Receiver 2

About

Receiver 2 is a single player shooter game. It was developed by Wolfire Games and was released on April 14, 2020. It received very positive reviews from players.

"Receiver 2" is a first-person shooter game that emphasizes gun handling and exploration. You play as a person waking up in a mysterious procedurally generated environment, armed only with a handgun. Mastering gun functions, finding radio frequencies, and uncovering the story are key elements as you navigate through various levels. The game features a realistic firearm simulation and a unique approach to the shooter genre.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

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91%

Audience ScoreBased on 2,542 reviews

gameplay305 positive mentions

optimization14 negative mentions

Receiver 2 offers an in-depth gun simulation with intricate mechanics that require players to manually perform every action, enhancing the realism and immersion.
The game features a unique narrative that intertwines themes of mental health, mindfulness, and gun safety, conveyed through collectible cassette tapes that provide valuable life lessons.
The Compound serves as a relaxing hub where players can practice their skills, explore secrets, and engage with the game's lore, adding depth to the overall experience.

The ranking system can be frustrating, as dying sends players back to the previous level, which can feel tedious and disheartening after investing significant time in a run.
The game can become repetitive due to the limited variety of enemies and environments, leading to a sense of monotony during extended play sessions.
Some players may find the controls overly complex and unintuitive, particularly the holstering mechanic that can lead to accidental discharges and self-inflicted injuries.

