Building comparison
head to head
Risk of Rain ReturnsvsThe First Descendant
Neither is meaningfully harder - they pose close to the same test. The widest gap is reads, and it is a single point.
Risk of Rain Returns
Optimization · Practiced Mastery
Remake of the original Risk of Rain with new survivors and tighter action.
The First Descendant
Optimization · Practiced Mastery
A co-op third-person looter shooter where module build optimisation and drop variance define long-term progression.
Risk of Rain Returns leans Optimization (Practiced Mastery); The First Descendant leans Optimization (Practiced Mastery).
Risk of Rain ReturnsThe First Descendant
Axis by axis
Execution6 vs 6
Same score on execution - which means the number cannot separate them. The difference is in what each one asks of you.
Risk of Rain Returns
Platforming and aiming demand sharper inputs than original.
The First Descendant
Colossus boss fights and intercept missions require dodge timing and aim
Reads0 vs 1
The First Descendant leans a little harder on reads, though the gap is small.
Risk of Rain Returns
Scripted enemy behaviour throughout.
The First Descendant
PvE co-op throughout with no meaningful adaptive opponent
Variance6 vs 6
Same score on variance - which means the number cannot separate them. The difference is in what each one asks of you.
Risk of Rain Returns
Random item pool defines builds run to run.
The First Descendant
Module drop RNG and Descendant unlock rates drive the grind
Optimization7 vs 8
The First Descendant leans a little harder on optimization, though the gap is small.
Risk of Rain Returns
Survivor kits and routing reward optimization.
The First Descendant
Module builds and Descendant loadouts are extensively theory-crafted
A matching score does not mean a matching test. Two games can both sit at 10 on execution and demand completely different things of you - which is why the reasoning above matters more than the number beside it.