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The year 2023 has already proven to be exceptionally abundant in terms of video game releases, and it's only August. The upcoming fall season promises its usual wealth of highly anticipated titles, as publishers traditionally reserve this period to launch their top-notch games onto the market.
With major releases like Hogwarts Legacy, Star Wars Jedi: Survivor, Diablo 4, and more, we'd be content with the games released this year even if it ended now. And looking ahead, there's more to come, like Starfield, Marvel's Spider-Man 2, and the new Assassin's Creed game we've been waiting for a long time.
Yet, there's a game we recently had the opportunity to play that might not have gained as much attention during its release compared to those mentioned big titles. However, its remarkable quality makes it, in my view, a strong contender for the title of game of the year. And this is true even though we're discussing it this early, well before the year has even reached autumn.
Absolutely, we're referring to Remnant 2, a third-person shooter in the style of Souls-like games developed by Gunfire Games, the same studio that brought us the impressive predecessor, Remnant: From the Ashes. In this piece, I aim to convey why I believe Remnant 2 deserves the utmost acclaim and why it's highly likely to stand as a formidable contender for one of the top games of 2023, and why not even for the Game of the Year title.
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Remnant 2 Review
Remnant 2 is a unique game in its genre
Amid a multitude of similar games that, once played, tend to blur together and imitate each other's content with little variation, Remnant 2 shines by presenting a distinct style. Even if you attempt to draw comparisons, it defies likeness, as there's truly nothing quite akin to it.
Admittedly, Remnant 2 falls within the third-person shooter category, and while it doesn't revolutionise the genre itself, what sets it apart is the seamless integration of Souls-like elements into firearm-centric gameplay. The remarkable equilibrium it strikes between challenge and fun is a rarity. While there are other shooters incorporating Souls elements, none come close to the level of excellence displayed by Remnant 2.
Ever-changing, dynamic world
Undoubtedly, one standout aspect of Remnant 2 lies in its ever-evolving in-game world. The game comprises three primary realms and an additional trio of secondary ones. While the secondary realms remain constant, the three primary ones exhibit a multitude of transformations. This includes the intriguing possibility of merging elements from distinct dungeons, resulting in a truly remarkable blend of designs.
Consequently, it's highly unlikely that you'll encounter identical designs in any of the three worlds upon replaying the game. Moreover, the distribution of loot within these worlds is also randomised, ensuring varied discoveries in different locations.
When you consider all of these factors, there's truly nothing else in the realm of video games as distinctive as Remnant 2.
Secrets within secrets
Initially, before diving into Remnant 2, I believed the concept was merely a marketing ploy. I mean, having hidden aspects in a game is already intriguing, so the idea of secrets within secrets seemed a bit much. However, it was only after investing numerous hours into this exceptional game that I grasped the depth of this notion.
As an illustration, during a co-op session on a level I had traversed countless times, my attention was caught by a subtle purplish gleam in what appeared to be an unreachable spot. Intrigued, I made the choice to investigate and uncover this little secret.
By chance, I stumbled upon the method to access that spot; it involved boarding the elevator, promptly disembarking, and anticipating another elevator's arrival, which unlocked passage to an entirely new area. This unexpected discovery left me truly captivated.
And this is merely one instance among numerous within the game, showcasing an array of secrets, from concealed barriers and dual elevators to crevices beneath challenging spots and an abundance of other concealed elements. It gives me the impression that if someone aimed to uncover Remnant 2's hidden gems independently, without consulting online guides, it could potentially occupy them for many years of gameplay. It's truly enthralling.
Tonnes of distinct loadouts for various playstyles
It's accurate to acknowledge that this approach isn't unprecedented in other games. Yet, it would be unjust not to highlight it, as Remnant 2 offers well over a hundred distinct possibilities that can entirely reshape your gameplay style, setting it apart from any other.
The game allows for extensive customization of your playstyle through a vast selection of firearms and melee weapons, along with a plethora of rings that bestow various perks upon your gameplay. Additionally, amulets and trait cards further augment your experience, introducing significant shifts to the gameplay. This flexibility even permits you to switch loadouts, facilitating easier adaptation to varying scenarios.
On top of these numerous features, the game also incorporates support for ten distinct classes, referred to as archetypes, each delivering a distinct gaming encounter. Following the game's initial stages, archetypes can be altered on-the-fly during gameplay, and the possibility to include a secondary archetype further enriches the experience.
Huge replay value
When discussing the dynamic worlds, I intentionally omitted the distinct scenarios within the main worlds to dedicate a separate paragraph to them. The three principal realms—Losomn, Yaesha, and N'erud—each contain primary sections abundant with dungeon variations.
However, contingent upon your entry point in the world, each of these areas unfolds into two different scenarios, accompanied by two distinct main bosses. Effectively, you can experience six distinct levels instead of just three, an aspect that, coupled with diverse dungeons, contributes significantly to the game's substantial replay value.
Beyond these diversifications, the option to engage in Adventure mode allows you to replay levels with distinct configurations, offering the opportunity for multiple repetitions without compromising campaign progress. Furthermore, once you've reached a particular stage in the game, you're presented with the choice to re-roll the campaign while retaining your character's advancements. The seamless and intuitive execution of all these features is genuinely praiseworthy.
Just perfect co-op
Upon my initial playthrough for the purpose of writing a review, I tested the game using a review code and dabbled in co-op with a colleague. Back then, I wasn't particularly fond of it due to certain technical issues. However, once those concerns were ironed out, I could confidently assert that the co-op experience is among the most proficiently executed in any game. A maximum of five players can seamlessly join your session and vice versa, fostering a unique and enjoyable dynamic that truly elevates the gaming experience.
Co-op proves particularly beneficial when aiming to enhance various archetypes, and it also preserves all the loot acquired during co-op sessions, whether you're the host or a guest, ensuring a lasting impact on your progression.
Remnant 2 stands as an undiscovered treasure that you absolutely should experience if you haven't already. The game's myriad offerings are bound to captivate you. Despite the fact that it's only August, my perspective on its potential as the game of the year remains unwavering. Yet, I'm open to being pleasantly surprised, hoping that the upcoming anticipated titles will leave a similar mark on me as Remnant 2 did.
