Quite a few more reviews for Wasteland 2 have come out since we last checked, and they more or less follow the template set up by the first wave of critics’ write-ups, and further consolidated the game’s 80 Metacritic score.
GameReactor UK, 8/10.
It’s the depth of the world, the choices we were presented with, and humour with which the whole thing was delivered, that ultimately won us over. From time to time the pace drops away (but given the size of the game lulls are to be expected), but for the most part this is an enthralling and engaging role-playing game, and one we’re glad we backed.
Shacknews, 8/10.
Wasteland 2 has everything a deep role-playing game should: a large open world, multiple decision paths, and a satisfying mix of serious themes and dark comedy. It can be a long journey, and one where the end is nowhere in sight, but it’s an experience that’s easy to get lost in.
GamingBolt, 7/10.
Wasteland 2 is a game well worthy of the legacy it was born from and as an RPG it’s certainly a good game. But given the traits, common nature, and similarities that all RPGs share it’s hard for the game to stand out as something spectacular amongst the large number of other games within this category. Good is as far as it goes for this game, and if the post-apocalyptic theme and love for the 26 year old original are the appeals that this game stands on, then it’s highly worth the experience.
GameTrailers, 8.6/10.
Yet these gripes feel minor in a game that offers so much. After all the time we’ve spent traveling the wastes, there’s still more we have yet see. Wasteland 2 may not be the best looking game nor does it play in any sort of revelatory fashion, but it can still pull you in and refuse to let go.
GamesBeat, 94/100.
The graphics aren’t great and InXile has a few kinks to work out in the game’s programming and storyline, but these become less and less apparent as Wasteland 2 sucks you into its brutal version of America.
Destructoid, 8/10.
Wasteland 2 is an expansive game that demands to be replayed again and again to get the best out of it. While a lot of the detailed mechanics feel somewhat archaic, they’re not going to hold back dedicated players who want to micromanage and really role play their group of characters. It has all of the familiar elements and even if some aspects of its presentation are not quite up to modern standards, its design and gameplay are timeless and welcome.
IGN, 8.4/10.
Wasteland 2 might not be the prettiest CRPG to hit digital shelves this year, but it captures the harsh hypothetical realities of the post-apocalyptic American Southwest with excellent writing, decisions with terrifying consequences, and background voice work that reinforce the human suffering that results from them. It’s a game about the power of choices, and the few remaining glitches and issues with its combat do little to diminish its power.
GameSpot, 8/10.
In many ways, though, Wasteland 2 represents everything about classic computer role-playing games that the modern iterations of Fallout aren’t. Where Fallout 3 gives you an extreme amount of general latitude, Wasteland 2 focuses on the narrative minutiae and tangible consequences of your individual actions. Where Fallout 3 tries to craft a broad world that feels whole, Wasteland 2 loosely strings together several locations with hidden connections, with secrets waiting to be discovered and picked over. And where Fallout masterfully uses comedy to lambast the ludicrous tone of paranoia surrounding Cold War America, Wasteland 2 attacks the natural arrogance of the individual. It forces us to confront the painful truth of our own blind self-righteousness, and shows us how childish our own grand plans truly are.
BritGaming, 4/5.
Along with the storyline, a huge roster of playable characters is attainable as you progress through the game. Do and say the right things, gain new characters and friends as a result. Each character appears to have their own unique and rich backstory. That and the game is dripping with lore and atmospheric sounds and music. For that Wasteland 2, I’ll hump your leg all day long.
Videogamer.com, 6/10.
It’s not a bad game, and it’s worth playing for the plot and setting alone. But it’s not a great RPG, and that’s a problem, because it’s an RPG. Somehow, it amounts to less than the sum of its parts.
Worlds Factory, 93/100.
It took a long time coming, but the wait was worth it. Wasteland 2 offers one of the best and richest stories in recent RPG memory and successfully manages to lower the barrier to entry without sacrificing what makes games like these deep and challenging. This is a game I can easily recommend to RPG fans of all kinds as there is plenty to love here, no matter what you like.
