Review: Rogue Legacy 2

destructoid.com:

After Dead Cells, Hades, and Spelunky 2, it’s tough to name an all-time favorite roguelite. Rogue Legacy 2, a flashy new castle-storming sequel, only complicates that conversation.

I briefly checked in with Rogue Legacy 2 a few times during its Early Access period — most notably at launch in 2018, then again last year when the sequel surpassed the original game in terms of raw stuff. It’s not just “more content,” though. It’s a fantastic evolution.

I’ve had a blast with this game every step of the way, and that counts for a lot. Other popular roguelites, many of which I adore, can still have dicey moments of despair. But I never felt like any of my lost progress was in vain. As expensive as perma-upgrades eventually get, you’re always earning in Rogue Legacy 2, and the game isn’t afraid to hand out stepping stones to let you focus on your next milestone. There’s always hope.

Rogue Legacy 2 has left the Early Access zone, and I’m happy to say the wait was worth it.

Rogue Legacy 2 (PC [reviewed], Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S) Developer: Cellar Door Games Publisher: Cellar Door Games Released: April 28, 2022 MSRP: $24.99

Circling back around to the first Rogue Legacy for a quick 2022 spot-check, it’s wild how much of an upgrade Rogue Legacy 2 is. The first game cemented the appeal of the roguelite action-platformer genre for a lot of players. People loved it; many still do!

Running through randomized floors as a sometimes lucky, sometimes laughably doomed lineage of heroes was novel back then, and the permanent stat-boosting Manor unlocks accumulated in a satisfying way. You know the oft-spouted saying: “one more run.”

It’s pretty incredible, then, that Rogue Legacy 2 manages to bottle up those fond memories while presenting