Risk of Rain 2: Survivors of the Void expands the roguelike third-person shooter with fresh challenges and mechanics centered around a corrupting void force invading the planet Petrichor V.
Gameplay
In this expansion, players navigate procedurally generated stages, battling escalating enemy waves while scavenging for items that enhance abilities and stats. The core loop involves surviving timed stages, activating teleporters to summon bosses, and progressing to new areas. New survivors like the Railgunner offer sniper-style combat with a first-person scope for precise, high-damage shots, emphasizing positioning and weak spot targeting. The Void Fiend, unlocked through gameplay, harnesses corruption to temporarily boost attacks, shifting from standard abilities to powerful void-infused versions.
Void items introduce a twist by permanently altering standard items, often reversing their effects or introducing new behaviors, such as a ukulele that zaps single targets instead of groups. New stages like Aphelian Sanctuary and Siphoned Forest bring environmental variety, with features like waterfalls and icy surfaces affecting movement. Combat remains fast-paced, with players dodging attacks from new void creatures and constructs designed to capture survivors.
Game Modes
The game supports solo play or cooperative multiplayer for up to four players, where runs focus on survival and progression through increasingly difficult stages. Only one player needs to own the expansion for the group to access new monsters, levels, and items, though others cannot select the new survivors without it.
Runs are structured around difficulty levels that ramp up over time, encouraging strategic item collection and boss defeats to reach the void realm. Multiplayer allows shared progress, with corrupted items and new equipment adding layers to team strategies.
New Content and Mechanics
This DLC adds 14 void items, five pieces of equipment, four lunar items, and 18 standard items, expanding build possibilities. New enemies, including the gelatinous Gup and void constructs, demand adapted tactics, such as avoiding cliff bounces or countering hulking attacks.
Mechanics like the Railgunner's concussion device for quick repositioning and the Void Fiend's corruption meter introduce risk-reward elements, where timing power surges can turn fights in your favor.
Is It Worth Playing?
For those who enjoy roguelike shooters with deep customization, this expansion adds substantial value through its new survivors, items, and stages, enhancing replayability. Player reviews highlight the content as a strong addition, with the base game holding a 95% positive rating from over 159,000 users. It suits fans seeking more variety in co-op or solo runs, especially with ongoing community interest keeping the game active years after release.
