Remnant II vs Remnant: From the Ashes

Marius
6 min readDec 17, 2023

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Remnant 2 (Remnant II) can easily surpass its predecessor, Remnant: From the Ashes (Remnant 1), without making its predecessor in any way obsolete — after all is quite a new game, released in the Summer of 2019 — and depending on each player persona taste, there may be some that prefer Remnant 1 to the new Gunfire Games’ release. Both games feature their own distinct strengths (and weaknesses) to cater to diverse playstyles, yet Remnant 2 has an advantage being the new game as it builds upon what was established by its forerunner and creates an even deeper and more immersive gaming experience that stands on the shoulders of what was achieved in Remnant 1.

Remnant 2 gameplay — an impressive fight scene in a gorgeous looking environment.

We like Remnant 2 for:

  • Its Archetype System
  • Improved Combat
  • Expanded Word and Lore
  • Cooperative Gameplay

We like Remnant 1 for:

  • Its Atmosphere
  • Varied Boss Encounters
  • Open-ended Progression
Remnant II — Handler customization.

Archetype System for Increased Character Progression in Remnant II

One notable enhancement in Remnant 2 is the Archetype System, an upsurge that is nothing short of revolutionizing character progression. Players of Remnant II can customize their characters further into distinct archetypes with distinct playstyles and added benefits associated with them for enhanced customization, as well as depth and flexibility to the overall gaming experience. This innovation not only adds depth and diversity, features that were not missing from Remnant 1 either, but also increases player choice when customizing characters!

Remnant II offers a revamped combat experience.

Revamped Combat Experience in Remnant II to Provide More Satisfying Gaming Sessions

Remnant 2 delivers significant upgrades to combat dynamics when compared with Remnant: From the Ashes (Remnant 1). Weapons now deliver greater tangible impacts that also come with better visuals, giving this way to all players, especially those who buy PS5 shooter games, an enhanced feeling of satisfaction. On the same note, enemy encounters now present greater dynamics and increased difficulty, with bosses becoming particularly challenging adversaries no matter the players’ experience.

Explore an Extensive World and Deep Lore

Remnant 2 sees its environments undergo a drastic transformation, becoming even more varied and visually appealing than before, due in considerable measure to the hardware upgrades — PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S — recently happened in the console video gaming industry. Not only has the aesthetic improved dramatically, a thing that we were expecting anyway with next/current-gen consoles; moreover, the narrative elements explore deeper into the mythology and lore of its game world for an engaging storytelling experience. And “yes,” this links Remnant 2 to Remnant: From the Ashes…so we have to give credit to the first game of the series, too.

Remnant 2 — the level of details improved dramatically.

Refined Cooperative Play

Remnant 2 expands on its cooperative play aspect by offering smoother transitions and increased teamwork options but fundamentally it is similar to Remnant: From the Ashes. Both games have co-op gameplay and it is restricted to a small group: you can play with two other players in your team, so 3-player co-op gameplay. If you buy Remnant II, you should also know that shared loot drops enhance this aspect of collaborative gaming and feel satisfying (as much as a difficult game can be). Remnant 2 creates an atmosphere of teamwork among those participating that is better but not dissimilar to the previous game. On the negative side, there is no crossplay, so no matter if you’re playing Remnant 1 or 2, you can join your friends only on the same platform. If for the Remnant: From the Ashes we might not had crossplay expectations, at the end of 2023 to be missing from Remnant 2 is rather an important issue.

Remnant 2 — excellent combat dynamics.

Is Remnant 2 Worth It?

Personal preferences often play a decisive role in one’s opinion of Remnant 2, however, the sequel often outshines its predecessor in terms of character progression, combat dynamics, world design, and cooperative gameplay features. Between the two (Remnant 1 and 2), Remnant II has a slight edge over Remnant: From the Ashes.

Remnant 2 and Remnant 1 Balance Strengths to Prove Lasting Value

Remnant 2 may outshine its predecessor in numerous aspects but not in a decisive way…in some matters, not even by much. Remnant II is good, yet Remnant: From the Ashes (Remnant 1) is undeniably there, at the same level, at present, still an exceptional game and deserves consideration as a worthy alternative to Remnant 1. Don’t shy away, if you have the chance to buy Remnant: From the Ashes (as it may be cheaper), do it without second thoughts as it is worth it as much as Remnant II. Remnant 1 was published in 2019, whereas Remnant 2 came out in 2023, so the distance between the two is not that big; however, we must remember that PlayStation 5 came to market in 2020, so even if in years the distance is small, we’re still talking about games developed for different generations of consoles.

Remnant: From the Ashes — not dissimilar to visuals of Remnant II.

Immersive Atmosphere in Remnant 1

Remnant: From the Ashes stands out for its compelling and immersive atmosphere, expertly merging gothic horror and Lovecraftian elements into its worldbuilding to deliver an extraordinary gaming experience for players seeking something different. Because of this, Remnant 1 is quite recommended: this atmospheric approach adds up to create something truly exceptional that speaks directly to its core target demographic, in this case, players looking for a unique ambiance.

Remnant 1 Bosses Require Different Strategies of Approach

Remnant 1 stands out in terms of gameplay as well, with boss encounters that are difficult and memorable. Remnant: From the Ashes is offering something slightly different to Remnant 2: not better, just different. While Remnant 2 features more complex bosses and more engaging fights, Remnant 1 contrasts this by providing more varied enemy types and encounter scenarios, this is why, in general, Remnant: From the Ashes is considered to create unpredictability during gameplay.

Key differences between the two games’ boss encounters (Remnant 2 vs Remnant 1)

Remnant 1 Has Unique Strengths that Need to be Explored Further

Remnant 1 cannot be overlooked as it stands out with its open-ended progression system and freeform campaign system, giving players more room to explore than Remnant II and creating greater replayability than its successor. This approach to progression makes the luck of Remnant: From the Ashes cater specifically to players who prefer less linear, exploratory gaming experiences.

Remnant: From the Ashes has its own strong points.

Verdict: Which Remnant to Play?

The choice between Remnant 1 and Remnant 2 Remnant 1 and Remnant 2 should ultimately come down to individual preference: for players looking for refined combat systems, archetype-based progression, and focused narrative experiences, Remnant 2 stands out. On the other hand, those interested in atmospheric worldbuilding, boss encounter variety, and open-ended progression still find Remnant 1 appealing. From a different perspective, if you buy cheap PS5 games, you will be inclined to get Remnant: From the Ashes as it is better priced (and older).

I apologize for the anticlimactic finish of my article, but in all honesty, both games possess their own individual benefits, with Remnant 1 and Remnant 2 tailored toward specific gaming elements that appeal to different individuals. Both are deserving, and both offer their own distinctive experience — choosing one over another boils down to personal taste and preference. If the price is of concern and you have none, get Remnant: From the Ashes; if the price is of less concern, purchase them both as they are solid survival shooter games with character.

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