How is Replayability?

[RarestRex]

I've heard great things of this title. However, I'm concerned with the three C's

Content:

I've been told the game is a hybrid of Borderlands and common rogue-like games. Apparently the main features include an intense artifact system, random gun stat generation, ability tree system and the most important of all: RANDOMLY GENERATED LEVELS AND ENEMIES!

How does this really translate? Will I start to see the same enemies over and over at some point? (Obvious answer, yes? How is boredom forbid by this type of generation though)?


Creativity:

I've heard the game's artwork is relatively cute. Particle systems are on point, tons of explosives, bullet storms and all. Will I get tired of looking at this game in two minutes? Or does the game's art offer some eye candy?

Charm:

What does this title have that no other does? I feel like this is apart of the charm of a game. How will this game keep me engaged? I really don't want to spend 12 bucks and be disappointed that I waste my money on a game that is just like other boring rogue-likes like *cough* *cough* Risk of Really Garbage and----.. *Risk of Rain 2*

Honest answers are appreciated! I really enjoy games with random generation. RNG is a fun aspect. I just wonder if this game does it right!

[Unity]

I have put in over 400 hours in the game and I can honestly say it's worth every penny. The game is worth double what they charge. It is a most unique game, one that is very polished and smooth. The gun play alone sells this game. Then you add in rogue elements and random item modifiers, scrolls, ascensions, and multiple playable characters, and you have a beauty of a game. Multiplayer is actually a ton of fun, and i've run into some of the nicest folks in my time.

Please give this game a try if you enjoy FPS meets RogueLite. Let me know if you have issues or need tips :)

[Mootesalad]

Content:

I personally think that it's more like a regular roguelike than Borderlands. There's a random weapon pool and character skills, but that's pretty standard for roguelike games. The "intense artifact system" is probably referring to the scrolls system, which is probably the deepest part of this game. Each one has unique effects, with lower rarity ones generally having only small positives and higher rarity ones having large upsides and downsides. The ability tree is mostly shared between all characters, but each one has 5 unique ones that are only accessible by playing as them. Guns can roll random traits called inscriptions, which give them random bonuses. Think of it as something like the parts system in Borderlands, but the effects are way more noticeable. Each character can roll "ascensions" mid-run, which are large boosts that dramatically change how they play. Each character has 18 unique ones, most of which are tiered.

As for levels and enemies, each stage is a large map that pretty much always stays the same, but has a randomly generated route through it every time. There isn't much random enemy placement, and the I found myself memorising the levels as I played more. The real strength of the enemy generation is on the higher difficulty levels, where they can also roll random buffs. This can completely change how the game plays, and I found it to be the most fulfilling way to play. However, even though the enemies stay the same, the ways you fight them won't. This is decided by your weapons and scrolls, as well as which character you're playing.

Creativity:

This game has a really nice combination of low-poly models and smooth, atmospheric lighting. The particles do look really good, and are rarely intrusive. Enemies have enough detail to not look boring, and match the game's style. First level does look a bit plain, but the other two have simplistic designs that perfectly compliment the particle effects.

The weapon designs are pretty great. They make use of a lot of jagged edges, which matches the overall art style. To make them look nicer, they have a lot of finer details that make them not boring to look at. Some also have parts that light up, which is neat. Overall, they have very creative designs and add massively to the game's personality.

Charm:

I feel that the charm of this game is how much it manages to do with so little. There's so much variety to be had in the rather small weapon pool compared to other roguelikes/roguelites, and the scroll and ascension systems ensure that you'll get a usable run most of the time. In addition, it does this in a way that isn't overbearing at all. It eases you into unlocking weapons and scrolls across runs, which means that as you play more, you constantly discover new playstyles and strategies. The game does have some steep learning curves to compensate for the small amount of levels (3, each divided into 3/4 stages + a boss), so be ready for that.

Keep in mind that this game is in EA, and all the stuff I said is subject to change. Overall I recommend though.

[Snarf]

Very well said Mootesalad.

I'll just add that, as a huge roguelike fan (hell, I played Rogue/Hack/Nethack back in the day, if that tells you anything) I was really excited to play Risk of Rain 2, but I found the experience pretty hollow. I could tell there was a lot of genius behind that game, but in my admittedly brief experience with it, it just didn't tickle my itch.

This game, on the other hand, I have been playing for months. I bought it for 3 friends, and they're hooked too, we often play 4-player. It's a fun cooperative game with enough room for skill that it remains enjoyable. There is a lot of hidden complexity in the way that the random upgrades (ascensions and scrolls and weapons) interact, but it's not the frustrating sort of complexity that requires you to do a lot of research to be a successful player. In short, even a casual gamer can enjoy the game, but there's enough depth to keep experienced players coming back for more.

I think they do the roguelike part *right* because that randomness gives you the opportunity to explore a new build each run, based upon the options presented. Granted there are a few ascensions which are just plan better (or close to mandatory like Regen Hit on the bird) but even choices you would normally scoff at can surprise you when you take them to level 3. And next game you'll start with a clean slate, ready to see how that game unfolds. (Many people have complained about that randomness, because they cannot build their personal favorite murder machine in every run, but frankly that's the heart of a roguelike game, and it's what keeps each new run entertaining for me.)

Plus it's still in early access, and they're working on more characters and levels and weapons and scrolls and who knows else what. Playing along with a game as it's being developed is painful for some games, but here it's been a fun ride. (It helps that you don't make any permanent decisions about your character that might get the nerf bat; you just work your way up a talent tree that eventually you'll completely fill.)

Plus the characters, and several of the bad guys, are just cute. I must admit that design element adds a lot to my personal enjoyment :)

[tantrumizer]

I can't really add much to the great responses above, other than to say I agree with them and I reckon you will like the game a lot. I find it very replayable and I suspect they will add more levels and at least one character before exiting EA.

As I mentioned on another online destination recently, I bought Risk of Rain 2 and Gunfire Reborn about the same time and my hours played are 2 and around 108 respectively.

And oh yeah, it's massively underpriced in my opinion!