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Risk of Rain 2

Risk of Rain 2 has that crucial "one more run" quality that the best roguelikes need to have, and offers a deeply compelling and addictive experience that proves that Hopoo Games can make a good roguelike regardless of what it looks like.
90%Game Brain Score
gameplay, music
grinding, stability
95% User Score Based on 211,858 reviews
Critic Score 86%Based on 17 reviews

Platforms

Nintendo SwitchEpic GamesPlaystation 5Playstation 4XboxSteam DeckWindowsPlayStationXbox Series X|SPCTabletCloudPhoneXbox OneNVIDIA GeForce NOW

About

"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.

Risk of Rain 2 screenshot
Risk of Rain 2 screenshot
Risk of Rain 2 screenshot
Risk of Rain 2 screenshot
Risk of Rain 2 screenshot
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95%
Audience ScoreBased on 211,858 reviews
gameplay5.3k positive mentions
grinding794 negative mentions

  • The replayability of *Risk of Rain 2* is exceptional, with a diverse character roster and extensive item combinations ensuring a unique experience in every run.
  • The game's humor and chaotic multiplayer moments create a lighthearted and entertaining atmosphere, making it a fun experience with friends.
  • The soundtrack is widely praised for its quality, enhancing the gameplay experience and contributing to the game's immersive atmosphere.
  • The game suffers from significant performance issues and bugs, especially after recent updates, leading to a frustrating experience for many players.
  • Some players find the gameplay repetitive and the lack of a structured narrative detracts from the overall experience.
  • Concerns about aggressive monetization tactics and rushed DLCs have left many players feeling disappointed and wary of the game's future.
  • gameplay
    11,000 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay of "Risk of Rain 2" is widely praised for its fast-paced, addictive mechanics and engaging roguelike elements, allowing for a unique experience with each run. Players appreciate the diverse character roster, each with distinct abilities, and the vast array of items that create dynamic synergies, enhancing replayability. While some critiques mention repetitive gameplay and a steep learning curve, the overall consensus highlights the game's satisfying progression, stunning visuals, and exceptional soundtrack, making it a standout title in the roguelike genre.

    • “The gameplay, music, areas, enemies, abilities, and items are all just so well done and put together; I seriously cannot suggest this enough for anyone looking for a fun game to lose themselves in!”
    • “The fast-paced gameplay and roguelike progression feel smooth; controls are responsive, visuals are sharp, and performance holds up well even in chaotic moments.”
    • “The core gameplay loop is incredibly addictive; each run feels different, challenging you to adapt your strategy on the fly.”
    • “The gameplay loop is extremely repetitive, and the difficulty increase just makes it more of the same.”
    • “The gameplay is fast-paced and intense, and the graphics are beautifully rendered.”
    • “The gameplay loop is pretty straightforward due to the underwhelming amount of items and interactions between them.”
  • music
    9,635 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in "Risk of Rain 2" is widely praised as one of its standout features, with many reviewers highlighting its exceptional quality and ability to enhance the gameplay experience. Composed by Chris Christodoulou, the soundtrack is described as electric, captivating, and a perfect fit for the game's atmosphere, making it enjoyable both in-game and as a standalone listening experience. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a major reason to play the game, with numerous players expressing their admiration for its ability to evoke strong emotions and keep them engaged throughout their runs.

    • “The soundtrack alone will punch your soul out of your body and throw it into orbit.”
    • “This game has honestly one of the best original soundtracks you will ever hear.”
    • “The music is indeed electric.”
    • “The music is absolutely trash and has no hard beat drops at all, the lore is unintelligent and dumb, and the gameplay is absolute garbage and addicting.”
    • “The music cuts in and out constantly and at awkward or inappropriate times, audio and graphical glitches are common, and many of the items have been tweaked and re-balanced in ways that end up making the game feel significantly less fun to play.”
    • “The music is forgettable, and the cheap art is just feeling so plastic with eye-blinding effect that everything just explodes in my face.”
  • replayability
    4,791 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The replayability of *Risk of Rain 2* is overwhelmingly praised by players, with many describing it as "insane" or "infinite." The game's diverse character roster, extensive item combinations, and procedural generation ensure that no two runs are the same, providing a fresh experience each time. Additionally, the inclusion of artifacts and regular updates further enhances its replay value, making it a highly recommended title for fans of the roguelike genre.