The whole experience is only stained by a few too many bugs but, luckily, none of them seem to break the game or ruin the experience other than being a short distraction. This is a great title in its own right, and a good omen for Torment: Tides of Numenera.
Gizorama, 4.5/5.
You know a game is good, when your real-life concerns morph into worries of how well your squad is equipped for their next encounter. And Wasteland 2 does that the best. Gone are the thoughts about the next day of work or school. You have more pressing concerns now. The water pumps of a post-apocalyptic town are about to explode!
Mouse N Joypad, 88%.
After a nicely drawn out Early Access period, Wasteland 2 is finally in its golden state ready to be played by the masses. Being a gargantuan title in every way possible, I suggest taking a vacation to play this radioactive wasteland to its end. Don’t expect the game to let you go easily, either. Wasteland 2 proves that even today, gamers enjoy deep and complicated games and that Kickstarter can help in producing masterpieces every once in a while. And despite its flaws Wasteland 2 is one of those games.
Enemy Slime, 5/5.
Wasteland 2 is the kind of game that makes the hours melt away as you are playing it. It provides a great post-apocalyptic RPG experience that is a prime example of how to blend old-school design philosophies with modern technology. It is challenging, rewarding, and has solid mechanics. The great presentation and music bring it all together to create one of the best RPG’s I’ve played this year, and the kind of post apocalyptic RPG that I did not think I would get the chance to play again. I won’t claim it is perfect. I recognize that there are design decisions that I liked that will turn some people off. It will certainly not appeal to everyone, but it more than succeeded in its task to bring a modern take on the old turn based RPGs. I give this game a hearty recommendation, and I cannot wait to see what else InXile can bring to the table not that they seem to have found a funding model that allows for their creative freedom.
GamerScape, 4/5.
Wasteland 2 is simply outstanding. Enormous amounts of gameplay mechanics, which are easy to learn, adapt and. mostly enjoy. A great and interesting story, good visuals and a well executed soundtrack. Now go and show how good of a Desert Ranger you can be!
GamersHonestTruth, 8.5/10.
I fully expect Wasteland 2, 25 years from now, to give this generation of gamers the same nostalgic feelings I have playing this while thinking back to the original Wasteland. I only hope we do not have to wait that long to once again wander the wastelands in the boots of a Desert Ranger. Well done, Brain Fargo and the team at inXile entertainment. Now bring on Torment: Tides of Numenera!
PCGamesN, 8/10.
Wasteland 2 is huge. It’s not just the massive map, but the number of stories and the myriad ways they can play out. Though some moments left me disappointed, I always left the game eager to return. Inventive solutions to tricky standoffs, my failure to save a life, a silly line of text spotted in the corner of my eye – those are the things that stuck with me every time I pressed (quit).
Metro, 7/10.
So while Wasteland 2 may look old fashioned, that’s not the problem. In fact it’s actually quite attractive-looking at times, with a better variety of landscapes than Fallout 3 (although the music is much less atmospheric). The issue is that in its attempts to roll back the clock the game throws the baby out with the bathwater, refusing to accept more modern ways of doing things even when they’d clearly be to its advantage.
And yet even with this obstinacy it’s still a hugely satisfying role-playing experience, and inevitably makes you wish all the harder for the inevitable Fallout 4.
The Sydney Morning Herald, scoreless.
After being delayed for almost a year fairly typical for a crowdfunded video game – Wasteland 2 is finally out this week on Steam and other digital stores for Windows, Mac, and Linux.
Stevivor, 7/10.
Issues aside, the game itself is very enjoyable. Combat is deep and offers a lot of reward to RPG number-crunchers, the world is well-rounded and full of surprises for those keen to dive in, and it carries a strong atmosphere. If you like your games snappy and high-paced, this probably isn’t for you but if you like exploring every inch of the world you’re playing in, the Ranger’s badge may be a good fit.
