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Roguelikes (or roguelites) are RPGs that come in all shapes and sizes nowadays, from traditional dungeon crawlers and shooters to card games. The common element is always some amount of procedural generation to make sure that no two runs the same.
Streets of Rogue 2 might be the most ambitious game this genre has seen if the trailers and developers are to be believed. Considering how addictive and deep the first game was, we’re inclined to believe it.
Because this genre is so saturated and the name doesn’t quite convey just how special this game is, many people who would no doubt love Streets of Rogue 2 are probably ignoring it.
I’m here to right that wrong and tell you all the reasons why you need to get hyped for Streets of Rogue 2.
What is Streets of Rogue 2?
Roguelike Meets Immersive Sim
The first Streets of Rogue had a simple concept but layered in dozens of mechanics and variables on top of it to create a game that felt almost limitless in what you could do.
Streets of Rogue 2 has the same primary objective of overthrowing the current government and becoming President, but trades out the randomly generated stages you progress through for a single open-world environment that is “10,000 times the size of a level from the first game“.
While the first game gave you thousands of ways to complete that main objective through dozens of characters with their own skills, abilities, and interactions, Streets of Rogue 2 doesn’t even require you to pursue the main plot if you don’t feel like it.
Streets of Rogue 2 is a systems-driven game much like an immersive sim. That means everything and everyone reacts differently depending on your actions. You can take an aggressive approach and go guns blazing, or be a complete pacifist and start a farm or run a business.
If you’re looking for the ultimate open-world sandbox experience, nothing will offer as much freedom as Streets of Rogue 2.
When is Streets of Rogue 2 Coming Out?
Expected Release Window: 2024, Early Access August 14
As of now, Streets of Rogue 2 is aiming to be released in full sometime in 2024.
However, you can start playing an earlier build of the game in early access when it launches on August 14, 2024, which will be updated to the final version once it is complete.
Streets of Rogue 2 launches on Steam in Early Access on AUGUST 14th! ????
Check out the new gameplay trailer, which features a banger by @The_Perturbator. Oh, and wishlist the game if you haven't already. pic.twitter.com/2s1KMmSzWe
— Streets of Rogue 2 ?? Wishlist on Steam! (@streetsofrogue) June 9, 2024
What Consoles/Platforms will Streets of Rogue 2 be Available for?
Initially, PC Only
Streets of Rogue 2 will launch as a PC exclusive just like the first game. Console players don’t need to worry, though, because the developer has stated that the game will come to PlayStation, Xbox, and Switch consoles in the future.
Streets of Rogue 2 Trailers
The reveal trailer for Streets of Rogue 2 introduces the new “City of Dreams” where the game will take place and shows off how drastically different your experience can be in the game.
One character becomes a farmer, another a comedian, and a third a businessman. Regardless of which path you take, it seems the President will always be out to spoil your fun and inspire you to spark a rebellion.
The gameplay shows off plenty of chaotic action, but also new building and crafting systems, plus new vehicles and four-player co-op.
Next up we got the gameplay trailer for Streets of Rogue 2 that clearly states the game’s intention to create “the most open-ended and fun sandbox experience ever and evolve the ultimate freedom of choice that made the original game a cult hit.”
NPC collateral damage ?? pic.twitter.com/smXRlw0Y51
— Streets of Rogue 2 ?? Wishlist on Steam! (@streetsofrogue) May 16, 2024
It restates the goal, but this time offers up a few new possible ways to accomplish it, such as hiring a group of mercenaries, unleashing a zombie outbreak, or just ignoring it and starting a peaceful farm.
It teases just a fraction of the possibilities the game has in store to get your creativity going and inspire you to want to try things for yourself.
Why Fans Are Excited
The only real criticism I could see about Streets of Rogue was the fact that you were constrained in both time and space. You only had so long to exit a zone before you were forced out by overwhelming danger, and the areas themselves were never all that large.
Streets of Rogue 2 fixes both of these issues, plus adds more of what we loved from the first game. The open world means you never have to worry about running out of time or space, and opens up even more ways for systems to interact on a large scale.
The addition of more classes and systems only increases how deep Streets of Rogue 2 can get. Thanks to the advanced AI, everything reacts appropriately to your actions in ways expected and unexpected.
Streets of Rogue 2 looks like it will make the first game feel like a prototype, and that game was already one of the best mashups of roguelike and immersive sims you could get.
Streets of Rogue 2 Price
Expected Price: $25
There is no listed price for the early access version of Streets of Rogue 2, but the developer did state in an FAQ what range it expects to charge. According to developer Matt, “If I had to make an educated guess based on the current indie games market, it will likely release into Early Access at $19.99 or $24.99 USD.”
While it could be $20, we suggest expecting $25 and hopefully being pleasantly surprised if it ends up being cheaper.
The Bottom Line
Anyone who has even a passing interest in systems-driven games should check out Streets of Rogue 2. This game promises a level of freedom and reactivity that is almost unheard of in modern gaming.
With the freedom to play however you want, either alone or with friends, you could spend hundreds of hours in Streets of Rogue 2 and have completely different experiences each time by switching up your class and goals.
Check out Streets of Rogue 2’s early access release date on August 14 to hit the streets as soon as it launches.
