Info about Remnant II® - The Forgotten Kingdom:

Official game description:
Lydusa, an ancient spirit of stone who has long been imprisoned, will do anything to secure her freedom and exact revenge against the mortals who betrayed her.  
The traces of torment, treachery, and death now haunt the land's once proud ziggurats, as Lydusa's living stones wander the crumbling remnants of a forgotten civilization in search of fresh blood.  
Features:  
*   New storyline, dungeons and area based in the world of Yaesha  
*   New Archetype – The Invoker  
*   Many items and powerful weapons that enhance gameplay  
*   New bosses, characters and fearsome creatures to encounter

Release date: Apr 23, 2024

Categories: Action RPG, Soulslike Combat, Third-Person Shooter, Cooperative Multiplayer, Procedural Generation, Looter Shooter, Boss Rush, Meta-Progression

Feature scans:
- Wiki: score 50; verdict: Tier 3: The Student; summary: User feedback is dominated by frustration that Remnant 2's DLC locks items, weapons, and even new Archetypes behind obscure secrets that effectively require an external wiki or walkthrough to discover. No reviews cite drop rates, loot tables, or farming locations for repeatable resource gathering, and none reference inventory management, safe-to-sell decisions, or crafting/blueprint requirements. The primary barrier is learning where content is and how to unlock it, which maps to Tier 3 'The Student'.

- Hardware Profile: No data
Feature extractions:
- Community Price:
  - Community fair range: $20.00 - $30.00
  - Reasoning: The reviews show a community that values the game when players already enjoy the formula, but they consistently resist paying full price and prefer waiting for a sale or bundle. Positive comments focus on the story and overall enjoyment being worth the money, while the strongest price signal is that the game is worth getting only if it is not at full price. Since full price for this type of release is typically higher, the community fair base-game range is estimated below full price but still high enough to reflect that fans consider the game worthwhile when discounted.
- Playtime Metrics:
  - Game completion: 2.0h
  - Story completion: N/A
  - Session length: N/A
  - Endgame: N/A
  - Reasoning: The German review explicitly refers to finishing the second DLC, which is Remnant II - The Forgotten Kingdom, and doing everything possible in under 2 hours. This directly supports a gameCompletion estimate of about 2 hours. The other two quotes reinforce that this DLC was considered short, with the reviewer hoping the final DLC would be longer, so they support a low completion time rather than a long one. No review provides a separate story-only completion time, a typical session length, or a quantified post-completion/endgame duration, so those remain null.
- Time-to-fun:
  - Summary: The reporting players mostly describe the DLC as never becoming fun: early co-op gating, tedious puzzles, repetitive maps, and boredom persist, with no real late-game payoff. One positive report praises environments, enemies, bosses, and solo play, but gives no progression-to-fun signal.
  - Stance: Never clicks
  - Anchor: N/A
  - Time to anchor: N/A
  - Friction: Early co-op-gated puzzle; Searching Discord for a co-op partner; Co-op pressure-plate puzzles unreliable with solo companions or deployables; Repetitive, linear, recycled dungeon maps; Tedious and frustrating puzzles or secrets; Trait regrinding
  - Unlock drivers: N/A
  - Conditions: Playing solo without co-op; Playing co-op with a friend; Encountering co-op-gated puzzles early; Using solo companions or deployables for pressure-plate puzzles; Engaging with optional areas; Expecting meaningful late-game content; Playing through Losomn corridors
- Player Archetypes:
  - Base-Game Formula Loyalist (buy)
    - Motivation: To keep playing more of the same action RPG loop with new bosses, loot, and campaign rerolls.
    - Playstyle: Runs full campaigns and rerolls, seeks new bosses and loot, and plays solo or co-op.
    - Experience: familiar
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: N/A
    - Reference games: Remnant I
  - Value-Conscious DLC Skeptic (deep sale)
    - Motivation: To get sufficient new content for a fair price rather than overpaying for reused assets.
    - Playstyle: Plays through DLC to assess length, asset reuse, and boss quality, then waits for sales or bundles.
    - Experience: familiar
    - Purchase stance: deep sale
    - Labels: N/A
    - Reference games: N/A
  - Item-Hunting Completionist (buy)
    - Motivation: To collect every new item and achievement and reach full completion.
    - Playstyle: Farms world drops with movement-speed builds, grinds RNG spawns, and chases achievements.
    - Experience: veteran
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: item hunting; completionist
    - Reference games: N/A
  - PvE Power-Fantasy Purist (no buy)
    - Motivation: To enjoy powerful build crafting and challenging PvE content on their own terms.
    - Playstyle: Plays solo or with friends, optimizes builds for hard dungeons, and avoids forced co-op.
    - Experience: veteran
    - Purchase stance: no buy
    - Labels: N/A
    - Reference games: N/A


