Highlights
- Remnant 2 improves on its predecessor in every way, such as in melee combat. The expanded variety of melee weapons and smoother animations make it a reliable option in many encounters.
- The Challenger archetype in Remnant 2 brings viability to melee-focused builds. It offers the best starting melee weapon, perks, and traits that compensate for bulky armor and weaponry. It addresses any gripes fans had about the first game's melee combat.
- Remnant 2 offers more options and customization for players. The five starting archetypes cater to different play styles, and the ability to create hybrid classes adds potential for fascinating builds and hundreds of hours of gameplay.
As a sequel to one of gaming's surprise sleeper hits from 2019, Remnant 2 had a lot on its shoulders ahead of release. The intervening years between Remnant: From the Ashes and Remnant 2 not only saw the first game achieve cult-classic status among fans but also the release of several competent entries into the Soulslike subgenre, which is surprisingly still rife with innovation and experimentation on FromSoftware's formula. With so much riding on the sequel to determine the staying power of the franchise, it's a relief to be able to confirm that Remnant 2 improves on its predecessor in every conceivable way, especially when it comes to melee combat.
While Remnant: From the Ashes gave players the choice between three classes that essentially amounted to "long range", "close range", or "mixed approach" options, Remnant 2's Archetypes are not only more numerous but also more varied. The five options that players have when choosing a starting point for their characters each cater to a different play style, and the ability to create hybrid classes later in the game adds potential for some fascinating builds and customization in the hundreds of hours of potential content in Remnant 2. After a lack of viability for a strict melee playthrough in the first game, Remnant 2 is putting the Dark Souls into "Dark Souls with guns".
Remnant 2's Approach to Melee Feels Better and Expands Available Options
Melee combat was always part of the conversation around Remnant: From the Ashes thanks to its Soulslike comparisons. After all, any Soulslike worth its weight should have the methodical, stamina meter-managing combat that the Dark Souls series is known for. That said, melee always felt like more of an escape hatch last-ditch option for when encounters got too hairy rather than a viable strategy to carry a player's build. Right from the first moments of using melee in Remnant 2, it's obvious that Gunfire Games has addressed any issues with close-range combat from the first game.
Not only are animations smoother and more fluid, players have a massively expanded variety of melee weapons to choose from. Now, instead of being an afterthought, melee combat in Remnant 2 feels like it is well-suited to be a reliable option in many encounters. Obviously, the name of the game is still ranged combat, but by giving players the option to build characters specifically around being melee-focused the developer has both made good on the Soulslike comparisons and increased Remnant 2's replay value for players wanting to run multiple characters with varied builds.
The Challenger Brings Melee Build Viability to Remnant 2
The Scrapper class from Remnant: From the Ashes was the best option for players who prefer to get up close and personal, and it makes a spiritual return in Remnant 2 thanks to the Challenger archetype. Archetypes are Remnant 2's replacement for the first game's classes, and even after selecting a starting archetype players can switch them later in the game at a certain point, creating opportunity for experimentation. The Challenger is even more viable as a melee-focused build than the first game's Scrapper thanks to some incredible traits and a killer starting loadout.
The Challenger begins with what is most definitely the best starting melee weapon in the Iron Greatsword. Not only is the weapon uncharacteristically swift for a two-handed greatsword, but it also looks like a chainsaw with a hilt. Impressive looks aside, the weapon does a great job of showcasing early on how great melee combat feels with a class that is built around getting right into the fray of combat and dealing melee damage. Add to that perks and traits that compensate for the class' preference for bulky armor and weaponry, and you have the best of both Remnant worlds. Between giving other classes some great melee options and a starting archetype that's viable as a mostly melee build, Remnant 2 goes a long way toward improving any gripes fans may have had about Remnant: From the Ashes' melee combat.
Remnant 2 is available now for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S.
