addictive and engaging roguelike with a unique blend of procedural generation, intense difficulty scaling, and deep item synergy. Players praise its varied characters, strategic gameplay, and dynamic difficulty that evolves with each run, making every playthrough feel fresh and challenging. The game's art style, while not flashy, effectively supports gameplay clarity, complemented by an acclaimed soundtrack that enhances the experience. The multiplayer aspect adds significant value, especially when playing with friends.
However, the game's reputation has been marred by corporate decisions following its acquisition by Gearbox and Take-Two Interactive. Many users express strong dissatisfaction with the recent invasive EULA that collects extensive personal data, bans mods, and restricts player communication about bugs or cheats. Additionally, some players report multiplayer instability and frustration with certain DLC content, which they feel detracts from the base game's quality. Despite these issues, the core gameplay remains highly regarded by its community.
Highlights
Players consistently praise Risk of Rain 2's gameplay mechanics, highlighting its strategic itemization, diverse character abilities, and the ever-increasing difficulty that keeps runs engaging. The game's procedural level design and randomized teleporter locations boost replayability. The art style is appreciated for its clarity and uniqueness, while the soundtrack by Chris Christodoulou receives special mention for enhancing the game's atmosphere. Multiplayer mode, especially co-op play, is frequently cited as a major strength, making the experience more enjoyable and social.
Criticisms
The most common criticisms revolve around the new EULA imposed by Take-Two and Gearbox, which many players deem invasive and anti-consumer, involving extensive data collection and restrictions on modding and communication. Multiplayer suffers from stability issues, with frequent disconnects and unreliable reconnects. Some players feel recent DLCs introduce unbalanced or low-quality content, harming the game's overall experience. Additionally, certain gameplay elements such as the final boss fight and item balance are viewed as frustrating or inconsistent by parts of the community.
Pros
- • Engaging and strategic gameplay with deep item synergy and character variety.
- • Dynamic difficulty scaling that keeps each run challenging and fresh.
- • Procedurally generated levels enhance replayability and unpredictability.
- • Clear and unique art style supports gameplay clarity effectively.
- • Acclaimed soundtrack that enhances immersion and atmosphere.
- • Multiplayer co-op adds significant fun and social interaction.
- • Tangible progression system despite roguelike reset mechanics.
Cons
- • Invasive and restrictive EULA collecting extensive personal data.
- • Multiplayer instability with frequent disconnects and poor reconnect.
- • Recent DLCs criticized for unbalanced and low-quality content.
- • Restrictions on modding and discussing bugs reduce player freedom.
- • Some characters and items feel unbalanced or confusing to play.
- • Final boss fight can be frustrating and inconsistent in difficulty.
- • Corporate decisions have damaged community trust and goodwill.
Rating Criteria
Escape a chaotic alien planet by fighting through hordes of frenzied monsters – with your friends, or on your own. Combine loot in surprising ways and master each character until you become the havoc you feared upon your first crash landing.
