Risk of Rain Returns will add new abilities for each Survivor

Hopoo Games and Gearbox Software are preparing to release Risk of Rain Returns. The new game will be an updated remake of their 2013 hit roguelike Risk of Rain. In its most recent Dev Thoughts video, the team at Hopoo emphasized Risk of Rain Returns as much more than a straight one-to-one remake of the original. A number of new changes and updates to the 2013 original have been announced, including the addition of new abilities for each Survivor in Risk of Rain Returns.

Risk of Rain Returns with new survivor abilities

This is massive news for veterans of the first game since it unlocks new ways for them to play their favorite Survivors. Risk of Rain Returns includes all content from the original Risk of Rain. This means the following Survivors are getting new abilities:

• Commando
• Enforcer
• Bandit
• Huntress
• HAN-D
• Engineer
• Miner
• Sniper
• Acrid
• Mercenary
• Loader
• Chef

Keep in mind that these new abilities unlock after completing certain challenges, just like in Risk of Rain 2.

According to Hopoo, every Survivor is getting equipped with an additional three new abilities. In the dev video, the team showcased a few of these. The Commando, can unlock the Combat Knife, which dishes out 150% damage and implements a ‘wound’ status. The shielded Enforcer will get a Shield Tackle, which lets him knock back enemies, damaging and stunning them in place.

Risk of Rain Returns – Additional Updates

Of course, new abilities aren’t the only changes announced for the upcoming remake. The Dev Thoughts video also teases several additions, such as an updated codebase allowing new updates that weren’t possible before. The video also teases new music from their fantastic composer, Chris Christodoulou, and even entirely new Survivors.

Image via Hopoo Games

More additions mentioned by the developer include more items, some completely new and others returning from Risk of Rain 2, new stages, new enemy types, new stage interactions, revamped multiplayer, and a new game mode. Additionally, the game will get several balance updates and tweaks.

You can stay posted on Risk of Rain Returns news and updates by visiting its Steam store page. The game doesn’t have a definitive release date, but you can expect to return to the harsh Petrichor V environments sometime in 2023.