Below are summaries of things people say about the game per category.
Each point is assigned a weight that represents how often it is mentioned across all reviews.
What players like:
- DLC quality highly praised (weight 0.48): Multiple clusters highlight that the DLCs are high quality, well worth their cost, and add a lot of value. Players consistently describe them as fun and enjoyable additions.
- Beautiful new areas (weight 0.26): The new areas and environments are repeatedly called beautiful, gorgeous, and nice. Visual quality of the world is a common positive theme.
- Love for base game (weight 0.15): Players express strong affection for Remnant 2 and its base game. This positive sentiment extends to the DLC.
- Great music and sound (weight 0.12): Music and sound design are praised as atmospheric and on point. This enhances the overall experience according to reviewers.
- DLC surpasses The Awakened King (weight 0.12): Reviewers compare this DLC favorably to 'The Awakened King', finding it more impactful and a richer addition. It is seen as solid and even better than the first.
- New content variety (weight 0.09): The DLC adds new guns, enemies, bosses, and areas. This variety keeps the game fresh and interesting.
- Good story (weight 0.09): The story is considered nice and good. It adds to the overall enjoyment of the DLC.
- New class enables builds (weight 0.09): The new class allows for interesting builds and synergizes with other classes. This adds depth to character customization.
- DLC fulfills its purpose (weight 0.09): The DLC does what it is supposed to by adding more content to both new story and base game areas. It meets expectations for an expansion.
- Stylish new armor (weight 0.08): New armor is described as cool and stylish. Players appreciate the cosmetic additions.

Common complaints:
- DLC length criticized as short (weight 0.32): Players frequently complain that the DLC is too short, often completing it in under two hours. This makes it feel less substantial than the previous DLC and not worth the price.
- Final boss underwhelming (weight 0.15): The final boss is often described as lacking compared to other fights in the game. Some players find it bad or very bad.
- Nerfs to critical skills (weight 0.15): Several skills and items had their critical chance or damage bonuses reduced, such as Hunter's Focus and Hunter's Mark. Players are unhappy with these balance changes.
- Low enemy and boss variety (weight 0.09): The DLC features only a small number of new bosses and enemy types. Some enemies serve as both regular foes and bosses, reducing variety.
- No alternate world boss kill (weight 0.09): The world boss lacks an alternate kill method; instead, there's only an alternate ending dialogue that doesn't involve a fight. This disappoints players expecting a secret boss encounter.
- Frustrating parkour sections (weight 0.09): Parkour and jumping puzzles are heavily criticized due to the game's imprecise jump mechanics. Trap arrows that shoot randomly make these sections even more annoying.
- Items locked behind wiki (weight 0.09): Many items and archetypes are locked behind obscure requirements that necessitate using a wiki. Players dislike the excessive grinding and lack of in-game guidance.
- Damage bonus reductions (weight 0.09): Damage bonuses on items like Whispering Marble and Dried Clay Ring were significantly reduced. This affects build viability and player power.
- Few new items (weight 0.09): The DLC introduces very few new rings and talismans, and those that are added are often niche or situational. This limits build diversity.
- Lack of modding tools (weight 0.08): The game lacks official modding tools and map editors, limiting community creativity and long-term support. This is a common request from players.

