Co-op shooter rogue-like Risk of Rain 2 surprise-launches in Steam early access

Developer Hopoo Games has surprise-launched its co-operative rogue-like shooter sequel Risk of Rain 2 on Steam early access, and it's available for purchase now.

The original Risk of Rain, a gloriously mad side-on action-platformer, launched in 2013 and was enormously well-received. Its nifty trick was that, having slapped players down upon an alien planet and armed them to the teeth, enemies grew rapidly more bountiful (and tough) as time ticked onward. As such, it quickly devolved into a giddyingly frantic, cacophonous dance of rapid levelling and item acquisition in order to survive. Eurogamer liked it to the tune of 8 back in the day.

Risk of Rain 2 follows the same basic format but makes some major changes along the way. Most notably, it ditches the first game's 2D perspective, and rather gloomy minimalist pixel aesthetic, for some vibrantly hued and fully-3D escapades. It's playable either solo or in teams of up to four, and features randomised stages, items, enemies, and bosses.

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