gameplay
1,037 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
29%
67%
4%
Receiver 2 offers a unique gameplay experience centered around meticulous gun mechanics, emphasizing realism and tactical decision-making. Players must navigate procedurally generated environments while managing complex firearm operations, including malfunctions and safety protocols, which can lead to intense moments of tension. However, the gameplay can become repetitive due to limited enemy variety and a punishing progression system that penalizes players for mistakes, making it a challenging yet rewarding experience for those who appreciate depth in firearm simulation.
- “Receiver 2 is an in-depth gun simulator with a seemingly basic gameplay loop that surprises with hidden depth and secrets throughout, and most surprisingly, some genuine, positive messages that show its heart is in the right place.”
- “Gameplay is very tactical and unforgiving and forces you to think about your every move.”
- “This attention to detail creates an immersive experience that demands patience, precision, and a deep understanding of gun mechanics, making it stand out in a genre that often prioritizes speed over authenticity.”
- “The gameplay is overly repetitive, literally only having 7 enemies, 4 of them being variants of the same one.”
- “The core gameplay loop is what makes this game tick, and that's where the critique is probably most important.”
- “The ranking system is terrible but other than that, needs more firearms and maybe a steam workshop, another issue is the fall distance, in the first game you could fall about 5 ft or so and be fine, in r2 you can fall barely 3 ft and you take damage.”
story
439 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
73%
2%
The story of *Receiver 2* is a complex and meta-narrative that unfolds through collectible cassette tapes and notes, exploring themes of mental health, media influence, and survival. While some players find the storytelling engaging and thought-provoking, others criticize its abstract nature and repetitive dialogue, which can detract from the overall experience. The game effectively combines its narrative with gameplay mechanics, creating a unique atmosphere that resonates with players, though it may not appeal to those seeking a straightforward plot.
- “The plot unfolds through cassette tapes scattered throughout the game world, which explore themes of paranoia, control, and psychological disintegration.”
- “The most thematically complete game I've ever played, whose gameplay requires you to slow down and pay attention and think things through and whose story is slowly pieced together from bits of information, and the occasional confronting story of someone else, which ultimately lead to themes about life that not only manage to be lessons I think everyone ought to learn but whose lessons ask from you the very same things that the gameplay does, creating a level of thematic cohesion I've never seen in a video game before.”
- “Receiver 2 is a masterclass in evolution, taking its barebones predecessor and expanding both the gameplay and storyline in compelling and challenging ways.”
- “The story might get a tad preachy at times, and the topics discussed can vary in range of effectiveness depending on your own real-life experiences.”
- “The sparse storytelling may feel cryptic or inaccessible to some, but it suits the game’s overall design philosophy by encouraging players to piece together meaning from their experience rather than relying on explicit exposition.”
- “There's barely any hints of any real story for the game; at the end, the game even tells you it has no story whatsoever; it's all metaphor about the real world, disguising basic media safety as a grand conspiracy to keep your attention.”
graphics
215 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
34%
63%
3%
The graphics in the sequel to Receiver have received significant praise for their substantial improvement over the original, showcasing enhanced textures, lighting, and overall visual fidelity that contribute to a more immersive atmosphere. While some players noted occasional performance issues and a lack of variety in environments, the majority agree that the graphical upgrades, combined with refined gameplay mechanics, elevate the overall experience. Overall, the visuals are considered a standout feature, effectively complementing the game's themes and mechanics.
- “The graphics are truly mind-blowing, the gunplay is extremely accurate and needless to say.”
- “The graphics are amazing and the amount of items you can physically or actually interact with is lovely.”
- “The graphics overhaul is glorious.”
- “The graphics were really bad, and I'm by no means a graphics snob.”
- “The low resolution graphics, combined with the lack of variety of areas, and being forced to listen to the same exact tapes in the same order over and over again made it difficult to want to complete.”
- “It's just receiver 1 with fancier graphics and slightly more content.”
atmosphere
134 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
51%
47%
2%
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its immersive and captivating qualities, blending stunning visuals, exceptional sound design, and a unique thematic depth that evokes feelings of tension, loneliness, and existential reflection. Players appreciate the game's ability to create a surreal, oppressive environment that enhances the gameplay experience, making it feel both challenging and engaging. Overall, the atmosphere is considered one of the game's standout features, contributing significantly to its appeal and emotional impact.
- “The atmosphere is done perfectly; the music and sound design are outstanding.”
- “The atmosphere of this game alone is enough to set you on edge.”
- “The sound design and general atmosphere are incredible, and the weapon modeling is, as to be expected, stellar.”
- “The atmosphere of this game is scary and lonely; the story is captivating, the visuals are impressive, and the firearm mechanics are addicting to gun enthusiasts like myself.”
- “The atmosphere is surreal and oppressive; the voice acting is on point, and the way the game treats handling a firearm is the most in-depth and accurate I've ever seen in a game.”
- “The horror elements (the tense atmosphere, the drones, and the messages you receive and what they imply) all of these are jacked up to eleven.”
music
109 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
64%
3%
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its atmospheric quality and ability to enhance gameplay, featuring a mix of intense synth tracks and haunting vocals that adapt to in-game situations. Players appreciate the option to import custom music, which adds a personal touch to the experience, although some have noted issues with the soundtrack's integration and repetitiveness. Overall, the sound design, including ambient effects and dynamic layering, significantly contributes to the game's immersive atmosphere, making it a standout feature despite some inconsistencies.
- “The atmosphere is done perfectly; music and sound design is wowzers.”
- “The sound design and music are incredible as well, with an intense beat and singing that increases in volume as you get closer and find more tapes, making every prefabricated room feel alive and unique.”
- “The music has subtle dynamic layering, usually remaining an ominous atmospheric track, with added chanting when near plot coupons, and a more frantic beat when engaging or being engaged by the enemy robots.”
- “The ambient music can be far too overpowering and hide drones; you can't hear anything unless you're in the same room/area, which means that you can walk into a room you think is safe because you didn't hear the drone watching the entrance.”
- “There's very little music: one variant plays when an enemy has spotted you; the other plays when you are in the vicinity of a tape.”
- “I'm not sure if the soundtrack even works correctly in the game; I've listened to the OST and haven't heard most of it in the actual game.”
optimization
61 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
15%
62%
23%
The game's optimization has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting significant performance issues such as stuttering, frame drops, and poor hardware utilization, particularly in open areas. While some users noted improvements in graphics and performance on higher-end systems, others experienced persistent lag even on lower settings, indicating that optimization remains a critical area needing attention. Overall, while the game is enjoyable, its technical shortcomings detract from the experience for many players.
