Developer Monomi Park has returned to its slime-tastic origins, greater than 9 years after the Early Entry launch of Slime Rancher, with its much-anticipated follow-up, Slime Rancher 2. The sport’s developer first launched Slime Rancher 2 by means of Early Entry in 2022, and after three years, it bid farewell because it lastly slime dunked its method onto consoles and PCs.
Slime Rancher 2 units out to proceed the epic adventures of rancher and protagonist, Beatrix “Bea” LeBeau, however this time round, in a model new location, the Rainbow Island. This new location is stuffed to the brim with new slimes to look after, mysteries to uncover, and areas to discover as Slime Rancher 2 goals to ship a much bigger, slime-filled journey, one thing the developer has lengthy sought to supply because the authentic sport’s launch.
A Courageous New Slime-tastic World
This much-anticipated sequel to the 2016 farming sim sport from indie studio Monomi Park continues the story as our protagonist, Beatrix “Bea” LeBeau, heads off to Rainbow Island for a model new journey and extra slimes to wrangle! Whereas the journey that introduced her to this new location is considerably cloaked in thriller, equally intriguing are the secrets and techniques that Bea will uncover throughout her keep on Rainbow Island.
As talked about earlier, Slime Rancher 2 spent three years in Early Entry, permitting the developer to proceed creating the sport, hearken to neighborhood suggestions, and patch up much-needed fixes earlier than transport its 1.0 model to consoles and PCs. Now, prepared in its remaining jiggly type, gamers can lastly choose up the story of Bea as she units off to unknown territory with a brand new journey awaiting her on Rainbow Island!
A lot of what many liked about Slime Rancher is current in its sequel, like its gameplay loop of wrangling new squishing slimes, farming Plorts, exchanging them for forex, and upgrading Bea’s tech to discover the island additional. By the way in which, there are a number of new slimes, options, and many extra for brand new and returning gamers to wrangle with when leaping into Slime Rancher 2.
It is Plortin’ Time!
Let’s be trustworthy: one has by no means performed Slime Rancher, and to 1’s shock and horror, it is actually a great factor we obtained to expertise this sport by means of its sequel. On this open-world simulation sequel, Bea boards a mysterious boat that crosses the Slime Sea, escorting her to Rainbow Island, the place not solely will she encounter new and returning slimes and distinctive sources to gather, but in addition uncover historic know-how that she will be able to be taught and use to navigate her new environment.
From the get-go, gamers are given the choice to activate or off a number of gameplay settings to make their time and experiences on Rainbow Island smoother. The largest gameplay choice is relating to the Tarr and Feral Slimes spawning on the island, as these slimes are extremely hostile and is usually a nuisance to cope with when exploring, so for a extra cozy gameplay expertise, turning them off could be sensible.

Every new space on the Rainbow Island is generally simple to entry, with exceptions for the Powderfall Bluffs and the Gray Labyrinth, which have particular necessities wanted to unlock. It is doable for gamers to unlock them fairly simply; nevertheless, unlocking the Gray Labyrinth would require gamers to amass a specific gadget from a buddy and remedy some puzzles earlier than this space opens its doorways to Bea.
Upon arriving on Rainbow Island, Bea will achieve a brand new house, the Conservatory, the sequel’s counterpart to the Ranch from the primary sport, which serves because the central hub, boasting varied amenities to make use of to earn a residing as a Rancher. Whereas the sport would not adequately clarify how gamers can use these amenities, the Fabricator and the Refinery being such examples, it took till reaching Day 43 to determine methods to use them each.
The Refinery capabilities as a deposit for varied sources like Plorts and different helpful gadgets earlier than they can be utilized for crafting devices by way of the Fabricator, the latter permitting Bea to craft utilizing blueprints earlier than she will be able to equip and use them. Our picks for devices to prioritize first are the Useful resource Harvester, Jetpack, and the Tank Booster, which the harvester lets Bea purchase gadgets from nodes discovered all through the island, the Jetpack for simpler traversal, and the Tank Booster to hold and retailer extra sources in stock slots.
Exploration in Slime Rancher 2 is your greatest buddy, and understanding every space and its biome, and detailing what sources could be acquired, will go a great distance. It is value stating that for every day spent on Rainbow Island, gather as many sources as doable, particularly if Bea cannot place them within the Backyard to develop, as Bea might have them to feed varied Plorts, just like the Cuberries for the Phosphor Slime.

