Remnant II – PS5 Review

Remnant II, the follow-up to an unassuming success in the bustling action-RPG domain, aspires to cleanse its post-apocalyptic realm, making it more welcoming to players. glorboTV's review for PS5 evaluates whether it accomplishes this endeavor.

The Soulslike shooter, Remnant: From the Ashes, managed to carve a niche within the discerning action RPG community. Its successor from Gunfire Games carries a weight of anticipation and promise due to this, entering a space that is more ambitious and audacious.

The impression one draws from Remnant II isn't solely influenced by their opinion of From the Ashes. Nevertheless, I do believe that the sequel manages to impress more if approached with fresh eyes or a sense of indifference to the original. It exemplifies the quintessential sequel concept of being "larger, bolder, and more hardcore than its predecessor."

Taking place after the events of the first game, Remnant II's post-apocalyptic setting has become even more overrun by the thorny creatures known as The Root. Consequently, the hazards of traversing this world have escalated. Fortunately, it falls upon you to eradicate the malevolent entities that inhabit this realm.

Remnant II introduces two distinctive elements inherited from its forerunner. It embraces the Soulslike genre while integrating firearms, and it employs a procedural structure. The latter of these elements is especially captivating in Remnant II. It means that each playthrough can diverge significantly from another player's experience. As a result, witnessing every facet of the game in a single run becomes practically impossible. This imparts an exhilarating and daunting quality that many attempts to capture the FromSoftware magic have struggled to attain.

The gameplay itself holds significance beyond this procedural aspect. While not groundbreaking, its class system and gun-focused combat harmonize well, providing an array of playstyles that accompany the varied experience of a playthrough. It predominantly centers on shooting with a hint of melee combat, yet the diversity in enemies and environments ensures a degree of freshness.

In my playthrough as a Gunslinger (an undeniable homage to Roland in a genre-bending post-apocalyptic narrative), the class functioned exactly as anticipated, incorporating a few intriguing twists through the upgrade system. Throughout my initial journey, I traversed futuristic alien worlds, barren deserts, and a heartfelt nod to Yharnam in Losomn. While the cohesion might occasionally waver, Remnant II's cross-dimensional adventures unveiled numerous delightful surprises.

Leveraging Unreal Engine 5's capabilities (although not all of them), the game excels visually beyond its expectations. From lush forests and post-apocalyptic ruins to extraterrestrial realms and infernal Gothic architecture, Remnant II consistently dazzles in terms of presentation. Yet, its technical limitations become more evident during occasional instances. However, these are not the primary concerns with Remnant II.

Have you ever gazed at an image sensing that something is amiss, yet struggled to identify the issue? Remnant II evoked that sensation in me for an extended period. It possesses a rawness that isn't immediately discernible. The closest I can come to an explanation is that the procedural nature of the game deprives Remnant II of a certain "traditional" sense of progression and coherence. It feels personal but comes at a cost.

I have mixed feelings about the sprawling, aggressive level design. On one hand, it leads to uncovering hidden gems within the world. On the other hand, it lacks clear direction and adopts a firm "figure it out, novice" stance. As mentioned, it has its charm, but this ambiguity might not resonate with everyone.

Co-operative play provides a touch of camaraderie within the harsh landscapes and alien domains. The game thrives when experienced with a group, unfortunately diminishing the solo experience. Navigating complex maps and confronting formidable adversaries becomes more manageable when there's a chance someone else might face the brunt of the challenge before you.

Truth be told, Remnant II doesn't commit major missteps. It's evidently superior to its predecessor, and I readily recommend it as one of the more commendable action RPGs available. Yet, the ways in which it fell short left a slightly bitter aftertaste in my experience. These are mostly minor issues, and I tend to advocate for games that pursue ambition despite certain shortcomings. Conversations with fellow players who've engaged with it have been enlightening, revealing diverse viewpoints and encounters. None have denied Gunfire Games' ambition with this sequel. Solely for that, I believe enthusiasts of the action RPG genre would miss out if they don't engage with Remnant II.

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