Remnant II Review (Doom)
Honestly, I'm regretting not playing the first game. I'll likely pick it up at some point because of how good this game is. Not that it's at all required for enjoying the second's story.
Let's start with the pros:
$50 price tag - In an era where most AAA games are being pushed out for $70 with additional $10-20 worth of "live service" battle passes and content this game is not only economical but you still get everything. The higher cost editions simply unlock content early.
No Live Service - mentioned above this game has a clear ending. Yet it retains it's replay-ability with the systems they created. There's reasons to go back to worlds using the adventure mode. There's procedural generated content that randomizes the game enough to make it easy to come back to.
Great co-op - While the game can be played single player it's also got 3 man co-op which is quite fun.
Souls-like light - The game has a lot of systems people who enjoy the Dark Souls style games will enjoy. It's less punishing by not removing your currency on death. Also since enemies are procedurally generated there's less memorization regarding levels and areas. Though memorization still matters regarding enemy move sets there's less emphasis on it overall. Otherwise difficulty is in enemy damage, your survive-ability, and ammunition conservation.
Graphics/Aesthetics - The graphics are great and the different area's all have their own distinct feeling. Unlike some games where there's visual confusion with everything going on I have never really had that kind of problem with this game. Aesthetically the area's all fit very well into what they are meant to be.
Show Don't Tell - For the most part the developers have adopted this approach to the game's lore and items. It rewards exploration and investigation. There's a reason there's an inspect item option and usually will lead you to secret locations and rewards. If you see a door you can't open it's usually a shortcut, take a moment to explore the area and you'll be rewarded.
Randomization - They built replay-ability into the game in a great way. When one boss has potentially 4 different rewards based on what you do before the boss fight as well as during the fight there's great reasons to go back to fight that boss. Alternate rewards besides usually bosses can have alternate move sets as well making the fight different from before.
Cons:
Mechanics - Some of the mechanical issues with the game are tied to various things. I like the Sci-Fi area of N'Erud aesthetically for what it portrays but mechanically it's open area's aren't implemented as well as the other worlds. Some of the materials you receive simply aren't used in amounts close to how you receive them while others are used far too much yet you barely get them.
Story - Overall the story is fine, while I listed Show Don't Tell as a pro for the game at the very end of the game it lacks critical exposition for the ending. Which is kind of disappointing.
3 Man co-op - I enjoy the co-op but this game like a great many has adopted the 3 man co-op rule. When you have 4-5 friends all playing at the same time this usually leaves someone out.
Armor - Armor plays a role but not as much as accessories. It'd be nice for a transmog type system to be implemented at some point so you can look a certain way while retaining the benefits of the armor of your choice.
At this point they can create DLC in the game in the form of new archetypes, new worlds to explore, and new weapons. If they do this I can easily see myself throwing money at them for it.