The Awakened King is the first of a planned trilogy of major expansions for Remnant 2, the acclaimed Souls-like that only didn’t take the gaming world by storm because the first chapter was already a superb one. Gunfire Games has big plans for this sequel, and so has unleashed another monstrosity that menaces the world of Losomn, a fan-favorite that is now more sprawling and condemned than before. There’s also a new archetype, the Ritualist, focused on status effects and AOE skills.

A King to Doom Us All

The Awakened King makes some significant changes to Remnant 2 as we know it. The procedurally generated nature of the main world is toned down with the goal of offering a more focused and narratively exciting adventure, with identifiable places and a sense of learning your whereabouts that remains after each run. You can share your ideas with friends and discuss certain passages, and it will all be relatable in a way that randomized zones are never allowed to. On the other hand, the dungeons adopt the traditional approach, feeling new for every run, with true networks of stairs and pathways that seemingly connect in important parts, where you have no way of memorizing your trajectory from one run to the next.

This choice highlights the best of Remnant 2’s design, an interwoven landscape where rules be damned, and exploration is rewarding, but now we have a set path to take when trying to reach the looming castle of The One True King, which just appeared in the horizon of Losomn. One of the most appreciated worlds in the game, comparisons to Bloodborne are rampant, and it isn’t the take in The Awakened King DLC that is bound to change that – even the Ritualist archetype fits like a glove into this desperate, plague-ridden coastal town.

The One True King is corrupted by the Root and seeks revenge on every being, his magnificent castle having materialized out of thin air. The angry tides and aggressive denizens stand in your path, a journey of great sights but also of significant asset reuse, mostly forgiven when the tight grip of this new journey – which you can stumble upon during your campaign or explore from adventure mode – starts to show, with a flow that feels consistent and enjoyable.

Reaching the castle is your goal, but the road is long and hard, with many surprises and detours along the way. A clinical eye is required for some events, as the paths seem to falter, but there’s some ladder or other that will take you one step closer to the objective. Along the way, there will be elite creatures and bosses, something of a warming up to the final showdown – you do get a choice, but we’re not going to spoil it for you.

With a few side missions and puzzles along the way, The Awakened King follows the template set by Remnant 2. There aren’t many surprises, but you’re going to explore some damned places, and the closer you get to the castle, the more you sense this impending feeling of doom, contrasting with its pristine clear architecture and spacious hallways. Staring at the town from the bridge is quite a sight, and it is impressive to realize that you have been through those streets down there, such is the scope of the area.

Finishing this adventure took around six hours, with a lot of exploration on the side, but also certain that more remains to be found. One of those things is the Ritualist, the new archetype that requires a certain item to craft the Engram (the Ragged Poppet), which we haven’t stumble upon yet, so it’s impossible to make a proper judgment on the overall feeling for this new class.

A Burning Good Time

Visually stunning and featuring a more static approach to the main world that reinforces the anarchic layouts of Remnant 2, The Awakened King is a must for players who want to see the Losomn region expanded both in lore and looks, although the idea of a new biome might seem more appealing to some. The low price is inviting and absolutely worth it for the handful of hours that players will get to enjoy, building on a great game that has just started its ambitious content expansion.

Score: 8/10

Pros:

• Losomn is back and in great shape
• The static approach for the main world is a solid choice
• New Ritualist archetype – but needs unlocking first
• Nicely paced and exciting during its 5-6 hours of playtime

Cons:

• A new biome could potentially be more exciting. Next time, perhaps?

Remnant 2: The Awakened King DLC review code was provided by the publisher. You can read MP1st’s review and scoring policy right here.