Kind of a surprise, isn't it? After the original developer Typhoon Studios was absorbed into the Google Stadia whirlwind and then spit back out as Raccoon Logic, most people thought Journey to the Savage Planet was a one-hit wonder. But it wasn't. Revenge of the Savage Planet gameplay is a real thing now, and honestly, it’s a lot weirder—and more ambitious—than its predecessor. If you spent any time kicking pufferbirds or listening to those unsettlingly upbeat corporate ads from Kindred Aerospace, you know the vibe. This time, however, the "Revenge" part isn't just a catchy title; it’s a literal shift in how you interact with the world.
The Big Switch: Third-Person Exploration
The first thing that hits you is the perspective. The original was a first-person shooter/platformer hybrid. It felt intimate, almost claustrophobic at times when you were stuck in a cave with a snapping meat-eater. Revenge of the Savage Planet gameplay moves the camera back into a third-person view. Why? Because the platforming has gone full "space-parkour."
Raccoon Logic decided that seeing your character—customized with all sorts of goofy gear—makes the world feel bigger. It changes the way you judge distances. When you’re jumping between floating islands on the planet DL-C1 (yes, the naming remains incredibly tongue-in-cheek), having that spatial awareness of your character's body makes the verticality feel less like a chore and more like a playground. It’s a bold move. Some fans might miss the "in-your-face" feeling of the first game, but after about twenty minutes of sprinting, it clicks.
Exploration is Less Linear Now
Remember how the first game was basically a series of gated biomes? You needed the jump jets to get here, or the acid resistance to go there. While those Metroidvania elements are still the backbone, the sequel feels way more open. You aren't just a corporate lackey anymore. You’re basically an unwanted squatter on a planet that really, really wants you dead.
The "revenge" aspect comes from the fact that Kindred Aerospace—your former employer and the "4th best interstellar exploration company"—has basically fired you and left you for dead. You’re scrappy. You’re stealing tech. You’re repurposing alien biological matter not because a suit told you to, but because you need to survive. This narrative shift makes the Revenge of the Savage Planet gameplay feel more proactive. You aren't checking off a list; you're breaking into places you shouldn't be.
Combat, Goo, and Gadgets
Let's talk about the combat. It’s messy. It’s chaotic. It’s exactly what you’d expect from a team that prides itself on "slapstick sci-fi."
✨ Don't miss: Minecraft Cool and Easy Houses: Why Most Players Build the Wrong Way
In the original, combat was often the weakest link. It was fine, but a bit floaty. In the sequel, the third-person camera allows for more "brawl-like" encounters. You still have your trusty (and frequently malfunctioning) pistol, but the focus has shifted toward using the environment. The "Goo" system has been overhauled significantly.
- Binding Bile: You can pin enemies to walls.
- Shock Fruit: Great for stunning those annoying flying pests.
- The Return of the Grob: Yes, the canned meat is back, and it's still the best way to distract the local fauna.
The enemy AI feels a bit more aggressive this time around. They don't just stand there waiting to be kicked into a meat-grinder plant. They flank. They use the verticality of the maps. It forces you to actually use your scanners and plan an approach rather than just running in guns blazing. Honestly, the difficulty curve is a bit steeper, which is a welcome change for anyone who found the first game a bit too breezy.
It’s All About the Loot (and the Satire)
The satirical edge is sharper here. Revenge of the Savage Planet gameplay leans heavily into the absurdity of consumer culture. Every time you craft a piece of gear, you’re bombarded with advertisements for products that shouldn't exist. It’s dark humor that serves a purpose.
The loot system isn't just "find a chest, get a gun." It’s "find a weird alien organ, bring it back to your shitty 3D printer, and hope it doesn't explode." There is a genuine sense of discovery because the world doesn't look like a standard sci-fi forest. It’s neon, it’s bulbous, and it’s frequently disgusting.
