Unlock the Mysteries of Remnant 2's Epic Procedural Generation!

Highlights

While procedural generation expands gameplay options and increases potential content, it diminishes the opportunity to explore the environment and uncover secrets and shortcuts.

Despite being overshadowed by the immediate gameplay experience, Remnant 2's mechanics are intricately tied to the game's story and overarching narrative. Like its predecessor, the game thrusts players into a post-apocalyptic Earth that has been ravaged by an interdimensional species known as The Root, sentient trees that have destroyed countless worlds throughout the multiverse. This provides the ideal setting for players to utilize the World Stone, jumping from dimension to dimension to locate the missing inhabitants of Ward 13. Beyond serving as a framing device for the game's diverse settings, this narrative concept seamlessly supports Remnant 2's procedural generation.

How Procedural Generation Works in Remnant 2

Procedural generation is a key element in Remnant: From The Ashes, shaping not only the layout of the dungeons but also the bosses encountered by players. This means that no two players are likely to face the same boss in the same dungeon, thanks to the dynamic nature of procedural generation. While the overworld maps in Remnant 2 remain static, the dungeons scattered throughout the landscape are randomized, featuring distinct NPCs and storylines that vary for each player. As the in-game tips suggest, it is the hidden content off the beaten path in Remnant 2 that offers some of the most exciting experiences.

Once players progress through the tutorial section of Remnant 2 and are faced with the task of locating Ford and Clementine by contacting the World Stone, the impact of procedural generation becomes evident. This is particularly noticeable when players create multiple characters on the same account to experiment with different archetypes. Each playthrough can yield contrasting storylines and dungeons, even if they explore the same world. Whether playing alone or in cooperative mode, no two playthroughs are identical. As a result, Remnant 2 embraces its multiverse-focused narrative and offers players countless hours of potential content.

Remnant 2's Procedural Generation Helps Some Aspects While Harming Others

Relying on procedural generation to enhance the replayability of Remnant 2 comes with a trade-off. While it allows for diverse dungeon layouts and enemy encounters in each of the game's numerous worlds, these environments can lose some of their distinctiveness. Soulslike games are typically assessed based on how well they replicate the key aspects of the genre's flagship title, Dark Souls. One essential element of FromSoftware's defining series is the exploration of one's surroundings and the map, which reveals hidden secrets and shortcuts that link previously inaccessible areas to familiar ones, enabling players to become more acquainted with the game world.

While the procedural generation in Remnant 2 brings diversity and distinctiveness to every playthrough, it unfortunately comes at the cost of losing the essential element found in Soulslike maps. The Lands Between in Elden Ring is widely regarded as one of the most exquisitely crafted and intricately detailed maps in gaming history, making it a central character in the game. Remnant 2, on the other hand, compromises a part of its own identity by not providing familiar landmarks and well-explored paths for players to navigate. Nonetheless, Remnant 2 is currently available for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S.