videogamescritic
← all games
Reus 2

Reus 2

Abbey Games · released May 28, 2024

IndieSimulationStrategy

Shape worlds with your godly titans. Make symbiotic ecosystems and inspire humanity with your creations. Their achievements unlock new possibilities. Make different planets for different human spirits, and fill the universe with life!

88
VGC Score
Stablehigh confidence

anchored at patch: “Update v1.11.4” (6mo ago)

89%
At launch
94%
Steam all-time
79%
Press
93%
Recent sentiment

Screenshots & trailers

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.

ComponentPositiveQuality (0-100)Weight (pseudo-reviews)
Press reviews (OpenCritic)7925
All-time Steam reviews94%891000
Metacritic user ratings0
Post-patch Steam reviews (trust-weighted)93%8793
Calibration prior (typical game)7250

Scoring window: since the last significant patch (Mar 5, 2026) · 93 reviews sampled · 89 total reviews in window · weighted 71.5 up / 5.3 down · computed 2h ago · full methodology →

Press & Creators reviews (17)

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
    trust 80Jan 8, 2026

    Reus 2 is a slow, thoughtful god game where you shape planets and watch civilizations react to the world you create. It focuses more on experimenting and learning than fast action or strict rules. The Switch controls can be a little clunky, but once things click, it's a relaxing and rewarding experience. It's best suited for players who enjoy chill, creative strategy games over constant excitement.

    read full review ↗
  • 80
    trust 76Mar 19, 2025

    Reus 2 is a very interesting sequel to the original strategy game, which carves its own path. It doesn’t try to compete with big city-building games or realistic civilization simulators. Instead, it offers a unique view of the world’s development from the perspective of divine creators. If you prefer a more relaxed pace, enjoy pondering things more deeply, and are looking for a well-thought-out game with high replay value, then Reus 2 is the clear choice for you.

    read full review ↗
  • 80
    trust 75Nov 28, 2025

    Reus 2 on Xbox Series S is a rich and thoughtful god game that rewards careful planning, experimentation, and a love of emergent storytelling, offering hours of meditative world building for anyone willing to push through its initially daunting interface. Its evocative titans, evolving eras, and satisfying puzzle like approach to Biotica placement make it a standout in a niche genre, even if the console controls and occasionally awkward text scaling hold it back from true greatness on this particular platform.

    read full review ↗
  • 80
    trust 73Dec 3, 2025

    Without completely reinventing the formula, Reus 2 represents a refined and deeper evolution of its predecessor. It’s a game that encourages creativity,experimentation,and wonder, always maintaining that unique charm that has made the Reus series beloved by fans. Perfect for those seeking a management experience that is different from the usual, meditative yet full of possibilities.

    read full review ↗
  • 68
    trust 70Oct 27, 2025

    It does bring god gaming of a sort to the Switch 2, but issues with the implementation of the controls and UI converting from PC to console can hamper enjoyment

    read full review ↗
  • 81
    trust 70Feb 6, 2026

    Reus 2 and its DLCs offer more than just a modern god game; they are a grand strategic puzzle about balance, consequences, and cycles of creation. It's a title that might not immediately grab your attention, but gradually wins you over and is hard to put down if you allow yourself to delve into its systems.

    read full review ↗
  • 80
    trust 69Nov 13, 2025

    Quote not yet available

    read full review ↗
  • 70
    trust 69Nov 10, 2025

    I enjoy the act of building out the solar system and making better planets as I learned the best approach. It's a shame that the way to navigate and read the game is so crippling for an otherwise fun game. Fingers crossed they consider some enhancements in the future.

    read full review ↗
  • 80
    trust 68Nov 21, 2025

    Abbey Games clearly learned from the first outing and refined it into something both deeper and more approachable. The Xbox version looks great, runs smooth, the only real wrinkle is the controls feel clumsy with a controller. Hopefully we can see a patch or two that will address this, but even with that issue players on Xbox will find more to love than hate with Reus 2.