Alex Hutchinson and the team at Raccoon Logic have a very specific "anti-polish" philosophy. They want things to feel janky in a way that’s fun. Like a physics engine that occasionally goes haywire when you kick a creature into a geyser. That unpredictability is what makes the gameplay loop of exploring, gathering, and upgrading actually stick.
🔗 Read more: Thinking game streaming: Why watching people solve puzzles is actually taking over Twitch
Solo vs. Co-op: The Real Way to Play
You can play the whole thing solo. You probably shouldn't.
The game is designed for two-player co-op, and that’s where the mechanics really shine. One person can use the binding goo to trap a boss while the other player lobs explosive seeds at its glowing weak point. The third-person camera makes co-op feel much more natural than the first-person perspective did. You can actually see what your partner is doing without constantly asking "Where are you?" over the mic.
Technical Nuances and "The Raccoon Touch"
Raccoon Logic isn't a massive AAA studio with three thousand employees. They’re a tight-knit group, and it shows in the level design. There is a "density" to the world. Instead of huge, empty maps, you get compact zones packed with secrets.
- Scanning: The scanning mechanic is faster. No more standing still for five seconds while a bar fills up.
- Traversal: The grapple hook feels weightier. It has a real sense of momentum.
- Optimization: Even on mid-range rigs, the game holds up well because they went for a stylized art direction rather than hyper-realism.
One thing that people often overlook is the sound design. The squelching noises of the alien plants and the pathetic whimpers of the creatures you’re essentially bullying are top-tier. It adds to that "guilty pleasure" feeling of being a destructive force in a beautiful world.
Why This Sequel Matters Right Now
In an era of gaming where every open-world title feels like it’s trying to be a second job, Revenge of the Savage Planet gameplay is refreshingly disrespectful of your time in the best way. It doesn't want you to grind for 100 hours. It wants you to laugh, see something weird, and blow it up.
💡 You might also like: Why 4 in a row online 2 player Games Still Hook Us After 50 Years
There’s a specific kind of joy in a game that doesn't take itself seriously but takes its mechanics very seriously. The platforming is tight. The shooting is responsive. The jokes actually land. It’s a rare middle-ground between "indie experimentalism" and "AA production values."
Common Misconceptions
A lot of people think this is just an expansion. It isn't. It’s a ground-up sequel with a different engine feel and a completely new movement system. Another misconception is that the "revenge" refers to the aliens fighting back. Without spoiling too much, the revenge is much more personal—and much more corporate. You’re fighting the system that sent you there in the first place.
Actionable Steps for New Explorers
If you’re diving into the game this weekend, keep these points in mind to avoid getting stuck in the early-game grind:
- Prioritize the Scanner: Don't just kill everything you see. Scanning rewards you with lore and, more importantly, reveals the specific elemental weaknesses of the tougher predators.
- Focus on Mobility Upgrades First: Forget the weapon damage buffs for the first three hours. Get the double jump and the improved grapple as fast as possible. The map layout is designed to reward verticality, and you'll miss 40% of the hidden loot if you stay on the ground.
- Experiment with the "Charm" Mechanic: Not everything needs to die. Some creatures can be turned into allies or used as distractions if you use the right bait. It saves ammo and makes for hilarious emergent gameplay moments.
- Don't Ignore the Trash: The "junk" you find in Kindred crates isn't just flavor text. Almost everything can be broken down for the specific alloys needed for late-game suit upgrades.
- Watch the Ads: Seriously. The in-game commercials aren't just world-building; they often contain subtle hints about secret locations or how to use certain "unintended" features of your gadgets.
The world of Revenge of the Savage Planet is chaotic, colorful, and occasionally very mean to the player. But if you embrace the jank and the third-person shift, it’s easily one of the most creative sequels we’ve seen in years. Just remember: Kindred Aerospace doesn't care about you, so you shouldn't care about their equipment. Break everything. Explorers who play it safe end up as pufferbird food.