Before I start, let me just state that this isn’t a review. More of an opportunity for me to gush about a game that sits firmly in my top five of all time. If the previous statement isn’t enough of a validation, then let this next sentence satiate your need for someone else’s opinions. Play this game, buy it right now, experience everything there is to love about gaming. Risk of Rain 2, developed by Hopoo games, is everything a game should be. And this is my love letter to it. 

Easily 10/10. 

(Just so we’re clear ^^)

The Music:

I’m just going to arbitrarily start with the music (I’ll get to the gameplay, and all that) but the work that Chris Christodoulou did for this and the original Risk of Rain is the epitome of what a gaming soundtrack should be. Just going to drop my personal favorite stage music which also happens to be a tribute to the late, great musician Prince.

The music strains from incredibly calm and soothing to an absolute gangbang of percussion and ambience. I regret using the word gangbang, but god damn there is no other way to describe it. Not only does your character physically journey through each stage of the game but your ears get to tag along too. Each stage presents a unique ambience as well as a unique sound. The music seems to start like most of my cooking adventures. We start with a low simmer, just a bit of background noise and a faint melody. Oh some bubbles, the music starts to build and rise into a focal point. Oh no, I left the room and my pot transformed into a 700-foot rock golem with lasers for eyes, and you are just engrossed in this thumping, pulsing vibrant display of musicality. 

Seriously, go check out Chris Christodoulou’s work. 

Gameplay:

Easy to pick up but can be difficult to master. As a roguelike with a variety of characters, difficulties, and modifiers your Risk of Rain 2 experience can be literally whatever you want it to be. Do you want to be a literal God? It can happen on any run at any time. Do you want to put yourself at literally four times the normal monsters with one-fourth of your regular health? You can do that too. Do you despise your friends and wish to harm them? Talk that shit out or just turn on friendly fire.

For anyone who hasn’t played or doesn’t know the objectives of Risk of Rain 2, let me just simplify it. You start on an unknown world, dropped in from the sky. As you take your first steps, you are encountered by monsters of all shapes and sizes, and.. Oh my god, yes, they drop some form of currency when they die. Currency which can be used to open chests, buy items, and unlock shrines. Add in a dash of RNG (random number generation) and a literally endless stage counter and you’ve got yourself a stew. Please play with your friends, 4 player co-op is the absolute best.

Hopoo, the developer, has been pushing all sorts of content releases, free by the way, since the initial alpha, beta, and early access. Each update has seemingly improved on an already near-perfect concept. Their introduction of Artifacts which modify your runs has been a personal favorite. They have also littered this game with secrets and Easter eggs, so treasure hunters get in here.

Items:

Sorry just wanted to drop in some bits about the itemization options in this game. From simple to complex, the items in Risk of Rain 2 allow the player to accomplish a variety of things. Want to run faster? Grab a goat hoof and an energy drink. Want your attacks to periodically proc chain lighting, better grab that ukulele. Plus each item has it’s own stacking and scaling so feel free to grab 50 Soldier’s Syringes and watch your attack speed break the sound barrier. You can also: 

• Create portals for you and your buddies 
• Recycle items 
• Halve your health but double your damage 
• Call down a holy shower of meteorites 
• Fly 
• Spawn little happy healing plants 
• And so much more.

Characters:

The characters in this game are why I have over 200 hours logged in Steam. Each character presents a unique and satisfying game plan which can be adapted and evolved based on itemization. Each character also brings its own set of challenges that can be completed to unlock new abilities and skins! You start with a simple commando character, two pistols, and some alternate firing abilities but as you progress you will unlock different characters and subsequent playstyles. Always wanted to be a sword-wielding anime badass? Unlock the Mercenary. Want to be your true lazy self and use turrets to do all your work? Unlock the Engineer. There’s more but solving the mysteries and unlocking the characters was one of my favorite parts of Risk of Rain so I won’t play spoiler.  

A Final Testament:

There’s more, there is so much more to this game. I can only say “you need to play this” in so many ways and forms before I either get my point across or it rings on deaf ears. As of today, it will be officially released at 11:00 AM EST and you know I’ll be there. Today does mark their “official release” as it has now been out on steam for just under two years. Currently it runs for $25 which is an absolute steal considering that you get more content than most $60 games. Please just do you and your friends a favor and grab this game, grab it and play the shit out of it. It is a testament to why we play games, an experience like few others can replicate. I really just want you to know that I love it. I do, it has everything I ever wanted and a bunch of stuff I didn’t even know I wanted. 

Play it, do it, come on. 

It’s worth it.