    • “It's a beautifully crafted, incredibly fun, and endlessly replayable experience.”
    • “The sheer variety: with a huge roster of unlockable characters, each with unique abilities and playstyles, the replayability is off the charts.”
    • “Combine that with character progression through specific achievements, and you have a nigh-infinitely replayable wave of fun.”
    • “The roguelike elements should encourage replayability, but instead, they create an experience where your success hinges almost entirely on whether the game decides to give you good item drops.”
    • “The game still has some issues with replayability, especially in the first hours of gameplay when you have few survivors, abilities, and items, therefore all the runs look the same.”
    • “While I would recommend the game because it's generally pretty fun to play, I'm having trouble finding reasons to actually do so and feel there is a lack of replayability.”
  • graphics
    4,544 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics of "Risk of Rain 2" have received a mixed but generally positive reception. Many players appreciate the game's vibrant, stylized art style, which effectively translates the original's pixelated aesthetic into a colorful 3D environment, enhancing the chaotic gameplay experience. However, some users have noted performance issues, particularly in later stages with numerous enemies on screen, leading to frame rate drops, while others feel the graphics could be more polished. Overall, the visuals are considered charming and fitting for the game's fast-paced action, contributing to its immersive atmosphere.

    • “The graphics are stunning, blending a unique art style with smooth animations that make every moment visually captivating.”
    • “The graphics and art style are beautiful, capturing a mysterious alien world with rich environments and eye-catching designs.”
    • “The art style is unique, and the music is the most captivating thing about this game.”
    • “It's far below the state of the art visuals gamers expect as a result of their decisions.”
    • “Its graphics are low-tier, the game has no plot, and the gameplay is very repetitive.”
    • “The graphics are so ugly I get a headache from playing (no exaggeration).”
  • story
    1,933 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The story in "Risk of Rain 2" is often described as minimal and fragmented, primarily conveyed through item descriptions and log entries that players can discover throughout their runs. While some players appreciate the depth of lore and the emotional undertones hidden within the game, many feel that the lack of a traditional narrative or structured progression detracts from the overall experience. Overall, the game is more focused on gameplay mechanics and replayability, with the story serving as an optional layer for those willing to explore it.

    • “They'll find a story that is emotional, tragic, a story that can stick with you like the best of books.”
    • “The world building and story are very good.”
    • “The story is surprisingly compelling, and the soundtrack is mouthwatering; I actually was a fan of the soundtrack far before I even bought the game, that's how good it is.”
    • “The story is as flat as it gets.”
    • “The game feels kind of empty, hollow... storyline is almost nonexistent, I know that's kind of the point, but I don't feel any urge to keep playing it personally.”
    • “If you're looking for a chill, story-driven experience, or if you get easily frustrated, you might want to look elsewhere.”
  • humor
    1,457 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in "Risk of Rain 2" is a standout feature, with players frequently highlighting the game's ability to create chaotic and hilarious moments, especially in multiplayer settings. The combination of absurd item interactions, unexpected deaths, and the game's self-aware difficulty scaling—where the game seems to "laugh" at players—contributes to a lighthearted and entertaining experience. Many reviews emphasize that playing with friends amplifies the fun, leading to memorable and often ridiculous gameplay scenarios.

    • “The 100% is funny, with the great quantity of different items and characters, every run can be different and enjoyable.”
    • “It's the perfect way to turn a bad day into a hilariously chaotic adventure.”
    • “The sheer amount of funny combos and diversity of gameplay from each survivor makes the game super fun.”
    • “The game is not in a playable state; so many bugs it's not funny.”
    • “Not funny.”
    • “A little less epic when the particularly unfunny developers absorbed all of my fun.”
  • grinding
    962 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed feedback from players. While many find the grind rewarding and enjoyable, especially when unlocking characters and achievements, others describe it as tedious and repetitive, particularly during longer runs or when facing difficult challenges. Overall, the game appeals to those who appreciate grinding for progression, but it may not be suitable for players who prefer a more streamlined experience.

    • “Even if not grinding, the action, boss fights, and item builds will have you and your homies mowing down troves of monsters and bosses well into the early morning.”
    • “My favorite part about the game is the steady pacing and fluidity, as starting a run is just as easy as two or three button clicks, and there are no grinding halts between every level or stage asking you which one of three upgrades you want to choose.”
    • “You aren't grinding for money or experience; you're grinding for achievements, which unlock new items, classes, and attacks.”
    • “The only real downside is that the game can feel repetitive if you’re not into grinding for unlocks or perfect runs.”
    • “Unlocking characters and items often requires incredibly specific and tedious challenges that force you to play in ways that aren’t fun.”
    • “The gameplay can be tedious and annoying but that's really my only gripe with the game.”
  • stability
    867 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The stability of "Risk of Rain 2" has significantly deteriorated following the acquisition by Gearbox and the release of the "Seekers of the Storm" DLC, with many players reporting numerous bugs, glitches, and game-breaking issues. While some users have noted that the game runs well on platforms like the Steam Deck, the overall consensus is that the game is currently a buggy mess, with multiplayer experiences often marred by desyncs and crashes. Despite some patches addressing initial problems, many players recommend waiting for further fixes before purchasing or playing the game.

