Risk of Rain 2's unique mix of third-person co-op action and a cyclical roguelike structure hasn't really been matched or even challenged all that much in the years since its launch, so one indie team is having a go with its newly-released fantasy twist.
"We kept waiting for another Risk of Rain 2. It never came. So we quit AAA and made LORT," developer Big Distraction wrote on social media to celebrate the early access release of LORT, a game that looks very much like Gearbox Software's roguelike, except there's magic and goblins and a giant crow riding a van in this one! (And guns, don't worry.)
What LORT actually stands for is a complete mystery to me, but the game is pretty simple to wrap your head around. You and up to seven other friends can team up, loot a fantasy world, buildcraft by stacking a bunch of flashy upgrades before taking on bosses looking to ruin your run.
LORT's Steam page reveals that the developers have experience working on early seasons of "Fortnite, Rocket League, and other community-driven games," hence why they've chosen to go down the early access route hand-in-hand with players. Big Distraction even has a roadmap ready to go.
Right now, the game already includes four procgen biomes, a handful of playable adventurers, nine weapon types, and one "Muscle Mummy Statue"... whatever that means. But in the next big update coming before this summer, the devs also plan on adding daggers, more powerups, and a new "rogue" class that looks like a frog-turned-assassin. An endless mode, difficulty settings, and more everything are included in the rest of the roadmap.
"We have a lot of ideas for LORT. A lot. But while we like our ideas, we ultimately want to make what you and the rest of the community want. So we will be waiting, watching, reading, listening, and engaging with the community post-release to see what we should bring to LORT," the team wrote.
Steam user reviews are also 'Mostly Positive,' with players praising the game's meta-progression and build potential. Others complain that the game's not exactly built for solo play and there's no matchmaking to soften the blow, either, though I'm sure that'll be something that eventually makes its way onto the LORT roadmap.
As for what LORT actually stands for, your guess is as good as mine. Is it a riff on loot that I'm too slow to notice? Lord of Rings The? Or maybe it's part of the game's internet humor that I'm too old for now - powerups are named Trophy of Swole, Boomer's Blessing, and whatnot, after all.
In the meantime, here are the best roguelikes to check out now.
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