Reus 2: Rise of the Titans

Sometimes there’s nothing quite like a good strategy game to escape the overwhelming pressures of life, including those within the gaming industry itself. Much like solving a crossword, a puzzle, playing chess or various board games, the mind often craves a challenge that engages analytical and strategic thinking. This is where Reus 2 comes into play, offering a charming yet profound experience. In this game, you assume the role of a god, intervening in the development of humanity… or not?

The Role of the Deity and Its Total Control

Reus 2 is the latest installment from Abbey Games. Recently released for Switch and Xbox, we got to play a version for Xbox Series.

For those unfamiliar with the IP, it’s a strategy and management game where you take on the role of a god, overseeing the genesis of humanity on planets in a solar system. Despite being all-powerful, you can’t influence the world directly, but through a group of giants as extensions of your power.

At the beginning of Reus 2, you control three giants, with more to come later. Your initial planetary expeditions involve managing a giant focused on forests and plants, another on deserts, and a third devoted to the sea.

Playing with the notion of destiny, the game allows you to set initial objectives for your experiment with humans. They start as cavemen but can evolve into societies driven by scientific development, the quest for abundance, crafting, or unchecked ambition, all in pursuit of wealth.

You’re welcomed by an empty planet, which you can terraform as you please. My first experience was satisfying because it wasn’t an isometric view but a circular one. You rotate the planet according to your interests with each giant, zooming in or out to admire and manage your creation.

Once you have forests, deserts, and the crucial sea in place, you’ll witness population growth led by a leader. Humans recognize the giants as divine manifestations and will react in various ways to your territorial decisions.

Much like a Big Bang, these initial decisions trigger a complex structure with its own logic. Each action by the giants, whether creating specific territorial conditions or nurturing them, sets off a series of events that captivate attention and generate anticipation about the actions of the new inhabitants on this tiny planet.

Peace? Not Even in a Video Game

One of the key strengths of Reus 2 is offering choices for every player type. You can choose a free mode with no restrictions or a traditional path with specific objectives as you create life on each planet.

The progression system is well executed, and although the action-consequence cycle is initially confusing, it invites experimentation. This is where the game shines, especially when selecting population leaders with marked contrasts.

On my planet, one community pursued prosperity through nature conservation, while another across the sea, led by a young pirate-minded leader, sought wealth over development, leading inevitably to conflict.

Tensions can flare among leaders as they share goals but have incompatible growth perspectives. They might seek more territory or technological advancement that benefits them but harms the rest of the planet. They won’t ask for permission to act. In this respect, the game features a dynamic and balanced AI that adds to the fun with its unpredictability. The world might have a good day, but desert inhabitants can suddenly disrupt everything by seeking wealth through raiding other territories.

What to do? Assume the role of god and act or deliberately omit action through the giants. Each has a natural disaster at their disposal to restore order or teach a lesson. You can end a war with an earthquake or tornado, or decide to punish the attackers. Of course, this will have consequences in terms of resources, casualties, and the perception inhabitants have of each giant and, therefore, of god. They might love or hate you intensely based on your relationship with them.

This gameplay turns addictive and entertaining due to its complexity, but is simpler than standout titles in the genre. Thus, Reus 2 fulfills its purpose as a strategy and management video game, prompting frequent returns for another match.

Reus 2 Is Adorable, But Console Experience Falls Short

The art design in Reus 2 aligns with its more accessible and open proposal to various audiences. Giants, planets, humans, plants, and animals contribute to creating a functioning world. They’re not grand historical developments, but over each era, you see the path each population took and the impact of your decisions.

The soundtrack is notable for being relaxing when it should be and becoming emotional during significant events. Sounds become recognizable, and soon you’ll know what’s happening on the planet and who needs something.

Unfortunately, this isn’t a perfect experience, and ironically, its console debut highlights the project’s limitations.

A major concern when porting such games to consoles is their initial design for PC or mobile, with interfaces intended for mouse or touch controls. On Xbox, adapting to the controller was difficult due to a lack of adjustments for a console experience. The game lacks shortcuts and specific configurations for optimal console control.

Information and on-screen menus can be overwhelming, and moving from one marker to another has different results depending on whether you use the directional pad or stick. While familiarization comes after a few hours, it’s an uncomfortable experience that stands out negatively due to its console release.

An Entry Point to the Genre

In the end, Reus 2 fares well. Despite its shortcomings on console ports due to the lack of optimal adaptation for traditional controls, it remains a good strategy and management game. With its difficulty level, learning curve, and audiovisual elements, it’s a fine entry point to the genre if you haven’t tried it or don’t want to dive into numerous menus, options, and on-screen information. Its simplistic yet effective style, combined with hours of fun and creative possibilities, make it an interesting choice to pass the time, exercise the mind, and perhaps relax for a moment.