Risk of Rain 2's New DLC Is Already a Steam Hit

Ever wondered if a game can bounce back from a rocky patch? Risk of Rain 2 just proved it can. The roguelike's latest expansion, Hallowed Concepts, dropped this week and it's already winning over players on Steam with an 84% positive review score. That's a 'Very Positive' rating, and for a game that's been through the wringer, it's a big deal.

Let's rewind a bit. Gearbox, the folks behind Borderlands, bought Risk of Rain 2 back in 2022. The original devs soon left for Valve, and the game hit troubled waters. Their first major update, Seekers of the Storm, split the fanbase. But since then, Gearbox has been turning things around with last year's Alloyed Collective and now Hallowed Concepts. It seems like they've finally found their groove.

The Steam reviews are glowing. One player says Hallowed Concepts 'blows every other DLC out of the water,' praising how it reinvigorates the lategame with clever new systems. Another calls it 'easily the best DLC from the new team,' even comparing it to the beloved Void expansion. They also shout out the free update that came alongside it, which added four new skills and challenges (though apparently Acrid's is a bit cruel).

But it's not all perfect. Some negative reviews point to bugs, like bosses spawning outside the map and becoming impossible to attack. One reviewer said two runs died in a single day because of this, and they can't recommend the expansion until it's fixed. Still, those complaints are in the minority, and the overall reception is overwhelmingly positive.

So what does this mean for you? If you've been on the fence about jumping back into Risk of Rain 2, now might be the perfect time. The new content is designed to make the lategame matter again, and the free update adds fresh challenges for veterans. Plus, it's a sign that Gearbox is committed to doing right by the community after that shaky start.

Of course, there's still that AI art controversy lingering in the background, but Gearbox has vowed to take 'full responsibility' and even joked about sending the designer to the Void Fields as punishment. For now, though, the focus is on the game itself, and Hallowed Concepts is a step in the right direction.

Will you be diving into the new expansion? Or are you waiting for those bugs to be squashed first? Let us know in the comments!