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Risk of Rain 2

Risk of Rain 2 Game Cover
93%Game Brain Score
gameplay, music
grinding, stability
95% User Score Based on 230,234 reviews
Critic Score 85%Based on 1 reviews

Platforms

Nintendo SwitchEpic GamesPlaystation 5Playstation 4XboxSteam DeckWindowsPlayStationXbox Series X|SPCCloudXbox OneNVIDIA GeForce NOW
Risk of Rain 2 Game Cover

About

Risk of Rain 2 is a single player and multiplayer survival shooter game with a science fiction theme. It was developed by Hopoo Games and was released on August 11, 2020. It received positive reviews from critics and overwhelmingly positive reviews from players.

"Risk of Rain 2" is a 3D roguelike shooter where players fight to survive on an alien planet. With over a dozenhandcrafted locales, challenging monsters, and enormous bosses, each run is filled with new items and abilities to discover. Unlock eleven playable survivors, each with unique combat styles, and use Artifacts to modify gameplay for increased challenge. Your power, and that of your foes, increases over the course of a game, ensuring a constantly evolving experience.

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95%
Audience ScoreBased on 230,234 reviews
gameplay5.7k positive mentions
grinding829 negative mentions

  • Exceptional replayability with diverse characters, item combinations, and procedural generation, ensuring no two runs are the same.
  • Engaging and addictive gameplay loop, enhanced by a phenomenal soundtrack and unique character designs that contribute to a captivating atmosphere.
  • The humor and chaotic nature of gameplay create entertaining moments, especially in multiplayer settings, making each run uniquely enjoyable.
  • Frequent bugs, glitches, and performance issues, particularly in multiplayer mode, leading to frustration and a 'buggy mess' experience.
  • Repetitive gameplay and level design, with some players feeling that the grind for unlocking content can be tedious and overwhelming.
  • Mixed reception of the graphics, with some finding them overwhelming during intense gameplay and others criticizing the overall aesthetic.
  • gameplay
    11,816 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay of "Risk of Rain 2" is widely praised for its engaging and addictive loop, characterized by fast-paced action, unique character abilities, and a variety of items that create dynamic synergies. Players appreciate the game's blend of challenge and strategy, with mechanics that scale difficulty based on time, encouraging quick decision-making and exploration. While some reviews note issues with repetitiveness and the impact of recent updates on gameplay balance, the overall consensus highlights its replayability and the enjoyment derived from both solo and cooperative play.

    • “Engaging gameplay, unique characters, infinite replayability.”
    • “Addictive gameplay loop, lots of variety in playstyle (variety of characters, loadouts for each character, and item builds).”
    • “The gameplay loop is addictive, the co-op is a blast, and the variety of survivors keeps things interesting.”
    • “The gameplay is repetitive, the level design is a disaster, and the graphics do not help.”
    • “The gameplay became repetitive quite quickly; the objective is always the same, and the enemies start to repeat and are not very unique among themselves.”
    • “I cannot believe I spent money on this t**d of a game, thanks to you i***ts for the 'overwhelmingly positive' reviews that tricked me into buying this s**t of a parody of a game. I spent more than one hour killing the same f***ing enemies that respawn all the time; what kind of gamer could feel accomplishment in this kind of game mechanic?”
  • music
    10,685 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in "Risk of Rain 2" has received widespread acclaim, with many players praising its exceptional quality and emotional impact. Composed primarily by Chris Christodoulou, the soundtrack is described as electric, blending various genres to enhance the game's atmosphere and gameplay experience. Players often highlight the music's ability to elevate the intensity of battles and create a captivating ambiance, making it a standout feature that many consider worth the price of the game alone.

