With new courses, traits, and different additions, Rogue Legacy 2 improves on all the things the unique did nicely whereas slipping in another nice components.
Rogue Legacy was all about succession. Nicely, that and mastering a steadiness of a lumpy bloodlines towards odds worsened by some procedural technology and eased by some persisting unlocks. Rogue Legacy 2 takes that award-winning roguelite method and builds on it by… nicely, including a bunch extra of all the things.
The primary Rogue Legacy was simply one in every of my favorite video games of 2013. That stated, I don’t truly actually bear in mind an excessive amount of about 2013, however I do bear in mind feeding a number of time into the sport, restarting time and again to attempt to discover a approach to optimise my manner by means of the assorted unlock bushes. You see, in Rogue Legacy, your character inevitably dies. and after they do you’ll be able to spend their earnings on ‘constructing’ unlocks, unlocking recipes and various different issues. The ‘constructing’ unlocks are primarily a structured tech tree which might see you massively growing your carry weight, your beginning well being, how a lot cash you keep between runs, and likewise issues like unlocking new courses, which every have their very own playstyle and tie into the following technology of heroes that you just decide from. Rogue Legacy 2 nonetheless has all of this, and, very similar to Rogue Legacy earlier than it, you’ll die so much.
In fact, loss of life is the place this collection comes alive. You get to decide on between three heirs (in Rogue Legacy 2 you’ll be able to decide from extra after gaining a sure unlock) who have already got some character traits. These traits embody their class, their class weapon, and their class skill, in addition to a semi-random spell. They will even have relics (new to the collection) and have persona traits. These traits can vary from Diva (the place you’re in a vivid highlight, enemies are in a smaller one, and roses litter the display screen once you clear the room of enemies) to Endomorph (the place you don’t get nudged when enemies hit you), and fluctuate from optimistic to damaging to only plain peculiar. The damaging ones usually provide you with a gold bonus, which is massively useful as a result of gold is what powers your upgrades as soon as your run has completed.
Now, you may be questioning how a lot can persisting unlocks truly make it easier to in a 2D platforming roguelite. That’s a good factor to surprise. Issues like Histrionic, the place all numbers are massively exaggerated, received’t change issues up an excessive amount of for you, however some traits, particularly mixed with relics and sure courses, can create actual powerhouse heroes. Excessive Jumpers can soar very excessive (no. manner.) and should you mix that with the lancer class, who can jet across the stage nearly indefinitely should you’re intelligent. There’s additionally the gunner whose weapon will droop you even when it’s empty, and the delicate trait which rewards 200% gold however you die in a single hit. You’ll have a brief run, however you’ll be able to raid sufficient chests to attain a number of upgrades after your run. There’s additionally a relic on the market that permits you to simply fly. It’s most likely not one to make use of in sequence with excessive soar, however it means you could get into areas that you just’re merely not meant to have the ability to get to but. And should you’re cautious then you’ll be able to reap the rewards.
For those who performed the primary sport then Rogue Legacy 2 will really feel extremely acquainted. Whereas some courses have modified and there are new traits, a number of the underlying mechanics — which weren’t damaged in any manner — are nonetheless in there. For those who’ve not performed the primary sport, nicely, you most likely don’t have to. Rogue Legacy 2 is likely one of the uncommon circumstances the place the sequel completely crushes the primary underfoot.
I don’t know if there’s a lot else to say. It does suck a bit once you draw a string of unhealthy characters, and a few of the bosses are onerous as nails, however it’s a sport all about persistence. However should you can’t fairly stick with it, as a pleasing shock, there’s a complete bunch of accessibility and customisation choices in there which let you refine the sport to your liking. I do know I’ve slid that in as a footnote, and nearly as a counterpoint, however it’s truly actually spectacular and vital that issues like this make their manner into video games in order that extra folks can take pleasure in and expertise them.
Rogue Legacy 2 is accessible now on the Microsoft Retailer, Epic Video games Retailer, and Steam.