- “Performance-wise, it ran at 200fps at all times on a 2080/i9900k laptop.”
- “Runs smooth in 4k even though I'm running on an old 1060 and still manages to look beautiful (major props to whoever did the optimization).”
- “The game seems pretty well optimized with me only noticing a small stutter when moving from some of the randomly generated sections of the level.”
- “This game is right up my alley being a FPS game with a complex system for firearms, a strange vibe, lore, and much more that is worth exploring, but unfortunately it suffers from numerous technical issues with stuttering, poor performance (hardware utilization is incredibly poor and 60 fps is the only viable option and despite that will occasionally drop for no good reason), a bad FPS limiter (don't use it as it causes bad frame pacing and constantly switches on and off; use a driver-enforced one instead of RTSS), bad TAA implementation that causes some of the most egregious ghosting I've seen in a game, and so on, which really holds the game back. It appears the developers have moved on; I've lost patience with it trying to fix it as best as I could, spending a lot of time trying to optimize it, but it's still a subpar experience that drags the game down. I would have also liked to have seen more rooms, buildings, and layouts as you end up experiencing them all rather quickly.”
- “Very poorly optimized; even on low settings with a PC exceeding recommended requirements, the game still lags down to 30 fps in some of the more open areas.”
- “The most pressing issue with the game is the performance. A lot of areas are fine, but randomly you will find yourself with massively reduced performance for seemingly no reason (like I will be getting 100+ on high graphics, then randomly be getting sub 60), and I have been struggling to fix this ever since they implemented proper level saving.”
replayability
36 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
31%
61%
8%
Overall, the game's replayability is highlighted as a strong point, with many players appreciating the procedural level design and the variety of mechanics that encourage multiple playthroughs. However, some reviews note that repetitive encounters and a lack of unique enemies can detract from long-term engagement. While the game offers significant replay value through exploration and experimentation, the absence of a compelling narrative or diverse challenges may limit its appeal for some players.
- “It stays true to the original format, but iterates enough to feel fresh and provide replayability.”
- “An amazing game with a great message, very enjoyable and satisfying gameplay, massive replay value, and a ton of secrets.”
- “The game has huge replay value.”
- “The procedural nature of the levels, while increasing replayability, can sometimes lead to repetitive encounters or less memorable environments.”
- “This coupled with the same old objective of collecting tapes could easily feel repetitive, and potentially hamper the game's replayability.”
- “While the turret and the drone have subtle variations from one another, they're still the same enemy you've fought before in the original game, so the lack of many unique enemies hurts long-term replayability, even if each playthrough is different by virtue of random level generation.”
grinding
35 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
6%
3%
91%
The grinding aspect of Receiver 2 is frequently described as tedious and frustrating, with players often feeling compelled to repeat levels due to the punishing death mechanics and lack of progression. While the game's detailed firearm simulation and learning curve can be engaging, many reviewers express that the repetitive nature of grinding for in-game trophies and the slow pace of progression detracts from the overall experience. Despite these criticisms, some players appreciate the challenge and depth of the mechanics, suggesting that the game may still appeal to those who enjoy a highly detailed and realistic approach to gameplay.
- “Getting the hang of the guns can be tricky, but not tedious.”
- “Tense, but not tedious.”
- “The gameplay loop can get a bit stale; trying to get some in-game trophies is grindy and repetitive, and sometimes luck is not in your favor.”
- “In a rogue-like game with zero upgrades or any form of progression, this becomes extremely tedious.”
- “The leveling system is quite tedious given that death results in having to repeat a level that you have already mastered.”
emotional
27 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is profoundly impactful, intertwining themes of mental health, self-regulation, and gun safety in a way that resonates deeply with players. Many reviewers highlight the game's ability to evoke introspection and emotional awareness, particularly through its "threat tapes," which address serious topics like trauma and suicide while offering a message of resilience and self-worth. Despite its challenging mechanics, the game succeeds in creating a unique atmosphere that balances gritty realism with moments of wholesomeness, making it a standout experience in emotional storytelling within gaming.
- “Receiver 2 has had an emotional effect on me in a way that very few games have.”
- “The 'threat tapes' really tore at me emotionally because of how real they are.”
- “This is the most emotionally impactful media I've ever consumed.”
stability
24 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
13%
96%
The game's stability is a mixed bag, with many players reporting frequent glitches, freezes, and crashes that can disrupt gameplay, particularly during loading transitions. While some users have experienced smooth performance, others have noted significant issues that detract from the overall experience, suggesting that the game is best purchased at a discount until further updates address these problems. Despite the instability, some players appreciate the developers' commitment to fixing bugs, indicating potential for improvement in future patches.
- “At the time of this review, during the first week of release, the game isn't 'bug-free', but based on the developers' previous releases, I am confident there will be both content and bug-fixing updates.”
- “The game runs smoothly overall, with only minor issues that are expected to be addressed in future patches.”
- “I appreciate the developers' commitment to stability; they have a solid track record of improving their games post-launch.”
- “With no actual updates in years to fix various buggy mechanics, progression, and other issues, I'd say it's best to get this game as cheap as possible.”
- “Game starts up to a disclosure notice, asks for permission to share analytics, then freezes in the middle of the loading screen.”
- “It runs incredibly poorly and more often than not I die because of stutter, freezes, or the abysmal framerate.”
humor
18 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is a mix of clever writing and absurd situations, with players highlighting the comedic interactions with game mechanics, such as the unpredictable behavior of ladders and the humorous commentary on firearms. While some jokes may lose their charm over time, the balance of goofy humor with deeper philosophical themes and real-world references adds a unique layer to the experience. Overall, the game successfully blends laugh-out-loud moments with engaging narratives, making it a memorable and entertaining experience.
- “Ladders also have that hilarious interaction where it can't decide which way you want to go when you move into them and/or you fall off them or fail to grab them (and die to fall damage).”
- “I also find it very funny that the in-game notes for revolvers tell you they're always better than semi-autos and the ones for semi-autos tell you they're always better than revolvers.”
- “Also they make funny jokes about the alphabet bois.”
monetization
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The monetization aspect of the game has been criticized for its intrusive advertisements, which disrupt gameplay and create a disjointed experience. Users feel that the ads, particularly those related to firearms, detract from the game's immersion and contribute to a confusing thematic tone.
- “It now teeters into this strange feeling, fight club-like pseudo philosophy and psychology, interspersed with what feels like advertisements for firearms and gun ownership.”