    • “The music is phenomenal.”
    • “Even if you decide not to get the game, listen to the soundtrack.”
    • “The soundtrack alone is worth buying; peak game 10/10.”
    • “The music is very calm and mellow, which is strange because runs in this game are chaotic and overstimulating, and the music just doesn't reflect this.”
    • “The music is bad, and all in all just kind of boring.”
    • “The soundtrack is a bit repetitive and can be annoying after a while.”
  • replayability
    5,136 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The reviews for "Risk of Rain 2" highlight its exceptional replayability, with many players praising the game's diverse characters, item combinations, and procedural generation that ensure no two runs are the same. The inclusion of artifacts and various game modes further enhances replay value, making it a favorite among roguelike enthusiasts. Overall, players find the game endlessly engaging, whether playing solo or with friends, and appreciate the continuous updates that add new content and challenges.

    • “Engaging gameplay, unique characters, infinite replayability.”
    • “The amount of characters, items, and enemies makes it very replayable and engaging after many runs.”
    • “The replayability, the art, the soundtrack, the characters.”
    • “The game's addicting, it's fun, it's incredible in its vastness of content, replayability and smoothness, but the game is straight up not designed for you to beat it.”
    • “A classic roguelite – a few characters, a few skills, a few maps, and a million modifiers that create the illusion of replayability.”
    • “The developer, of course, skimps on production costs by using the roguelite approach and faking replayability.”
  • graphics
    4,755 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics of "Risk of Rain 2" have received a mixed but generally positive reception from players. Many praise the game's vibrant and unique art style, which effectively transitions from the original's 2D pixel graphics to a colorful 3D environment, enhancing the overall gameplay experience. While some users note that the graphics can become overwhelming during intense gameplay with numerous enemies on screen, the game's aesthetic charm and smooth performance on various hardware configurations are frequently highlighted as significant strengths.

    • “Phenomenal gameplay, stunning visuals, immersive world.”
    • “This game is visually stunning, has great graphics, the gameplay never feels stale, and it's one of the best roguelike class-based shooters I've ever played, if not the best.”
    • “The graphics are beautiful, the gameplay is fluid, and every character has its own unique set of skills to keep everything fresh and exciting.”
    • “The gameplay is repetitive, the level design is a disaster, and the graphics do not help.”
    • “Despite the better graphics, the levels feel more barren and desolate.”
    • “The graphics are bland, the combat is repetitive, and the enemies are brainless.”
  • story
    2,066 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The story in "Risk of Rain 2" is primarily conveyed through environmental storytelling and logbook entries, allowing players to piece together a rich lore that enhances the gameplay experience. While some players appreciate the depth and tragedy of the narrative, others find it minimal and lacking in direct engagement, as the game focuses more on action and gameplay mechanics than a traditional storyline. Overall, the game offers a unique blend of lore and gameplay, appealing to those who enjoy uncovering hidden narratives while battling through its challenges.

    • “The intricate and detailed story that isn't shoved in your face or an essential part of gameplay but hidden away in logs and item descriptions, enemy boss and stage designs are excellent and the music.”
    • “The story that you unravel, the locations, the music, the bosses, they all come together beautifully.”
    • “The lore is a tragic masterpiece portrayed through old logbooks that let you slowly piece the story together.”
    • “There's not much in the way of a story or plot to keep you coming back, so once the gameplay gets boring there is no reason to play it ever again.”
    • “The lore is very deep as well, but you wouldn't know that because there are no cutscenes and the story is basically irrelevant/doesn't get in the way of the gameplay.”
    • “The story is not much of a story you would expect but with all the hidden secrets around certain maps and different types of perspective it does get quite interesting to watch through.”
  • humor
    1,552 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in "Risk of Rain 2" is a standout feature, with players frequently highlighting the chaotic and unpredictable nature of gameplay that leads to hilarious moments, especially in multiplayer settings. The game's ability to create absurd scenarios through item stacking and character interactions results in both laughter and frustration, making each run uniquely entertaining. Overall, the combination of funny character designs, quirky item effects, and the unpredictability of enemy encounters contributes to a lighthearted and enjoyable experience, particularly when shared with friends.