Gameplay feedback:
- DLC Introduces New Enemies (weight 0.33): The DLC adds various new enemy types, aberrations, and bosses, expanding the variety of foes players face. This includes new mobs that some players find annoying.
- DLC Adds Boss Battles (weight 0.32): The DLC introduces multiple new bosses, including a world boss and a final boss with unique mechanics, as well as side bosses and a Boss Rush mode. This provides challenging combat encounters for players.
- DLC Adds New Weapons and Equipment (weight 0.29): The DLC introduces new weapons, armor, rings, amulets, and other equipment, allowing players to customize their builds. It includes more items than previous DLCs.
- DLC Features Yaesha Region (weight 0.25): The DLC is set in Yaesha, a returning location from the base game, and adds new content to existing worlds. Players explore this familiar area with new challenges.
- DLC Includes Puzzles and Parkour (weight 0.25): The DLC adds puzzles, trials, and jumping challenges, as well as parkour elements. These provide variety beyond combat.
- DLC Adds Invoker Archetype (weight 0.21): A new playable archetype called the Invoker is introduced, adding a fresh class option for players. Unlocking it requires standing still in a specific spot for five minutes.
- DLC Expands Story and Lore (weight 0.19): The DLC continues the story with new questlines, lore, and additional hours of gameplay. It includes a main story quest and expands the narrative.
- Weapon and Skill Nerfs (weight 0.15): Several weapons and skills have been nerfed, including Nightfall's base damage and Ritualist's Miasma skill. These changes aim to balance gameplay.
- Co-op and Multiplayer Support (weight 0.14): The game supports multiplayer shooting and co-op discovery with friends, allowing players to team up to find secrets. This enhances the social experience.
- DLC Adds New Dungeons (weight 0.09): The DLC includes new dungeons such as the Proving Grounds, offering additional areas to explore and combat encounters. These dungeons are part of the new content.
- Ring and Amulet Nerfs (weight 0.09): Certain rings and amulets have had their bonuses reduced, such as Whispering Marble and Dried Clay Ring. This affects build optimization.
- Nerfs to Existing Builds (weight 0.09): The DLC includes nerfs to existing builds and buffs to non-mainstream items, though some nerfs are barely noticeable. This shifts the meta slightly.
- DLC Has Replayability (weight 0.08): The DLC follows the same formula as the base game and offers replayability, encouraging multiple playthroughs. It maintains the core gameplay loop.
- DLC Content Includes Mods and Gun (weight 0.08): The DLC adds two mods, one gun, and one melee skin-change outfit, expanding customization options. This is a minor addition.
- Final Boss Alternate Ending (weight 0.08): The final boss has an alternate ending that allows players to avoid the fight, providing a different resolution. This adds narrative choice.

Performance notes:
- Poor Optimization Causes Unstable Performance (weight 0.39): Players widely report poor optimization, leading to unstable frame rates and stuttering, particularly in main areas and during combat. Performance drops to 40fps or lower are common even on high-end hardware, making the game difficult to play.
- DLC Performance Is Subpar (weight 0.12): The DLC runs at around 40fps with frequent drops, and optimization has not improved over time. Some players note slight improvements compared to previous DLC releases, but issues persist.
- Performance Demands Are Excessive (weight 0.09): Even with high-end GPUs like the RTX 4070, players struggle to maintain 60fps on medium settings. The base game requires DLSS to be playable on high-end setups, indicating severe optimization issues.
- Some Players Report Acceptable Performance (weight 0.07): A few players find the performance issues manageable and are able to play without major problems. One even praises the optimization as better than most current games.
- Crashes in Losomn Area (weight 0.05): An Unreal Engine error causes crashes specifically in the Losomn area, disrupting gameplay. This is a critical stability issue that affects progression.
- Climbing Speed Is Too Slow (weight 0.05): Climbing animations are so slow that traps can trigger twice before the player finishes climbing. This negatively impacts gameplay pacing and fairness.
- Jump Judgment Is Poor (weight 0.05): The jump mechanic feels unresponsive and imprecise, making platforming sections frustrating. Players report difficulty in judging jumps accurately.

Recommendations:
- Buy on sale or bundle (weight 0.57): A common recommendation is to wait for a sale or purchase the DLC as part of a bundle to get a better price. The full price is often considered too high for the content offered.
- Not recommended for full price (weight 0.42): Several reviewers advise against buying the DLC at full price, citing insufficient content or value. They suggest waiting for a discount or skipping it entirely.
- Worth it if liked base game (weight 0.41): Many reviewers recommend the DLC if you enjoyed the base game and want more of the same content. It is seen as a solid addition for fans.
- Only for specific interests (weight 0.32): The DLC is recommended only if you are interested in the new class, puzzles, platforming, or item hunting. Otherwise, it may not be worth it.
- Fun boss fights and content (weight 0.23): Some reviewers recommend the DLC for its fun boss fights and the amount of content it adds, especially for the price. The new equipment and archetype are also highlights.
- Guide recommended for hidden items (weight 0.22): Many players recommend using a guide to find all items and unlockables, as the DLC has cryptic puzzles and hidden areas that are easy to miss. This can prevent frustration and lockouts.
- Worth the money (weight 0.18): Several reviewers find the DLC worth the money, especially if bought on sale or in a bundle. They give it a thumbs up for the value.
- Mixed or mediocre reception (weight 0.16): Some reviewers find the DLC middle-of-the-road, not bad but not as good as The Awakened King. Others are indifferent or hope for better future DLC.
- Good for fans of Yaesha (weight 0.14): Reviewers note that if you loved the Yaesha area in the base game, you will likely enjoy this DLC. However, those hoping for a new world may be disappointed.
- Ultimate Edition worth it (weight 0.12): For those who haven't bought the game yet, purchasing the Ultimate Edition with all DLCs is often recommended as it is more cost-effective than buying separately.
- Ignore negative reviews (weight 0.1): Some reviewers advise ignoring negative comments and mixed reviews, suggesting that some players have overly high expectations for DLC.
- Wait for patches and fixes (weight 0.07): A few reviewers recommend waiting for the developers to patch bugs and improve the DLC before purchasing. One even uninstalled the game due to developer practices.

