Image Source: Gunfire Games via Twinfinite<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nThe dog companion is perfect for solo players because it does several things that a co-op partner would do. Without upgrading the Archetype, the dog will draw enemy focus and revive players if they get knocked down (with a two-minute cooldown, so you can’t cheese it). Advancing the class even unlocks an AoE (area of effect) healing howl that kept me on my feet when I needed a burst of health. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Your Archetype comes with a specific trait that, when leveled enough, can be kept even if you swap Archetypes. Traits are how you upgrade base stats and certain character facets. This can be health, stamina, or even augmenting your movement speed. While some traits can come with leveling up, the rest can be found through similar means of rings and equipment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Every character can equip four rings and one amulet that give all sorts of crazy perks. My favorite ring is one that gives me health regeneration after I have sprinted for 1.5 seconds. While this is rather limiting around enemies, when you’re not in combat, stamina doesn’t drain. This means that even if I was at low health at the end of the last fight, I could run in circles for a minute and get it all back without any health item usage. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
After Archetype selection and getting situated with your loadout, the old man takes you into a nearby bunker. It wasn’t instant recognition, but I quickly realized I was inside the bunker that served as the hub in the previous game. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The old man takes you to the same World Stone that was used in Remnant: From the Ashes to visit nearby planets. He touches it and quickly disappears, and the same thing happens to one of the citizens who followed you both into the bunker. Gathering up all of your resolve, your character similarly touches the World Stone and is teleported to a different, random planet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I am unsure how many starting locations there are, but I can guarantee two. In two separate attempts at the campaign, I was whisked away to the forest world of Yaesha and the sandy, robot-infested N’Erud. Both of these feature completely different environments, enemies, and secrets to discover.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The randomization of Remnant 2 is its biggest strength, and it does it on a much larger scale than the first game. This time it feels like everything is randomized, and the two times I went through Yaesha felt like I was playing just about two different games.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The best part of Remnant is simply the exploration. There’s no better feeling than turning a corner and seeing a purple beam on the ground that is about to give you a new ring\/amulet. While there is a chance for it to be a piece of armor or a weapon, those are almost entirely saved for completing secret objectives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n