In a year brimming with an incredible lineup of epic games to indulge in, one standout for me has been Remnant 2. This soulslike looter shooter with procedurally generated levels has captivated me, and I’ve invested well over 100 hours into it. Now, luck is on our side as a fresh dose of multiversal goodness is on its way with The Awakened King DLC. This expansion promises to deliver a substantial amount of new content, giving us plenty of reasons to gather our friends and dive back into the action. In a recent hands-off demo, I caught a glimpse of mouthwatering items, weapons, enemies, and epic bosses, leaving me eagerly awaiting the opportunity to revisit one of my favorite games of 2023.
The Awakened King breathes new life into one of the standout areas of Remnant 2 known as Losomn. This Bloodbornian Anor Londo-esque world is inhabited by extremely aggressive angelic knights and gritty cockney newsies, complete with coal streaks on their faces and a deep-seated hatred for outsiders. Those familiar with the Fae storyline will recognize Losomn as the world of the departed king, who was betrayed and cast into an eternal slumber by conspirators and usurpers. Now, the king is awake and seething with anger over the unauthorized chaos that has unfolded in his absence. It’s up to you to quell the turmoil.
The added story unveils a unique overworld called The Forlorn Coast, taking you from a seaside shanty town all the way up to the king’s majestic castle, inconveniently situated atop a Dran settlement. During the demo, I witnessed a preacher rallying the commonfolk against the king’s iron-fisted rule, while a blademaster showcased deadly precision as he impaled a trespasser in a Fatality-like boss fight death animation. According to developer Gunfire Games, The Forlorn Coast is slightly larger than other Remnant 2 stories, owing to its popularity among fans. Acknowledging that only one of the main three realms receives an additional option, Gunfire Games expressed their intention to expand the other two realms in future updates, adding even more possibilities to a game that prides itself on replayability.
Interestingly, The Forlorn Coast deviates slightly from the norm of procedural generation found in other stories. Drawing inspiration from the Losomn asylum storyline, which employed fewer random variables for a more cohesive narrative, the developers opted for a similar approach in The Awakened King. This strategic decision seeks to deliver a more impactful story experience, although its impact on the diversity of procedurally generated areas remains to be seen. From what I observed, the focus on storytelling was already apparent, leaving me curious to see how it unfolds.
And of course, what’s Remnant 2 without an array of new weapons to decimate foes and trinkets to enhance your buildcrafting possibilities? The Awakened King tantalizes us with a significant collection of shiny toys to play with. While the developers remained tight-lipped about the exact details and quantity, they did mention that the equipment will be thematically linked to the DLC’s story and offer buffs that align with the king’s bloody quest for vengeance.
The expansion also presents a clever solution for veteran players to enjoy the new content without having to reroll Losomn in hopes of encountering the DLC storyline. Players who have already conquered Losomn will have the option to specifically embark on the third Losomn storyline, tailored to include only the DLC encounters. On subsequent playthroughs or for first-time visitors to Losomn, the original content will be seamlessly mixed with the fresh additions, ensuring Remnant 2’s hallmark of procedurally generated goodness. I greatly appreciate this approach, as it means I won’t have to search for the new content when the king awakens later this month.
