Now playing: Risk of Rain 2
Things get absurd in Risk of Rain 2 pretty fast! It's one of those game where numbers can always go bigger, and at some point the chaos on the screen replaces all discernable meaning. It's a guilty pleasure of mine, a game that will never disappoint me or make me rage quit. And it's an example of a great switch from side-scrolling 2D realities of the first game to the 6 degrees of freedom in the sequel.
The game's pastel, simplified shapes are deceptively relaxing. In a few rounds time they will become consumed by effects and numbers, popping from your weapons and skill, from item effects and enemy modifiers. There is an abundance of variety in what can happen, which items you'd get, and how well they'd synergize among themselves and with your abilities. And there are many stages that can appear next in the run, with their own layouts, mobs, and bosses. And there are mainline and secret side-chains of stages, and hidden stages, and secrets, and challenges to complete.
It's fascinating how well it all works. Both mechanically, and on the technical level too. I remember how me and my friend couldn't complete the first game, because by the last stage things were getting so crazy, his videocard would crash. None of the sort happens in the sequel. And that's a blessing, because item combinations can lead to very silly things.
That does not mean that the game is devoid of skill, however. In fact, it's challenge can be as absurd and unfair as you are to your enemies. Even as you are soaring through maps and destroying everything at ludicrous speed, some enemy attacks may one-shot you. It's been an end of many runs being caught in the middle of all sorts of things going on, and finding that some damage ticks can overwhelm you just like that.
And just as absurd as anything else can be the challenges that the game uses as means for meta progression. Characters come with some attributes and perks, and a set of abilities — spread between main attacks, utility/movement tech, and special. There are no weapons to pick up, only what comes with the hero you choose. Some of these abilities and weapons can be switched to alternatives, which you earn through playing the game. Each challenge that unlocks a sidegrade is somehow related to available skill of the category.
But oh boy, can it be anything from performing some action X number of times to killing the final boss with a vending machine. The latter requires specific preparations to even be able to attempt the challenge. Thankfully, there are artifacts which mostly make things difficult, but sometimes can also bend the stages to work in a surprisingly beneficial way.
When things get going, the game shines visually. And to seal the deal, Risk of Rain 2 turns on its majestic progressive rock soundtrack. Sounds that make you dream of space and become entranced, taking in every stage as a culmination of your run so far. And then it all repeats on the next stage, loop after loop, if you wish so, until there is nothing that can stop you. Except for that one pesky one-shot attack that catches you in the middle.