Remnant 2, the next shooter RPG from Gunfire Games, will transport players into an alternate reality with bosses and loot in great abundance. The post-apocalyptic sequel was one in a multitude of surprise announcements at the end of 2022, and this new project has many potential features that could elevate the gameplay loop beyond that of the original. The IP is part of a larger group of Soulslike games with interesting settings, so players could expect Remnant 2 to deliver updated gameplay in its thematic world.
Permeating a brutal atmosphere, Remnant: From the Ashes matched players against beasts risen from a mythical apocalypse. The cooperative nature of the first game allowed players to drop into each other's sessions and delve into the mysterious depths of a ruined Earth. Customization, handcrafted weapons, and strange relics are a few established characteristics of the experience, and the sequel might extend those larger features into a much more comprehensive adventure. Remnant 2 is shaping up to be an ambitious return to this dark universe, and several innovations could give players a lot to prepare for before its planned release in 2023.
New Crafting Systems in Remnant 2
One of the more rewarding aspects of Remnant's gameplay loop is crafting. Presenting an aesthetic that conjures similar thrills to great post-apocalyptic games on PC like STALKER, weapons in Remnant 2 may experiment with its hybrid of fantasy and industrial components. The first game allowed players to create powerful weapon variants from unique item drops, and it would be interesting to see whether players will also be able to mix attachments in creating their own survival tools to some degree.
With an expanded set of systems, Gunfire Games has a prime opportunity to take advantage of the handcrafted, survivalist elements of Remnant 2's appeal. The development studio has already confirmed that players will be able to optimize their gear for different zones and bosses in the sequel. On this note, there is a higher possibility that new modifications will be connected to players' equipment as they discover these challenges. What could be particularly exciting are melee and ranged weapons specializations, and there were already many unique weapons in Remnant which might inspire entirely fresh concepts.
Remnant 2 Could Have Larger Hubs
Amidst its unique universe, Remnant 2 fans can look forward to unseen areas which evolve the first game's worldbuilding. As a point of comparison with Soulslike titles, Remnant: From the Ashes utilized a checkpoint system to track players' progression through a diverse network of regions. Given the success of FromSoftware's Elden Ring, the team at Gunfire Games could take inspiration from one of the best open-world games by exploring larger, interconnected maps at an engaging pace for stronger gameplay variety.
While players should not expect Remnant 2 to target the massive scale of FromSoftware's latest title, larger hubs could offer a sense of non-linearity that amplifies the potential of the first game's level design. Questing will be a focus in the follow-up, and it looks like some of that storytelling could be accomplished through deeper NPC interactions. A greater number of discrete safe zones could be a considerable addition for those players that mean to invest themselves in the lore. It even looks like some of the horror elements in Remnant 2 might be inspired by Resident Evil 4, another game that distinguished itself with memorable encounters and characters.
Player Choice in Remnant 2's Quests
Regarding the sequel's main quest, little is known about the exact range of choices that will be available in-game. Originally, players could complete events to gain character traits in Remnant: From the Ashes, which is one possible route for more RPG elements to shine. However, there are some hints that there will also be narrative twists for fans to look forward to. The studio is promising branching questlines alongside added replayability within its computer-generated dungeons - it would be remarkable if the team could maintain its standard for quality action in addition to having more player agency than the original.
If Gunfire Games can manage to deliver, Remnant 2 will be an exciting proposition for fans of the first title. A proper sequel may further demonstrate that excellent games can be designed with many inspirations in mind, and there should be more updates on this project later in the year.
Remnant 2 is set to release on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S in 2023.