    • “The game runs great on the Steam Deck and the only real gripe I have with it is the lack of mid-run saving.”
    • “Overall, no glitches or bugs and very enjoyable.”
    • “For an early access game, it's really good with very little to no glitches (so far), and I dread the day we find a game-breaking glitch, but I have faith in the developers and their game.”
    • “One of my absolute favorite games completely ruined by Gearbox and Take-Two Interactive with a horrendous DLC that botched the base game, and a recent EULA that wants to scrape all my personal data, prevent me from using mods, or even talk about glitches, bugs, or cheats.”
    • “A company running on deadline-driven development putting out absolute garbage that is known to be a buggy mess should not be forgiven.”
    • “The game went from 11/10 to unplayable, not just talking about balancing issues; I mean constant crashes, graphical glitches, you name it.”
  • optimization
    632 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The optimization of the game has received mixed feedback from users. While some players praise its smooth performance and ability to run well on lower-end systems, others report significant lag and performance issues, particularly in late-game scenarios with many enemies on screen. Overall, the game shows potential for good optimization, but many users express a need for further improvements to address the performance drops and bugs that can arise during intense gameplay.

    • “It has insane replayability, it's well optimized, it has very vast build options and it's honestly really fun to push the game to its limits.”
    • “This game runs so well on my potato laptop despite looking so amazing, a testament to the optimization it has.”
    • “The dev team toed the line between minimalist performance and gorgeous, communicative graphics to make an incredibly stylized style that never sacrifices readability or performance.”
    • “Now the game is super laggy and poorly optimized.”
    • “Not only does the game run poorly now, but I couldn't even get a loop in before it started to break, and unfortunately, I have a very good computer, so Gearbox ruined the optimization.”
    • “The game is unplayable since the 'Survivors of the Void' release due to severe performance issues.”
  • atmosphere
    525 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The atmosphere in "Risk of Rain 2" is widely praised for its immersive and captivating qualities, enhanced by a stunning art style and an exceptional soundtrack composed by Chris Christodoulou. Players describe the environment as a blend of vibrant, otherworldly visuals and atmospheric music that perfectly complements the game's intense action and exploration, creating a unique and engaging experience. Overall, the game's atmosphere is considered one of its standout features, contributing significantly to its replayability and enjoyment.

    • “The immersive world, the meticulously designed environments, and the stunning visuals create an atmosphere that's nothing short of breathtaking.”
    • “The music dynamically adjusts to match the intensity of the gameplay, adding to the game's atmosphere.”
    • “The atmosphere, level design, and intricate world-building of Dark Souls 2 create an unparalleled sense of immersion.”
    • “But between the volatile atmosphere and the things lurking in the shadows, survival might not be guaranteed.”
    • “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.”
  • emotional
    258 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The emotional aspect of "Risk of Rain 2" resonates deeply with players, often evoking strong feelings ranging from joy to heartbreak. Many reviews highlight the game's ability to create intense emotional experiences through its narrative, character development, and challenging gameplay, leading to moments of genuine tears and introspection. The community surrounding the game is described as supportive and wholesome, further enhancing the emotional connection players feel while engaging with the game.

    • “They'll find a story that is emotional, tragic, a story that can stick with you like the best of books.”
    • “This game made me cry.”
    • “Risk of Rain 2 is a game that will emotionally move you physically and mentally.”
  • character development
    179 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 distinct abilities and playstyles of each character, although some express that the depth of character development and narrative is minimal. Overall, the character design is often praised as a standout feature, enhancing the game's immersive experience and encouraging exploration of different playstyles.

    • “Edit: lore-wise this game goes deep, with great character development and a great story.”
    • “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 are all also very nice, unique, and have a flexible play style as you unlock more abilities for them by simply playing them and doing some challenges, some harder than others for sure but also very fitting considering the vibe of the game.”
    • “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.”
  • monetization
    151 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The monetization aspect of the game has sparked significant concern among players, with many perceiving it as a potential cash grab, especially following Gearbox's acquisition. While some reviews praise the absence of microtransactions and the game's focus on delivering quality content, others criticize the aggressive marketing tactics and rushed DLCs that feel exploitative. Overall, players are divided, with a strong desire for transparency and a commitment to maintaining the game's integrity without resorting to predatory monetization practices.

    • “Dozens of items, plenty of characters, DLC that's actually fun and rewarding, and no bullshit microtransactions.”
    • “No scummy business practices or intrusive microtransactions; once you buy the game, you get everything in the game. If you have the funds, I recommend buying and playing this game; seriously, it's fantastic.”
    • “As Hopoo Games demonstrated, you can have a really fun and engaging game without overflowing it with microtransactions and cringy events.”
    • “With Gearbox taking over publishing, the monetization approach has felt more aggressive, which is disappointing for long-time fans of the series.”
    • “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.”
    • “Gearbox surely knew that they were ruining this beloved game and pushed out a cash grab bugfest anyway.”
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39h Median play time
119h Average play time
11h Main story
135h Completionist
10-129h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 932 analyzed playthroughs
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