Other player notes:
- Yaesha Setting Reused (weight 0.42): The DLC is set in Yaesha, a location that has been featured multiple times in the Remnant series. Some reviewers find this repetitive and less impactful, while others note it fits the lore.
- Less Content Than Awakened King (weight 0.4): Several reviews compare the DLC unfavorably to the previous expansion, The Awakened King, noting it has fewer bosses and less content overall. It is often ranked as the least favorite of the three DLCs.
- Short DLC Length (weight 0.39): Reviews consistently mention that the DLC is short, with completion times around 1.5 to 3 hours. This is often compared to previous DLCs and expected for a $10 expansion from a double-A developer.
- Reasonable Pricing and Value (weight 0.39): Many reviewers consider the $10 price point fair for the amount of content, especially when bundled or on sale. The Ultimate Edition including all DLCs is often recommended for fans.
- Adds New Class and Content (weight 0.27): The DLC introduces a new class (archetype) and additional content such as weapons and mods. This is seen as a positive addition that expands the game's sandbox.
- Comparison to Remnant Series (weight 0.26): Reviews frequently compare the DLC to previous games in the series, noting that earlier titles had more innovative enemies and engaging content. Some feel the DLCs are getting worse.
- Asset Reuse in DLC (weight 0.25): The DLC heavily reuses assets from the base game, including textures, dungeons, and bosses. While some see this as expected for the price, others criticize the lack of originality.
- Mixed Community Reception (weight 0.25): The DLCs have mixed reviews partly due to unclear marketing and expectations of a new world rather than a rehashed one. Some negative reviews are dismissed as 'skill issue' or thoughtless.
- DLC Part of a Trilogy (weight 0.24): The Forgotten Kingdom is the second of three DLCs for Remnant 2, with a third expected. The Ultimate Edition includes all three, and the DLCs are part of a set.
- Developer Support and Updates (weight 0.18): The developer, Gunfire Games, has released regular patches and a major update alongside the DLC. This ongoing support is appreciated, though content updates are followed by inactivity.
- Quality-of-Life and Modding Issues (weight 0.16): Reviewers point out missing quality-of-life features like improved ring menus and the absence of modding tools. The reliance on third-party tools for builds and puzzles is also noted.
- Reuses Bosses and Dungeons (weight 0.14): The DLC reuses bosses from the main game and features copy-and-paste dungeons with new creatures. This reduces the sense of novelty for some players.
- One-Shot Mode Options (weight 0.13): The DLC includes a one-shot option that allows players to experience only the DLC content, though it may not include everything. Story mode is said to offer more complete content.
- Lack of Endgame Content (weight 0.11): The game and its DLCs are criticized for lacking substantial endgame content beyond the initial playthrough. This is a recurring issue that affects long-term engagement.
- New Map Wide and Crowded (weight 0.11): The DLC adds a new map that is described as wide and crowded, with a forest theme. It provides additional areas to explore, though the main area is short.
- Lore Fits Yaesha Story (weight 0.11): The DLC's lore integrates into the broader story of Yaesha and its fractured Pan tribe. This is appreciated by players invested in the game's narrative.
- Localization and Performance (weight 0.07): A few reviews mention incomplete Chinese localization and FPS drops, but these do not significantly impact playability. Performance issues are generally minor.
- Cheap Bundle Availability (weight 0.07): The DLC is available in a cheap bundle on sale, which many consider a good deal. This makes it more accessible to hesitant players.
- No Refunds Possible (weight 0.04): Some players express frustration that refunds are not possible, particularly if they did not enjoy the DLC. This is a minor point but affects purchasing decisions.
- No In-Game Currency (weight 0.04): The game does not have an in-game currency or marketplace, simplifying progression. This is seen as a positive departure from common monetization practices.

