Remnant II – Buildcraft Shooter With Soulslike Teeth

Remnant II blends tight gunplay with deep builds and brutal bosses. Critical consensus is strong. Rating: 8.5/10.

Game Info

Developer
Gunfire Games
Publisher
Gearbox Publishing
Release Date
July 25, 2023
Genre
Action RPG, Third-Person Shooter
Platforms
PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X

Verdict

8.5 /10

A smart, replayable co-op shooter-RPG with deep builds and boss fights that demand teamwork and patience.

Pros

  • Strong boss roster with memorable mechanics
  • Archetype system creates real playstyle variety
  • Rerolls and secrets reward repeat runs
  • Co-op pacing stays tense and tactical
  • Good gear chase with meaningful upgrades
  • Cross-play support improves grouping

Cons

  • Story presentation is light for a long RPG
  • Difficulty spikes can punish uncoordinated groups
  • Performance can vary in busy fights on weaker hardware
  • Some systems feel opaque without guides

Performance Notes

On PC, 16 GB RAM is the baseline and heavy combat scenes can push midrange GPUs. On PS5 and Xbox Series X, a performance mode targets 60 fps for smoother dodging and boss reads. Switch is not supported.

Remnant II is one of the cleanest “three-player co-op action RPG shooters” on the market, because it does not just copy Soulslike difficulty; it rebuilds the loop around loot, archetypes, and replayable world rolls. Critics praised its boss design, build depth, and cooperative pacing, even when the narrative is more functional than cinematic. In this review, you’ll learn how the archetype system shapes your playstyle, what the real co-op cadence feels like, and what to expect from cross-platform play and DLC support.

How to Play Remnant II

You explore semi-procedural zones, fight punishing enemies, and assemble a loadout that behaves like a build, not just a weapon choice. Progress is equal parts skill and preparation.

  1. Controls – Third-person shooting with dodge timing, stamina management, and quick item usage
  2. Progression – Archetypes level up, gear upgrades matter, and rerolls reshape your available encounters
  3. Combat/Mechanics – Boss patterns, weak points, mod powers, and trait tuning drive outcomes
  4. Tips – Coordinate roles early, someone sustains, someone deletes elites, someone controls space

Who Should Play Remnant II

This fits players who like hard-but-fair fights, theorycrafting, and runs that feel different across playthroughs. If you hate repeated attempts or opaque systems, it can wear you down.

  • Player 1 – Co-op squads who want a campaign that still feels dangerous with friends
  • Player 2 – Build-focused players who enjoy optimizing traits, mods, and rings
  • Player 3 – Action RPG fans who prefer guns and abilities over pure melee
  • Skip if – You want an easy power fantasy or a story-first cinematic shooter

Remnant II Platform Performance

The game’s baseline expectations are higher than many shooters, especially on PC where 16 GB RAM is part of the minimum spec. Consoles offer a performance option focused on smoother combat feel.

Platform Resolution FPS Notes
PC (High) 4K 60+ Hardware-dependent, built around scalable settings, but heavier scenes can still tax systems
PS5 Dynamic 4K / 1440p 60 (Performance) Performance mode targets smoother play for dodging and boss fights
Xbox Series X Dynamic 4K / 1440p 60 (Performance) Similar performance focus as PS5, stability varies by encounter density
Switch N/A N/A Not released on Nintendo Switch

Remnant II System Requirements

The official PC targets are clear: 16 GB RAM minimum, and midrange GPUs for a playable baseline. If you want consistent smoothness, treat the recommended GPU as your real floor and plan around it.

Component Minimum Recommended
OS Windows 10 Windows 10
CPU Intel Core i5-7600 / AMD Ryzen 5 2600 Intel i5-10600k / AMD R5 3600
GPU GeForce GTX 1650 / AMD Radeon RX 590 GeForce RTX 2060 / AMD Radeon RX 5700
RAM 16 GB 16 GB
Storage 80 GB SSD Recommended

Remnant II Editions and Value

The value proposition is replayability. You are not just buying a single clear. You are buying rerolls, secrets, alternate boss outcomes, and loadouts that change your whole rhythm. If you only want a one-and-done campaign, it will feel expensive.

Edition Typical Price Includes Who it fits
Standard $49.99 Full game Most players, especially if you reroll worlds
Deluxe $59.99 Game plus extra items (store-dependent) Players who like early build options
Ultimate $69.99 Game plus DLC bundle (store-dependent) Long-term players planning to buy expansions

Similar Games to Remnant II

If you like the “hard fights plus builds plus co-op” triangle, look at games that reward preparation and teamwork. The closest feel comes from action RPG shooters that respect boss mechanics and don’t trivialize difficulty.

  • Returnal – Faster movement and roguelike structure, but less co-op-first campaign design
  • Helldivers 2 – Strong co-op chaos and teamwork, but less buildcraft depth and less boss-focused pacing
  • Destiny 2 – Huge content ecosystem, but a very different progression economy and raid structure
  • Outriders – Build-forward looter shooting, but less emphasis on deliberate boss pattern learning

Remnant II vs Competitors

Remnant II competes less on “content volume” and more on “encounter quality plus build expression.” The game’s big advantage is that co-op does not delete tension. The trade-off is that onboarding is rougher than a mainstream shooter.

Feature Remnant II Helldivers 2 Returnal
Price $49.99 $39.99 $69.99
Playtime ~20–35+ hours Open-ended ~20–40 hours
Multiplayer Yes Yes Yes (co-op supported)
Metacritic 80 82 86

Remnant II Story and World

The story is a framework for the real star: world flavor. Each realm leans into a distinct mood, with readable silhouettes, strange architecture, and enemies that telegraph danger in ways you learn to respect. The multiverse setup gives the designers permission to jump tones without feeling random, so one run can feel gothic and oppressive while another turns alien and clinical. Do not expect long cutscenes. Expect environmental storytelling and “what is that thing” moments.

Remnant II Multiplayer and Online

Co-op is where the game clicks. Three players is the sweet spot, because it encourages role definition without turning the screen into pure noise. The best sessions feel like planning, panicking, adapting, then winning by inches.

  • Campaign Co-op – Up to 3 players, full progression loop with bosses and world exploration
  • Drop-in Sessions – Join runs midstream, then decide whether to stay for a full world clear
  • Public Matchmaking – Works best when builds are complementary, not identical
  • Cross-Play – Supported across PC, PS5, and Xbox Series after a 2024 update

Remnant II DLC and Expansions

The expansions matter because they add new areas, bosses, and build toys. If you love the base loop, DLC is not optional flavor, it is more runway for experimentation.

  • The Awakened King – New story content and gear additions, typically around $9.99
  • The Forgotten Kingdom – Additional content pack with new encounters, typically around $9.99
  • Season Pass – DLC bundle option, pricing varies by storefront and sales
  • Free Updates – Balance passes and feature additions, including cross-play rollout

Remnant II Community and Support

This community is unusually practical. You will see build spreadsheets, ring interactions, boss strategy breakdowns, and reroll routing advice. Support is active, but you still need to read patch notes if you care about balance shifts.

  • Official Forums – Official site news posts and support channels
  • Reddit/Discord – Build sharing, co-op LFG, and patch interpretation
  • Mod Support – Limited, not a Steam Workshop-style mod ecosystem
  • Updates – Regular patches, event drops, and DLC cadence across 2023–2024