Risk of Rain 2

Game images by RAWG

Risk of Rain 2

Hopoo Games

Windows, macOS, Linux; PlayStation; Xbox; Nintendo Switchpremium (one-time purchase) + optional DLC expansion

Health Score

DECENT

Official Website Watch Gameplay

About This Game

Super Review

Risk of Rain 2 is a fast-paced cooperative shooter where players battle endless waves of aliens, stacking items for wild abilities. Its intense difficulty and constant time pressure can be absorbing, making it a qualified fit best for experienced gamers who thrive on challenging teamwork.

Super Review

Parent verdict

Risk of Rain 2 earns a Decent health score primarily due to its intense action, high difficulty, and potential for absorbing gameplay. While it offers excellent cooperative play that fosters communication and strategic thinking, the relentless challenge and visual chaos make it best suited for experienced action gamers, particularly teens, who enjoy high-pressure scenarios. Parents should consider setting clear limits on session length due to the game's engaging and often overwhelming nature.

What players actually do

Players shoot hordes of alien enemies, utilizing different character abilities and items to survive, exercising aiming and tactical evasion skills.
Players collect random power-up items during a run, combining them to create unique and often chaotic character builds, encouraging strategic thinking and experimentation.
Players work together with up to three teammates to navigate procedurally generated levels and defeat bosses, fostering communication and cooperative problem-solving under pressure.

Where it shines

The game's rewarding cooperative play encourages active communication and strategic coordination, as players must synergize their abilities and item choices to survive.
A deep and varied item system allows for immense player creativity in character builds, ensuring each playthrough feels fresh and encouraging experimentation with different playstyles.
Short, self-contained runs make it easy for players to jump in and out, offering satisfying progression even within shorter play sessions, provided they can handle the escalating difficulty.

Parent watch-outs

Constant time pressure and rapidly increasing difficulty can lead to intense, visually overwhelming gameplay and potential frustration, especially for less experienced players.
The fast-paced action and rewarding progression loop can be highly absorbing, potentially making it difficult for players to disengage and leading to longer play sessions than planned.
Players interact with others online, which carries standard risks associated with unmoderated communication, although direct interaction within gameplay is focused on cooperation.

Family rules worth setting

Set a time limit for each play session, such as 30-60 minutes, and discuss how to take breaks before starting a new run to manage the absorbing nature of the game.
Encourage playing in private groups with known friends or family members to mitigate the risks associated with interacting with strangers online.
Agree on a 'stop code' or signal that players can use if the game becomes too overwhelming or frustrating due to its high difficulty and frantic pace.

Talk about this

How do you decide when it's time to stop playing, even when a game is really exciting or challenging?
What strategies do you use to communicate effectively with your teammates when the action gets intense, and how does that help you succeed?
How do the different items change your strategy during a run, and what makes a good combination of items?

Play style

This is a challenging roguelike that throws players into increasingly difficult waves of enemies, with difficulty scaling over time. Sessions are structured as individual 'runs' that can last anywhere from 20 minutes to over an hour, often ending in player defeat. It's best played cooperatively with friends, as communication is key to survival. The high difficulty means players may need help understanding item synergies or advanced strategies.

Score Breakdown

Positive Aspects

Educational Value

1/5

Creativity

2/5

Pro-Social

3/5

Risk Factors

Addictive Monetization

1/5

Time Pressure / FOMO

4/5

Social Risk

2/5

Content Intensity

3/5

Why this rating

Educational Value

1/5

Risk of Rain 2 offers minimal direct educational value, as its primary focus is on fast-paced action and combat. While players engage in strategic item selection and cooperative communication, these elements are not designed for academic learning. The game's core loop does not inherently promote skills transferable to an educational context.

Addictive Monetization

1/5

The game's monetization model is straightforward and not considered addictive, being a one-time premium purchase with optional, clearly labeled DLC expansions. There are no loot boxes, gacha mechanics, or other manipulative spending incentives present within the game. Players know exactly what they are purchasing.

Time Pressure / FOMO

4/5

Risk of Rain 2 features significant time pressure as the game's difficulty continuously scales upward the longer a run progresses, pushing players to make quick decisions and constantly advance. This creates a relentless sense of urgency and can lead to frustration or a feeling of needing to play 'just one more run' to overcome the challenge. The escalating difficulty creates a strong internal push to continue playing, contributing to the high score.

Pro-Social

3/5

The game strongly encourages cooperative play, requiring players to communicate and strategize effectively to survive the escalating challenges. This focus on teamwork can foster positive social interaction and problem-solving skills among friends. While not every aspect is pro-social, the core cooperative loop is a significant benefit.

Content Intensity

3/5

Risk of Rain 2 includes frequent fantasy violence against alien creatures, depicted with blood effects and explosions, aligning with its T for Teen rating. The action can be visually frantic and intense, but it remains within the bounds of typical sci-fi combat rather than graphic or realistic depictions. The constant pressure and visual chaos contribute to its intensity.