    read full review ↗
  • 80
    trust 66Dec 3, 2025

    Reus 2 returns as a sequel that preserves the spirit of the original game while offering a more mature and refined experience. Its role-based system allows for calm, pressure-free planning, as you control giants to restore life to planets through natural elements. The game delivers deep strategic gameplay built on harmony and resource management. A recommended experience for anyone looking for something fresh and distinctive in the strategy genre.

    read full review ↗
  • 75
    trust 66Oct 30, 2025

    Use your godly powers, as well as the abilities of giants, to shape populated worlds to your liking. Consoles have now joined the PC. It's a pleasant relaxation, although without a higher goal for your endeavors.

    read full review ↗
  • 95
    trust 65Oct 29, 2025

    Reus 2 is utterly brilliant, and what all god games should strive to be!

    read full review ↗

…and 5 more tracked reviews.

Patch history

  1. Update v1.11.4
    Mar 5, 2026significant · resets scoring window
  2. Update v1.11.3
    Feb 12, 2026
  3. Update v1.11.2
    Jan 29, 2026significant · resets scoring window
  4. Update v1.11.1
    Jan 22, 2026
  5. New Update: Manchuria Update
    Jan 22, 2026significant · resets scoring window
  6. Update v1.10.3
    Dec 1, 2025
  7. Update v1.10.2
    Nov 26, 2025
  8. Update v1.10.1
    Nov 22, 2025
  9. New Major Update: Kruger Update
    Sep 12, 2025significant · resets scoring window
  10. Teaser Kruger Update: New residents! 🐒
    Sep 5, 2025significant · resets scoring window
  11. Our fifth Roadmap & Coming soon: The Kruger Update
    Aug 27, 2025significant · resets scoring window
  12. Hotfix v1.8.3
    Jul 25, 2025
  13. Hotfix v1.8.2
    Jul 21, 2025
  14. Hotfix v1.8.1
    Jul 18, 2025
  15. TactiCon Support Update
    Jul 17, 2025significant · resets scoring window
  16. Major Update: Uluru Kata Tjuta Update
    May 21, 2025significant · resets scoring window
  17. Hotfix v1.6.3
    Mar 20, 2025
  18. Minor Update v1.6.2
    Mar 19, 2025significant · resets scoring window
  19. Hotfix v1.6.1
    Mar 12, 2025
  20. New Major Update: Micro Kingdom Update
    Mar 11, 2025significant · resets scoring window
  21. Micro Kingdom Update Explainer
    Feb 28, 2025significant · resets scoring window
  22. Hotfix v1.5.3
    Jan 22, 2025
  23. Hotfix v1.5.2
    Jan 17, 2025
  24. Hotfix v1.5.1
    Jan 16, 2025
  25. Major Update: Cataclysm Update
    Jan 16, 2025significant · resets scoring window
  26. Hotfix v1.4.3
    Nov 26, 2024
  27. Hotfix v1.4.2
    Nov 22, 2024
  28. Major Update: Amur Update
    Nov 22, 2024significant · resets scoring window
  29. Hotfix v1.3.3
    Oct 14, 2024
  30. v1.3.2 Hotfix
    Oct 11, 2024
  31. Major Update: Atlantic Forest Update
    Oct 10, 2024significant · resets scoring window
  32. v1.2.5 Hotfix
    Sep 3, 2024
  33. Surprise Update: Central Park Update
    Aug 30, 2024significant · resets scoring window
  34. v1.2.2 Hotfix
    Jul 19, 2024
  35. v1.2.1 Hotfix
    Jul 18, 2024
  36. Major Update: Great Barrier Reef Update and TactiCon begins!
    Jul 18, 2024significant · resets scoring window
  37. v1.1.2 Hotfix
    Jun 28, 2024
  38. v1.1.1 Hotfix
    Jun 27, 2024

…and 5 earlier patch announcements.