Risk of Rain Returns Critic Reviews

The ultimate Risk of Rain experience, featuring quality new content that makes this game extremely entertaining and replayable.

Risk of Rain Returns is an incredible game and a well-rounded package that will have you running it back to an unhealthy degree.

Risk of Rain Returns is a faithful and well-made remake of the original game, retaining the original's fun and challenging gameplay as well as adding new content to keep things fresh. The new characters and alternate skills are particularly welcome additions. Whether you've played the original, started with the sequel, or are getting into this series for the first time, Risk of Rain Returns will provide plenty of enjoyment.

With its enhancements over the original release, Risk of Rain Returns is an excellent game to spend some time with, whether that's on your own or playing with mates. It does make me want to go and play more Risk of Rain 2 though, as I do miss the extra dimension, but that could just be a me problem.

This all manifests into a project that feels like a true gift for fans and a premium prospect for roguelite veterans who may have missed its original launch. Risk of Rain Returns takes an all-timer which might have been overshadowed by its sequel and gives it much, much more than a fresh coat of paint.

Risk of Rain 1 was already a very good roguelike, and this is an improved and expanded version of it, so what’s not to love? Wish Hopoo added the ability to save during a run, though.

Risk of Rain Returns an incredibly playable side-scroller that will absolutely appeal to fans of the genre or the franchise.

Hopoo’s overall passionate reputation, the improved codebase, and eventual seamless updates give me hope. The biggest compliment I can give Returns is that it made the original on par with Risk of Rain 2. It’s just a matter of preference between 2D and 3D combat. While it’s an improved blast from the past for solo play, Returns truly shines for those who want to experience a better 2013 version with up to four friends. It’s a superbly redesigned original with excellent online multiplayer content akin to RoR2.

Risk of Rain Returns might not be quite as free-flowing as its 3D successor, but it's a brilliant recreation of the original title that started it all. It hooks you and keeps you playing, dying, then playing again.

While it would have been expected that the series would continue with another sequel, Hopoo Games’ decision to go with the remastered Risk of Rain Returns is a pleasant surprise that we didn’t know we needed. The visual upgrade, coupled with the smart additions and gameplay tweaks to an already solid roguelike formula, make for an experience that constantly entertains and challenges the player, even with the niggling issues that will take some getting used to. Brilliantly modernized for a new generation of players, who knew death could be so rewarding?

Risk of Rain Returns partly reflects the progress made in the Roguelite genre a decade ago. However, compared to many modern Roguelite games that have kept up with the times, it still shows some clear flaws and areas that need improvement.

Risk of Rain Returns shines thanks to a fantastic roster of classes, sublimely chaotic gameplay, and fever-dream like presentation. When firing on all cylinders, it's rare for a game to make the player feel as powerful as this one does, even if some runs take a little too long to get going.

A satisfying, if conservative, return to the seminal roguelike's 2D roots.