Dark Souls has to be one of the most influential franchises in video games. The franchise is single-handedly responsible for introducing a genre of gaming. Imagine a game that throws you into a dark and mysterious world, filled with challenging enemies and even tougher bosses. This is the essence of a Souls-like game.
- Remnant 2 is Soulslike with a twist, it ditches swords for a frenetic focus on gunplay with diverse weapons and customizable mods.
- The procedurally generated world ensures constant discovery and replayability.
- The game contains unique biomes, enemies, and bosses on each playthrough.
- While it borrows elements from Soulslikes, Remnant 2 offers a more forgiving approach with death not leading to harsh penalties.
- Overall, Remnant 2 is a genre-bending masterpiece that blends familiar soulslike elements with a focus on guns, exploration, and co-op.
Not every studio has been able to capture the essence of the original and has released games with mixed results. However, there have also been rare successes where a game not only adapts the soulslike formula but also elevates it. Remnant 2 is one such success and has to be one of my favorite Soulslike.
Remnant 2 throws a wild curveball at the soulslike formula: What happens when you swap swords for shotguns?
Remnant’s Unique Gunplay
Limiting Remnant 2 to ‘Dark Souls with Guns underestimates its innovative gunplay mechanics. However, in my opinion, this has to be one of the biggest oversimplifications. I had a great time playing Remnant 2 and that is in part due to the exceptional combat in the game.
Unlike the deliberate, methodical swordplay found in most Soulslikes, Remnant 2 embraces a more action-oriented approach. Players wield a variety of firearms, each with distinct handling and tactical applications. You do have your classic weapons like Assault Rifles and Shotguns. Still, the game introduces some incredibly unique and fun weapons.
Most of these weapons can be crafted after defeating an important boss or uncovering a secret. Moreover, these guns come with their unique abilities that take combat to another level. You can get the cube-shaped Enigma that fires lighting, or Nightweaver that can fire unlimited bullets as its special ability.
Remnant 2 also has quite a few melee weapons. Again, you can get special melee weapons by defeating bosses, each with their unique special powers. The inclusion of weapon mods further emphasizes this gameplay philosophy. These customizable attachments alter the behavior of your guns, adding elemental effects, increasing damage output, or improving magazine capacity.
The Everchanging World
Another thing that truly sets Remnant 2 apart is the world players need to explore. Whenever you defeat a boss from one world you are immediately given the option to travel to another. These worlds are unique from each other and feels like you have stepped into a different game. In my opinion, this just keeps the world fresh and exciting.
I remember going from a futuristic high-tech planet to a forest with plant demons. It is just not one world, players are allowed to visit several different biomes, each with their unique enemy and bosses. If this wasn’t enough, Remnant 2 also has two versions of each world you visit. This means that each visit will result in unique storylines and unique settings.
During my playthrough, I went through this Elves section of the game with Castles and Royal enemies. However, during my next run, the same world transformed into something straight from a horror game, a village with Dark Elves.
Furthermore, the game utilizes a procedurally generated system. Each time you venture into a new area, the layout is randomized, with different environments, enemies, and loot pools. This creates a sense of constant discovery and forces players to strategize on the fly rather than rely on memorized routes and enemy placements.
The procedurally generated nature also enhances replayability. No two playthroughs are the same, encouraging players to delve back into the world and experience its ever-shifting landscapes and encounters.
Elevate The Souls Formula
Remnant 2 is considered a Soulslike for many reasons. However, the game doesn’t just borrow things from the franchise it puts its unique spin on it. Developers of Remnant don’t abandon the core principles that make these games so compelling. It cleverly integrates these elements to elevate the overall experience.
Similar to Soulslikes, Remnant 2 employs a checkpoint system. Scattered throughout the world are World Stones or Shards which serve as resting points. Here, players can heal, restock their consumables, and acquire new traits. However, unlike soulsborne games where death leads to lost experience or currency, Remnant 2 adopts a more forgiving approach.
Dying simply sends you back to the last Stone you activated, without penalty. This allows for a more forgiving learning curve, especially for players new to the genre. Sometimes the game even encourages players to simply die and restart at a checkpoint. You also carry a special potion at all times that simply allows to player to die and restart at their latest checkpoint.
Remnant 2 also captures the essence of soulslike storytelling. The narrative is fragmented, revealed through item descriptions, environmental details, and cryptic NPC dialogue. Players must piece together the lore themselves, adding a layer of intrigue and mystery to the world.
Remnant 2 transcends the ‘Soulslike with Guns’ label. Its innovative gunplay, ever-shifting worlds, and clever integration of soulslike elements craft a distinct and exhilarating experience. It’s a genre-bending gem that carves its own path in the realm of challenging action RPGs.
If you are looking for a Soulslike that also feels fresh, then I recommend giving this game a try.
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I’m a Computer Science undergrad by day, and a gamer by… well, most of the rest of the time. Been around games forever, from the classics like CS 1.6 and Halo to the latest stuff like Valorant and Palworld. Competitive FPS is my jam, but you won’t catch me skipping a good campaign – Red Dead Redemption 2 and The Last of Us hold a special place in my heart. Outside of gaming, I’m a huge movie buff. Basically, I’m here to dissect the latest games, share some laughs about pop culture, and maybe even recommend a good film.
