Over the past decade, the Soulslike genre has surged in popularity, with developers eager to recapture the magic of FromSoftware's successes. We've seen some stunning titles, but few have managed to break away from the mold established by Demon's Souls and Dark Souls. Lies of P, Nioh, and the recent Valor Mortis have proven that it's entirely possible to draw inspiration while creating a unique gaming experience. But for me, one Soulslike stands out above the rest. Unfortunately, three years have passed, and we're still waiting for the final chapter of its trilogy. This game adopted a radically different approach, replacing intense melee combat with exhilarating Soulslike shooting mechanics.
Remnant: From the Ashes was released in 2019, but it was its sequel, Remnant 2, that truly cemented the series as my favorite Soulslike franchise. Both games blend hardcore third-person shooting with Soulslike mechanics, but the sequel expanded upon nearly every aspect. These two titles made significant contributions to the Soulslike genre and deserve more recognition for successfully integrating co-op gameplay, high-difficulty challenges, and exploration. Unfortunately, neither Gunfire Games nor THQ Nordic has revealed any information about a third installment, which is truly regrettable.
Remnant Proves That Soulslikes Don't Need Swords to Succeed
Remnant: From the Ashes was released in 2019, just as Soulslike games were gaining mainstream traction. Instead of simply copying FromSoftware's formula, Gunfire Games replaced traditional melee combat with third-person shooting. The game retained dangerous environments, formidable enemies, and deadly bosses. Dodging attacks and learning enemy patterns remained crucial, but the addition of firearms fundamentally changed the dynamics of combat. The result was both familiar and distinct, with the differences mattering most where it counted.
One of the original game's biggest highlights was its cooperative multiplayer mode. Up to three players could team up to explore perilous worlds, combining different weapons and skills to overcome various challenges. Procedurally generated elements encouraged replayability, as different campaigns featured unique encounters, dungeons, and rewards. Additionally, players could experiment with different character builds each time they returned to the game.
But the original game was far from perfect. The enemy design was frustrating, especially in boss fights, where extra enemies were often thrown in just to increase difficulty. However, its core gameplay was excellent enough to carry the entire experience. The shooting mechanics blended seamlessly with Soulslike elements, so naturally that it's surprising no one had attempted this style before its release. Gunfire Games found their own unique niche, setting their work apart from the many competitors chasing FromSoftware's success.
Remnant 2 Improved Upon Nearly Every Aspect
In July 2023, Remnant 2 was released, proving that Soulslike shooters are more than just a fleeting trend. The sequel built upon the original with more detailed environments, refined combat systems, and deeper character progression. The archetype system allows players to create customized characters, even enabling the use of two archetypes simultaneously. Whether focusing on damage dealing, support, or survival, players have multiple ways to tackle high-difficulty battles. Even though I don't usually play as a sniper, I surprisingly found the sniper archetype incredibly fun.
But the most exciting part lies in the distinct worlds, each with branching storylines and hidden discoveries. I loved exploring this world and uncovering its secrets. Gunfire Games also released three major DLCs: The Awakened King, The Forgotten Kingdom, and The Dark Horizon. These expansions added new environments, enemies, gear, and challenges. Remnant 2 is an ambitious sequel, and it succeeded.
It retained the essence of its predecessor while addressing the original's shortcomings and introducing new systems. Discovering unusual weapons, experimenting with different archetype combinations, and challenging powerful bosses kept me engaged for longer than expected. Most importantly, the game never felt like it was trying to imitate Dark Souls or Elden Ring. Gunfire Games understands the heart of shooter games and integrated it perfectly.
Remnant 3 Could Perfectly Cap Off an Outstanding Soulslike Trilogy
Despite the critical acclaim for Remnant 2, a third mainline entry has not been officially announced. This certainly doesn't mean Gunfire Games plans to abandon the series, but it does leave me curious about what comes next. Considering how much the sequel improved upon the original, the third installment could bring even greater evolution. Gunfire Games already has a solid foundation, so the third game doesn't need to overhaul Everythinggj. Instead, it could refine the successful systems, expand build diversity, and introduce grander worlds and more challenging boss battles.
Remnant 3 could take several directions. I'd love to see more dynamic environments, additional archetypes, and richer co-op modes. The existing unique worlds could remain, or Gunfire Games could introduce entirely new ones. Either way, it would allow for more creative enemy and puzzle designs. I also look forward to more boss fights requiring player coordination, along with some more unique mechanics.
Ultimately, I hope to see another entry in the Remnant series, as there are currently very few Soulslike shooters that perfectly blend challenge, exploration, and co-op gameplay. Gunfire Games may be busy developing Darksiders 4, but they must return to the Remnant series to complete the trilogy. Although there's no confirmation yet on whether Gunfire Games will release a sequel, given the improvements seen in the series, it deserves another chance to surprise us once again.