    • “Screaming with friends while trying to survive brutal trials somehow makes the horror even better and occasionally hilarious.”
    • “It's chaotic, hectic, and funny.”
    • “The loot system encourages experimentation—stacking items leads to game-breaking synergies or hilarious chaos.”
    • “Enough with the wandering vagrants, it's not funny.”
    • “The game is not in a playable state; so many bugs it's not funny.”
    • “A little less epic when the particularly unfunny people at Gearbox absorbed all of my fun.”
  • grinding
    1,007 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The grinding aspect of "Risk of Rain 2" is a polarizing topic among players. Many find the game to be excessively grindy, requiring significant time and effort to unlock characters, items, and achievements, which can lead to a tedious experience, especially in solo play. However, others appreciate the grind as a rewarding challenge that enhances the gameplay, particularly when playing with friends, making it a fun and addictive experience for those who enjoy grinding in roguelike games. Overall, while the grind can feel overwhelming at times, it also contributes to the game's replayability and sense of progression.

    • “Like in other rogue games, you will unlock new stuff to help you in every run, but they aren't tedious to get (apart from some specific character loadout skills), which I appreciate.”
    • “Even if not grinding, the action, boss fights, and item builds will have you and your friends mowing down hordes of monsters and bosses well into the early morning.”
    • “You aren't grinding for money or experience; you're grinding for achievements, which unlock new items, classes, and attacks.”
    • “The achievements behind these are inconvenient, arduous, and unfun; tedious.”
    • “When people log in to Risk of Rain 2, they want to play the game, not 'the grinding game' of having to grind XYZ before they can play it.”
    • “The grind is tedious, back-breaking, boring, and completely luck-based.”
  • stability
    874 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The stability of the game has been a significant concern among players, with many reporting frequent bugs, glitches, and connectivity issues, particularly in multiplayer mode. While some users have noted improvements following patches, the overall sentiment is that the game remains a "buggy mess," especially after recent updates and DLC releases. Players express frustration over game-breaking glitches that can disrupt long runs, and many recommend waiting for further fixes before purchasing or playing.

    • “The game runs great, the music is probably the best in-game music I've ever heard.”
    • “Overall, no glitches or bugs and very enjoyable.”
    • “The game feels very polished, it runs great with only a couple minor issues which will most likely get fixed soon.”
    • “I got it mainly to play on my Steam Deck and it's a troubleshooting nightmare.”
    • “Glitches force you to restart even if you're an hour into the run.”
    • “This game is a horrible mess that freezes and crashes any time you want to play with anyone.”
  • optimization
    677 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The optimization of the game has received mixed feedback from users. While many praise its ability to run smoothly on a variety of systems, including lower-end PCs, others report significant performance issues, particularly in late-game scenarios where excessive enemy counts and effects can lead to severe frame drops. Recent updates have attempted to address these concerns, but some players still experience stuttering and lag, especially during chaotic moments, indicating that further optimization is needed.

    • “Wonderfully optimized title - Hopoo would be proud.”
    • “The game is very well optimized and would recommend to try out and play.”
    • “This game is outstandingly optimized with even the craziest games with unbelievable entity counts, never going above 3 GB of RAM usage.”
    • “I like the game but what I hate is how badly optimized the game is; I have a good computer but I still run 5-10 fps even at the lowest settings.”
    • “The game is unplayable since the Survivors of the Void's release due to severe performance issues.”
    • “The newest DLC was the worst thing to ever happen to this game performance-wise and just in general buggy trash.”
  • atmosphere
    560 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The atmosphere in "Risk of Rain 2" is widely praised for its immersive and dynamic qualities, combining vibrant visuals, diverse environments, and a standout soundtrack that enhances the overall experience. Players appreciate the game's ability to evoke feelings of dread and excitement, with each biome offering a unique ambiance that complements the fast-paced gameplay. The atmospheric design, coupled with engaging lore and sound design, creates a captivating world that keeps players returning for more.

