The Bittersweet Release of Risk of Rain 2: Seekers of the Storm

The recent release of Risk of Rain 2: Seekers of the Storm has left many fans of the co-op roguelite feeling disappointed and frustrated. The DLC, which launched last Tuesday, has received a plethora of negative reviews on Steam, currently sitting at a mere 79% ‘mostly negative’ rating. The complaints range from bugs to game-breaking issues, making the overall experience less than desirable for players.

One of the major grievances players have with the DLC is the abundance of bugs and glitches that have plagued the game since its release. The DLC is said to be so bug-ridden that it has affected many of the base game’s core systems, leading to frustration and disappointment among the player base. Gearbox, the studio behind the acquisition of Risk Of Rain from Hopoo Games, has acknowledged these issues and has released a blog post addressing the known issues they are working on fixing.

Co-creator Duncan Drummond expressed his thoughts on the situation, acknowledging the growing pains of the new team responsible for the DLC. He emphasized the challenges faced by both the fans and the developers at Gearbox, who are working tirelessly to address the issues and improve the overall experience for players. Drummond reassured fans that Gearbox is committed to fixing the issues and listening to feedback, despite the initial setbacks.

Lead programmer, co-designer, and concept artist Jeffrey Hunt shared his perspective on the situation, recognizing the hard work put in by the team working on the DLC with the time and resources they were given. However, Hunt also mentioned the challenges faced when rushed changes result in setbacks that affect the quality of the work. Despite the difficulties, Hunt remains optimistic about the direction Gearbox is heading in and their commitment to improving the game.

Communication and Transparency

Randolph P. Itchford, another member of the development team, took to social media to assure fans that the team is actively working to correct, communicate, and compensate for the issues with the game. This level of communication and transparency is crucial in maintaining the trust and loyalty of the player base, as they navigate through the challenges presented by the new DLC.

The Future of Risk of Rain 2

Despite the rocky release of Seekers of the Storm, the player base has generally been satisfied with Gearbox’s management of the game thus far. Previous updates, such as the addition of free content like lizards, have been well-received by fans. However, the recent acquisition of Gearbox by Rockstar parent company Take-Two and the subsequent layoffs have raised concerns about the future of the game and the studio as a whole.

The release of Risk of Rain 2: Seekers of the Storm has been a bittersweet experience for both the players and the developers. While the DLC has faced numerous challenges and setbacks, the commitment and dedication of the team at Gearbox to address these issues and improve the game are evident. As the developers continue to work on fixing the bugs and listening to player feedback, the future of Risk of Rain 2 remains uncertain but hopeful.