Reus was released in 2016, and I was obsessed with its core mechanics, colourful graphics, and fun and addictive action. Accordingly, when Reus 2 appeared on my desk, I couldn’t wait to get started. This sequel reuses many of the core mechanics from its predecessor, and that is a great thing. The action flows nicely as a consequence, and everything feels familiar, smooth, and oh so captivating.

Abbey Games developed this god-like strategy title. It is a single-player planetary base builder that can run at 60 FPS. Furthermore, it is easy to pick up and play, even though there are plenty of twists and turns. If you love this classic genre, but you want something different, this is the franchise to get your teeth into.

Reus 2 is all about the giants

Giants make the world of Reus 2 go around. These hulking beasts create unique biomes and aid or hinder the people who reside below. Growing plants, dropping rocks, delivering animals, and ruling with an iron fist are some of the powers you control.

In addition to this, there are the humans who wish to dominate the proceedings. Whether it is a calm individual who loves peace and science, a pirate who is hellbent on revenge, or a farmer who loves to grow crops and prosper, every game is different. It is this humble, fun, and challenging action that makes it a moreish and approachable game for gamers of all skills and ages.

Repetitive openings

Though Reus 2 is considered cosy, relaxing, and varied, it is pretty repetitive. Unfortunately, the meta-progression ensures that grind is at the fore. This didn’t bother me as I liked the minor tweaks to the core action. However, other gamers may not be so forgiving. As such, you will need to be pretty patient as you move through the early stages to the more complex and demanding middle to end game.

I enjoyed the opportunity to flit between different planets at a whim. Although this could be confusing, I liked how this overcame many of the early game shortcomings as new scenarios unfolded and different relationships formed.

Thwarting your villagers’ plans is the most enjoyable aspect of this title. As cities evolve and new eras come and go, greed, curiosity, and other negative elements come to the fore. You must choose how to reward and punish your minions with new items and godly challenges. It is fun, unfair, and amusing.

Reus 2 looks great and sounds better

Reus 2 is vibrant and clean with a lovely fantasy edge. The planet shifts and evolves as new biomes are added and the giants move from pillar to post. The beasts romp in the background as commands are barked and people misbehave. Moreover, the animation, frame rates, and attention to detail are pleasant. Although the UI is pretty packed, most of the gameplay is easy to follow. The audio is refined but well-considered. A simple soundtrack supports the action, and loud sound effects dominate every moment. Shrill noises, OTT grunts, and other minor sounds bring the gameplay to life.

My biggest gripe was the learning curve. A tutorial is provided, but I feel that it was cut short. Your training mission ends abruptly, and you are told to experiment as you learn the finer details. This wasn’t an issue for me, but I can see this annoying less experienced players. If you can overlook this, there is loads to see and do. The mid-to-late game is amazing, and overcoming the early repetition is a key move for most gamers.

Reus 2 is an excellent addition to the genre

I loved the original, and I love the sequel. Yet, I can see flaws in the early gameplay loop. This is unfortunate because it will put some people off. If you can work through the grind and tackle some of the mysterious ways, you’ll get a lot out of this godly strategy title. Accordingly, I think it’s worth every penny, and I recommend buying it from the Xbox store!

Overall
  • 80%
    CX Score - 80%
80%

Summary

Pros
  • Fun and rewarding action.
  • Plenty of unique moments.
  • Enough variety to create replay value.
  • It sounds and looks great.
Cons
  • The early gameplay loop is a grind.
  • A more detailed tutorial was needed.
  • Repetition can set in.

By Chase Curnow

Can be found hiding under some stairs playing games on every console. He loves unusual games but adores anything with a Viking influence. He loves a good collaboration and is currently working with XOR on YouTube. @XOR001-XOR

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