Screenshots & trailers
What players say
Why the number is what it is: aspect mentions counted across 299 sampled Steam reviews (281 positive / 18 negative), recent and most-helpful. Plain keyword counting, fully reproducible; nothing here is written by a machine.
What positive reviews talk about
- Visuals & art8% mention it
- Story & writing7% mention it
- Music & audio6% mention it
- Progression & loot4% mention it
What negative reviews complain about
- Progression & loot22% mention it
- Controls & UI22% mention it
- Difficulty & balance17% mention it
Satisfaction by hours played
Same score, different games: see how sentiment holds up the longer people play.
Under 5h
89%
85 reviews
5-15h
94%
90 reviews
15-40h
97%
65 reviews
40-100h
96%
48 reviews
100h+
100%
11 reviews
Review sentiment over time
Weekly positive-review rate (green) and review volume (bars). Dashed lines mark significant patches; the amber line is the start of the current scoring window. Hover the dots to see what drove a dip or a jump.
How this score was computed
The VGC Score is a weighted blend on a press-comparable 0-100 quality scale. Steam approval rates are first calibrated (95% positive on Steam ≈ 89.5 quality, since Steam approval skews high). Press and tracked creator reviews each count ~2x a player review and share one cap against player evidence (creator buy/skip calls pool into an approval rate, calibrated like Steam approval); all-time sentiment is capped and halved (it's context, not verdict); reviews of the current build carry the most weight when a fresh patch anchors the window; and a 'typical game' prior keeps small samples from pegging the scale. Because press reviews and Metacritic user aggregates describe the launch build, their weight decays as the game ages (3-year half-life after a 1-year grace). That's how a game that launched rough can outgrow its old reception once updates win players over. Reviews under 2h playtime (the refund window), non-Steam activations, and free copies are downweighted.
| Component | Positive | Quality (0-100) | Weight (pseudo-reviews) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Press reviews (OpenCritic) | – | 84 | 26 |
| All-time Steam reviews | 90% | 84 | 1000 |
| Metacritic user ratings | – | 83 | 25 |
| Post-patch Steam reviews (trust-weighted) | 94% | 89 | 763 |
| Calibration prior (typical game) | – | 72 | 50 |
Scoring window: since the last significant patch (Aug 29, 2025) · 300 reviews sampled · 763 total reviews in window · weighted 181.1 up / 11 down · computed 2h ago · full methodology →
Press & Creators reviews (21)
Individual verdicts from outlets we track: scored reviews first, most trusted outlets first among them. The small badge is each outlet's trust score: how well its scoring history aligns with players.
- 70
“Basically a rehash of the same great roguelike from years ago, complete with enough new content worthy of being a separate game, but also the same issues that the first had.”
read full review ↗ - 100
“Risk of Rain Returns is a phenomenal game that revitalizes the classic with a visual overhaul and many thoughtful new additions.”
read full review ↗ - 100
“Risk of Rain Returns is an example of not only how to perfect a remake but also how to perfect a roguelike. All of the changes made to the game felt fitting and, on top of that, improved upon so many elements of the game that it just made it an insanely high-quality product. In terms of roguelike games, Risk of Rain Returns will sit up there as one of the best alongside games like The Binding of Isaac, Hades, and even Risk of Rain 2.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“With its enhancements over the original release, Risk of Rain Returns is an excellent game to spend some time with, whether that's on your own or playing with mates. It does make me want to go and play more Risk of Rain 2 though, as I do miss the extra dimension, but that could just be a me problem.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Hopoo’s overall passionate reputation, the improved codebase, and eventual seamless updates give me hope. The biggest compliment I can give Returns is that it made the original on par with Risk of Rain 2. It’s just a matter of preference between 2D and 3D combat. While it’s an improved blast from the past for solo play, Returns truly shines for those who want to experience a better 2013 version with up to four friends. It’s a superbly redesigned original with excellent online multiplayer content akin to RoR2.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Risk of Rain Returns partly reflects the progress made in the Roguelite genre a decade ago. However, compared to many modern Roguelite games that have kept up with the times, it still shows some clear flaws and areas that need improvement.”
read full review ↗ - 76
“A satisfying, if conservative, return to the seminal roguelike's 2D roots.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“Risk of Rain Returns is an incredible game and a well-rounded package that will have you running it back to an unhealthy degree.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“More than an attempt to cash in on the growing popularity of a series that started out in a somewhat niche way, Risk of Rain Returns is a welcomed remake that offers enough quality-of-life improvements and new content to be relevant and appealing to both fans and newcomers to the action roguelike genre. It plays great, has enough content and diversity to keep you entranced for weeks, and the new additions might just be what the game needed to appeal to a crowd that wasn’t attracted by the original. While not perfect, it’s a blasted good time where every frustrating death is nothing but an invitation to another run with renewed confidence.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“This all manifests into a project that feels like a true gift for fans and a premium prospect for roguelite veterans who may have missed its original launch. Risk of Rain Returns takes an all-timer which might have been overshadowed by its sequel and gives it much, much more than a fresh coat of paint.”
read full review ↗ - 100
“Risk of Rain Returns is a beautiful re-entry into the series that started some great memories and friendships. This game already has me hooked for the next couple of years. It’s beginner friendly and helps you learn from your mistakes to become better aware of what to do or grab. I can’t wait to see what they have in store or what the mod community have in store either for Returns.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Risk of Rain Returns might not be quite as free-flowing as its 3D successor, but it's a brilliant recreation of the original title that started it all. It hooks you and keeps you playing, dying, then playing again.”
read full review ↗
cublikefoot
eXputer
GamesCreed
TheSixthAxis
GameSkinny
Gamersky
PC Gamer
GamingBolt
Multiplayer First
Screen Rant
Thumb Culture
GGRecon…and 9 more tracked reviews.
Patch history
- Risk of Rain Returns... returns! (V1.1.0)Aug 29, 2025
- Patch Notes 1.1.0Aug 29, 2025significant · resets scoring window
- Patch Notes 1.0.5Jan 11, 2024significant · resets scoring window
- Patch Notes 1.0.4Dec 12, 2023significant · resets scoring window
- Patch Notes 1.0.3Nov 17, 2023significant · resets scoring window
- Patch Notes Version 1.0.2Nov 10, 2023significant · resets scoring window