Emotions:
- Disappointment (weight 0.25): The DLC is seen as short, lacking new content, and heavily reusing assets from previous areas, especially Yaesha, making it feel like cut content rather than a full expansion. Players also cite underwhelming bosses, poor performance, and a high price for the amount of gameplay offered.
- Frustration (weight 0.2): Frustration stems from severe technical issues such as game-breaking bugs, poor optimization, and hardlocks that prevent completion. Additionally, tedious puzzles, painful platforming sections in a non-platformer game, and obscure unlock methods for new content add to the annoyance.
- Enjoyment (weight 0.08): Players enjoy the new Invoker archetype, fun boss fights, and beautiful environments. The added loot, enemies, and replayability in Yaesha provide a positive experience, especially when played with friends.
- Satisfaction (weight 0.08): Satisfaction comes from the DLC offering solid content for its price, including challenging bosses, new dungeons, and impactful additions. The lore, weapons, and class are well-received, and the content meets expectations for many players.
- Anger (weight 0.04): Anger is directed at poor design choices such as unwanted platforming sections, instant-death traps, and bugged boss mechanics. Players also feel scammed by the developer's approach to hiding items and nerfing builds in a PvE game.
- Annoyance (weight 0.03): Annoyance arises from tedious traps, excessive concealment of class items, and reused assets in new areas. Regular enemies used as bosses and goofy platforming challenges also contribute to the irritation.
- Excitement (weight 0.02): Excitement was initially high for new content, puzzles, and boss fights, but for some it diminished upon realizing the setting was Yaesha again. Those who enjoyed it appreciated the cool bosses and beautiful areas.
- Happiness (weight 0.02): Happiness is driven by the discovery of secret-packed content, fun enemies, and beautiful areas. The new lore and bosses, along with the Yaesha setting, bring joy to players.
- Indifference (weight 0.02): Indifference is characterized by a 'meh' feeling, where the DLC is neither bad nor good enough to elicit strong emotions. Some players find Yaesha uninteresting and feel they are not missing out if they skip the DLC.
- Confusion (weight 0.02): Confusion arises from the disparity between the fun content offered and the harsh criticism the DLC receives. Some also find the reused puzzles odd and out of place.
- Disgust (weight 0.01): Disgust is directed at specific design elements like a barfing puzzle, platforming level design, and traps that seem difficult for the sake of difficulty. These aspects are seen as unpleasant and poorly executed.
- Appreciation (weight 0.01): Appreciation is expressed for the striking visual and audio design of Lydusa and the environments, as well as the thoughtful balancing and game design. The new class is highly praised for its synergy and fun factor.
- Admiration (weight 0.01): Admiration focuses on the beautiful and unique biome, with intriguing stories that captivate players. The visual appeal and narrative depth are standout features.
- Boredom (weight 0.01): Boredom results from a lack of combat encounters and an overemphasis on puzzles and platforming. The DLC adds little replay value, making it feel like a chore for some.
- Liking (weight 0.01): Liking is driven by specific moments such as a brief story involving a soldier, and the phenomenal music and atmosphere. These elements create a positive but not overwhelming impression.
- Dislike (weight 0.01): Dislike stems from a mediocre location and an enemy with too much health, which detracts from the overall experience. The least favorite enemy becomes a point of frustration.
- Regret (weight 0.01): Regret is felt by players who wish they had skipped the DLC due to the traps, which made the experience unpleasant. The traps were a significant source of disappointment.
- Sadness (weight 0.01): Sadness is evoked by the story of Ludysa and Thalos deserving better, and the death of a recruit just when he was about to go home. These narrative moments create emotional resonance.
- Immersion loss (weight 0.01): Immersion loss occurs when players have to open the wiki to find content, which breaks the natural experience and story immersion. The need for external guides disrupts engagement.
- Exasperation (weight 0.01): Exasperation is caused by illogical hidden walls and routes requiring a guide, and a new class item requiring standing in a specific spot for minutes. These obscure mechanics frustrate players.}