Slime Rancher 2 review

Slime Rancher 2 builds upon the quirky foundations laid by San Mateo-based Monomi Park’s 2016 original, expanding the scope of the ranch-sim adventure. Where the first game introduced players to the engaging gameplay loop of corralling slimes, harvesting plorts, and building a steady income, the sequel raises the bar with a more stimulating setting, bigger biomes, and a welcome sense of exploration.

Sure, the opening hours feel familiar, as Beatrix LeBeau uses her Vacback to vacuum up the gelatinous creatures, experimenting with combinations, and managing resources. But it becomes apparent that the sequel offers a richer, more organic world.

Caverns, Coastlines, and a Mysterious Labyrinth

One of the most notable differences from the original game is the new environment, Rainbow Island. It’s a location inundated with personality with extending plains, murky caverns, and with the latest update, the Grey Labyrinth, which feels more like a Zelda dungeon than a generic playfield.

While the first game’s environments were vibrant but constrained, Rainbow Island flaunts verticality, hidden alcoves, and even a bit of and environmental storytelling. Now, exploration feels more like a genuine adventure, where surprises are hiding behind every rock arch, snaking coastline, and subterranean passageway. The island is a sprawling landmass, so even with tools like the in-game map and customizable waypoint, you can sporadically get lost.

On The Origin of Slime Species

Pleasingly, Rancher 2’s biological ecosystems have also been given a welcome upgrade. Slimes don’t just exist in static pockets. Now, they interact with each other in noticeable ways, creating microhabitats that feel surprisingly lifelike. From (optional) Tarrs that hunt in packs and pursue their prey, cliffside-illumining phosphor slimes that emerge only after dusk, there’s are microhabitat in each biome.

The result is an experience that makes players think about qualities like resource scarcity and ecological balance without allowing them to paint themselves in a corner. And while it might go against the game’s feelgood temperament, I would have loved to have seen a mode where permanent extinction is possible. There’s even an instance of exposition that hints that the disappearance of slime species is possible.

It’s a Chicken Market in the Slime Economy

Unsurprisingly, financial progression still drives much of the experience with Slime Rancher 2 making a few changes to its plort-market economics. Now, prices fluctuate dynamically, rewarding strategic farming and urging players to keep their slime portfolios diversified. While it’s not a hardcore economic sim, Rancher 2’s shifting plort values provided enough incentive to pay attention to the slime market. Alternatively, if you’re into automation, Quantum Drones can provide a bit of assistance, although they are rather expensive to acquire.

However, what really stands out is the game’s sense of autonomy. Slime Rancher 2 eschews heavy-handed tutorials or strict progression, letting players set their own pace and priorities. Some may focus on creating sprawling, efficient ranches, while others will lose hours charting out the furthest corners of Rainbow Island. That freedom is complemented by better world-building, with subtle environmental cues or the occasional narrative breadcrumb enticing you to forge your path instead of following a rigid script.

Gooey Framerates Even on Portable Hardware

Performance is a customary concern for open-world games on handheld hardware. Fortunately, Slime Rancher 2 runs surprisingly well on the Steam Deck and ROG Ally once the graphical options are turned down. Sure, the fluidity isn’t flawless. There are occasional dips in busier ranches or where multiple biomes overlap. However, the experience is smooth enough to not impair your pursuits. That said, battery consumption can be swift, with just less than two-hours of playtime on a non-OLED Deck.

Compared to its predecessor, Slime Rancher 2 forgoes a self-assured identity. While the original could feel like a proof of concept at times, Monomi Park’s follow-up delivers deeper mechanics, alluring environment, new gadgets, and more upgrades for Beatrix and her Vac. Sure, it doesn’t reinvent the formula, but there’s more than enough enrichment and enjoyment in Slime Rancher 2 to earn a wholehearted recommendation.

Slime Rancher 2 was played on PC with review code provided by the publisher.