Something Awful has a one-sentence review and some character tips, 9/10.
For every fiddly or opaque mechanic there are a dozen hours of Fallout 1/2-ish adventuring and XCOM/Shadowrun Returns-ish combat, which means there are many dozens of very fun hours
PlayNation, 8/10.
I’m several hours into Wasteland 2 and have yet to finish it, as there are still plenty of places to go and robots to dismantle. I would even imagine that I (after finishing) will replay it as some point, an honor I don’t bestow on many games, but I feel Wasteland 2 rewards my investment of time. If you have made it this far into my review, I think you’ll like the game as much as I do: Hence, I can only advise you to guy buy the game. Go get it now, I’ll still be here when you get back. Go on!
Softpedia, 8/10.
Wasteland 2 manages to be both a little nostalgic and innovative, and there’s a lot of value here for long-term fans of the genre and for those who want to see how crowdfunding allows developers to go back in time and revive some of the most interesting ideas in the history of gaming.
Analog Addiction, 8/10.
Overall, Wasteland 2 definitely impressed me. The old school style RPG welcomes with open arms both old fans and new gamers. While the gameplay could stand to be a bit more intuitive, the intricate storytelling and dark wit more than make up for the slightly clumsy mechanics. Now if you will excuse me, I have more terrifying robots to destroy.
CNET, scoreless.
For me, Wasteland 2 managed to make me feel nostalgic for ‘old-school’ RPGs, while still feeling like a fresh and well-made game that made me want to keep playing long after I should have been doing something else. You’re getting a lot of bang for your forty bucks (or 30 quid) of game and one that I think may have a decent level of replay value. It certainly bodes well for anyone waiting for InXile’s next project, Torment: Tides of Numenera.
Game Over Online, 85%.
I think had I supported the Wasteland 2 Kickstarter, I would be happy with the outcome. It faithfully recreates the atmosphere of Wasteland 1 (a copy of which, I should probably mention, comes with Wasteland 2) while at the same time modernizing the game with new gameplay elements. It’s a little buggy, and a little bland on the eyes (I bought a new 30) 1900×1200 monitor for what exactly?), but it is funny as hell if your humor runs blackly, and is absolutely packed with stuff.
The Arts Desk, scoreless.
There’s also a charm to be had from the sheer scale of the game and its weird, black humour. But ultimately, games have moved on from this kind of play for good reason. If the original game incites spark of nostalgia, or you love resolutely retro and tough role-play gaming, then enjoy. Most should avoid like an irradiated giant cockroach.
The AU Review, 8/10.
But all this in mind, Wasteland 2 is a fine RPG and one that I look forward to sinking my teeth into further… Good luck, fellow Wastelanders!
Stuff.co.nz, 8/10.
For those waiting since the original Wasteland, good on you for keeping your hopes up this long; it’s finally paid off.
To everyone else, while it might be a little too old-school RPG for some of you, I’d say give it a try anyway.
The involved writing and story design more than make up for any shortcomings in graphical fidelity.
See you in the desert, ranger.
Invision Community, 4/5.
Fans of Fallout or tactical RPGs will love this game and fans of survival genres will also enjoy the scavenging and scouring it takes to win in this game. There are some annoyances with the game, mostly technical and some characters can be very boring or cliché.
Digital Chump, 8.4/10.
Sprawling, addictive, and finding a potent balance between suspense and fun, Wasteland 2 fits great in any PC gamer’s collection.
NZGamer, 8.0/10.
For those waiting since the original Wasteland, good on you for keeping your hopes up this long; it’s finally paid off. To everyone else, while it might be a little too old-school RPG for some of you, I’d say give it a try anyway. The involved writing and story design more than make up for any shortcomings in graphical fidelity. See you in the desert, ranger.