    • “The biomes are beautiful and eerie in equal measure, and the pumping soundtrack just adds to the overall atmosphere.”
    • “The music is absolutely phenomenal, further adding to the atmosphere.”
    • “The atmosphere is pure dread from start to finish, with disturbing environments, top-tier sound design, and constant pressure that never lets you relax!”
    • “How is anyone having fun on this boring PvM loop with terrible graphics and lackluster gunplay with no map and general miserable atmosphere? It is not even fun to explore and look for the portals you go through.”
    • “Great translation of a 2D game to 3D, however I miss Risk of Rain 1's darker and grittier atmosphere; I'm holding out hope it may still be added.”
  • emotional
    271 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The emotional aspect of "Risk of Rain 2" resonates deeply with players, often evoking feelings of joy, sadness, and nostalgia. Many reviews highlight the game's poignant soundtrack and storytelling, which can lead to moments of genuine emotional reflection and even tears during gameplay. Players appreciate the blend of thrilling action and heartfelt narratives, creating an experience that lingers long after the game is over, while also expressing frustration over recent updates that have impacted their emotional connection to the game.

    • “There are seriously sad and emotional undertones that feel poignant at times, and the game's soundtrack feels different once you are familiar with the lore.”
    • “The fusion of electronic beats, ambient tones, and emotional melodies captures both the loneliness of space and the thrill of survival.”
    • “This game has made me feel more things in 3 hours than in 18 years of life.”
  • monetization
    215 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The monetization aspect of the game has received mixed feedback from users. While many appreciate the absence of microtransactions and view the downloadable content (DLC) as valuable rather than exploitative, others criticize recent updates and DLCs as cash grabs that compromise the game's integrity. Overall, players express a desire for the developers to maintain a focus on quality content without resorting to predatory monetization practices.

    • “Dozens of items, plenty of characters, DLC that's actually fun and rewarding, and no bullshit microtransactions.”
    • “No microtransactions or any sort of exploitative game practices.”
    • “No microtransactions, loot boxes, etc.? Checkmate.”
    • “I used to love this game but now it's essentially a cash grab with too many bugs to care for it.”
    • “This game is nothing but a cash grab now.”
    • “The new content feels like a cynical cash grab, a way to squeeze more money out of dedicated fans without delivering the high-quality content we’ve come to expect.”
  • character development
    198 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Character development in the game is highlighted by its unique and visually appealing character designs, which contribute significantly to gameplay variety and replayability. Players appreciate the depth of lore and the distinct abilities of each character, although some feel that certain designs could be improved. Overall, the character design is consistently praised for its creativity and integration with the game's mechanics, enhancing the overall experience.

    • “The character designs are unique and varied, and playable with a reasonably high skill ceiling that only gets better as you do.”
    • “The character designs and kits are where most of the enjoyment comes from, aside from enjoying breaking the systems.”
    • “Every character design is wicked sweet, the writing is super witty and I love having a deep story that's only there for those that search for it, making it a reward for one's own curiosity.”
    • “There is no character development, no storyline, no goals, no sense at all to the blundering, mindless wandering in which you find yourself trapped until, mercifully, you exit to desktop, and remember that other games, real games, do exist.”
    • “The character designs range from okay to bad.”
    • “The maps are easily 3x as big and mobility is down, the items on whole feel weaker from what I experienced, and the character design is lacking where it isn't laughable.”
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85%Critics’ scoreBased on 1 critic reviews
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39h Median play time
116h Average play time
11h Main story
135h Completionist
10-131h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 980 analyzed playthroughs
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Frequently Asked Questions

Risk of Rain 2 is a survival shooter game with science fiction theme.

Risk of Rain 2 is available on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Steam Deck and others.

The main story can be completed in around 11 hours, while the entire game is estimated to take about 135 hours to finish. On average players spend around 116 hours playing Risk of Rain 2.

Risk of Rain 2 was released on August 11, 2020.

Risk of Rain 2 was developed by Hopoo Games.

Risk of Rain 2 has received overwhelmingly positive reviews from players. Most players liked this game for its gameplay but disliked it for its grinding.

Risk of Rain 2 is a single player game with multiplayer and local co-op support.

Similar games include Risk of Rain, Megabonk, Crab Champions, Borderlands 2, Nuclear Throne and others.