Your devices are equally necessary, too, particularly the Jetpack, which permits Bea to cowl larger distances and discover gadgets which can be tougher to achieve by leaping larger and gliding for a short time. The Jetpack might be an ideal gadget for exploration, however a drive should be discovered first, after which its improve should be bought earlier than crafting it on the Fabricator with the required sources and spending Newbucks.
The sport’s UI design is easy, clear, and really legible, which is pleasant to the attention, particularly since each sport ingredient, such because the stock slots, in-game prompts, and the Well being and Vitality meters, is clearly identifiable. Moreover, all gadgets held within the stock slots are clearly and largely displayed, which is a big UI enchancment and certainly user-friendly.
Slimed Out!
With large enhancements and overhauls to the sport’s visuals and UI designs, a enjoyable and comfy gameplay loop, and a brand new location to discover to 1’s content material, some sport elements do maintain the sport again from being an ideal sequel. Without having performed the unique sport and placing within the work and hours wrangling slimes and establishing the Ranch, the general story is much less compelling to comply with alongside.

It does closely depend on varied NPCs that Bea established connections with from the primary sport, and communication with these characters is restricted to video name messages. Their messages do not contribute a lot to the continued story, however equally disappointing is that these characters’ tales do not progress or develop within the sequel, and at instances, their look could be nonsensical or overbearing, however we love the presents they share with Bea.
Staying with acquainted NPCs that Bea reconnects with within the sequel, the sport would not introduce new characters for her to fulfill that would contribute one thing significant to her journey and exploration on Rainbow Island. This excludes the brand new Analysis Drones that present Bea with new lore for the brand new location that Bea can discover in most areas, excluding the Gray Labyrinth and the Slime Sea, besides, it takes some time for the lore drops to be paid off.
Whereas the sport’s story is not closely emphasised, the exploration is, as there’s a lot of the world that may be explored, and it would not want each gadget to advance to the following space. Nevertheless, whereas unlocking these new areas is gated by Gordo Slimes that Bea should feed to unblock the passages, it is reaching the endgame areas which can be restricted by particular necessities, and farming for these supplies could be fairly time-consuming and irritating.
This may take up a lot of gamers’ time finding the sources required and crafting particular devices to progress, earlier than discovering the hidden gates to unravel the door’s puzzles. Grinding for these sources makes Slime Rancher 2’s endgame really feel tedious and fewer thrilling, particularly for these wanting to achieve the sport’s finish and to see the large story/lore payoff, however for others who benefit from the exploration and ranching extra, this may not be a significant concern, as there’s loads of content material to take pleasure in till reaching these remaining moments.
Slime Rancher 2 Assessment | Last Ideas

Developer Monomi Park had the blueprint to construct Slime Rancher’s sequel, leaving room to create new, modern options and content material that may develop on what that they had first achieved with the unique sport. They did not want to alter a lot of the method, just like the gameplay loop, as lots of the enhancements noticed large overhauls to its visuals, because the environments really feel extra lush and vibrant, and the textures are exquisitely clear, particularly with extra biome varieties current in Slime Rancher 2.
All in all, what the developer got down to obtain with Slime Rancher 2 must be broadly praised for, because the huge adjustments to the sport’s visuals are completely beautiful and vibrant, from the vistas to the wiggly slimes we encounter. The enhancements to the UI are tremendously appreciated, and the range of biomes and areas makes exploration extraordinarily rewarding and thrilling, as no two areas really feel or look the identical, even when the gameplay loop could be repetitive for gamers.
The place the sport lacks is the chance to flesh out additional or develop the story, leaving a lot to be desired. Certain, we’ve got a few of our returning companions to assist Bea throughout her adventures on Rainbow Island, however at instances, they add or provide so little that it makes their presence really feel extra like fan service than one in all substance, and their interactions one thing that may be prevented when there’s a lot of the world and gameplay content material extra worthwhile to discover.
Slime Rancher 2 was reviewed on PC by way of Steam for 38 hours with a key offered by the writer. All screenshots have been taken through the course of the evaluation.