Unleashing the True Potential: Unlocking Remnant 2's Elite Class for Ultimate Gameplay
Restricting access to Remnant 2's top class archetype behind a paywall may disappoint players, despite the availability of other classes Early adopters gain an advantage with exclusive access to the Gunslinger, a familiar trend in the game's Early Access bonus
Early access for Remnant 2, the highly anticipated sequel to Gunfire Games' Remnant: From the Ashes, begins on July 21, leading up to the official launch on July 25. Considered one of the biggest co-op releases in the second half of 2023, Remnant 2 garnered a cult following with its unique twist on the Soulsborne formula, often described by fans as "Dark Souls with guns".
While Remnant: From the Ashes received praise from both fans and critics, it faced criticism for its classes, which performed similarly. However, in Remnant 2, Gunfire Games has addressed this issue by introducing five class archetypes that offer different playstyles. It is important to note that The Gunslinger, one of the game's best classes, is available only to players who purchase the Deluxe or Ultimate editions of Remnant 2 at the beginning of the game.
Remnant 2's Early Access Bonus Is Nothing New, But Early Classes Are
A growing trend in the world of online gaming is the offer of early access to players who purchase the Deluxe or Ultimate Editions of live-service titles. This means that these players can start playing the game several days before its official release. Diablo 4 is a recent example of this, as those who chose the premium options were able to play the game on June 1, a full five days before the official release date of June 6. What is less common, and can be confusing for developers to implement, is the added benefit of immediate access to a special class for those who are willing to pay for the premium edition of the game.
Live-service games have received some criticism from fans, as they often incorporate "pay-to-win" practices or include excessive microtransactions. While the original Remnant: From the Ashes game was well-received by fans, the sequel, published by Gearbox, has raised questions regarding the decision to make The Gunslinger class a premium reward that can only be unlocked by early adopters. It is unclear whether the developers were aware of the class's superiority in the game and intentionally made it a premium reward, but this practice would likely face significant backlash if it were a more high-profile game like Diablo 4.
All Players Have Access to The Gunslinger, But Remnant 2 Early Adopters Have the Advantage
Despite the praise the first Remnant received from players, many also complained about the lack of variety in class archetypes. This difficulty in distinguishing classes was further exacerbated by the unlockable hybrid classes. In response to fan feedback, Gunfire Games has taken significant strides in Remnant 2 to implement five distinct class archetypes. Out of these, The Gunslinger is already garnering attention as a standout archetype. Early impressions and reviews of Remnant 2 are already singling out The Gunslinger as one of the game's best class archetypes. Additionally, while all players unlock The Gunslinger eventually, regardless of their edition, those willing to pay extra will have access to the class right from the beginning, without having to rely on in-game progress.
It is unfortunate that players who favor The Gunslinger's playstyle and choose to purchase premium editions of Remnant 2 may have an unfair advantage over other players. The concept of "pay-to-win" is not a new phenomenon and is expected to persist in the popular live-service gaming industry. However, this issue casts a shadow over the otherwise highly anticipated launch of Remnant 2 on July 25, available for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S.
