While I’m not as massive a fan of Enter the Gungeon as some are (given the choice I’d typically pick Nuclear Throne, but I get why Gungeon is popular) I have a great deal of respect for it and easily count it as one of the top roguelike shooters in the indie space. When I heard the word that it would be getting a sequel I’ll admit I was pretty stoked to see how that great base formula had been iterated on. Unfortunately, though Exit will no doubt have its fans I’d find it hard not to consider it a step backwards though. No doubt in part motivated not to simply run with more of the same where Enter was a top-down shooter, Exit is instead more of a platform shooter and that shift makes major fundamental changes in play. Even if it is obvious that there was an attempt to keep as much the same, in particular the bullet-avoiding dodging and constant flow of weirdo guns, for me the action simply isn’t as ripe with possibility and surprise. From run to run far too many details are pretty close to identical this time around, and that lowered degree of the unexpected really dials back the potential for fun… especially when coupled with the fact that so many of the crazy guns and enemies have lost their edge of originality after the original being out there for years now. If you’re eager to take on the Gungeon with a new sense of purpose don’t let my negativity slow you down, just keep your expectations in check for this outing.