Splitgate 2 marks the return of the refreshing portal-based arena shooter, now with added classes that add helpful abilities to the already tight and fast-paced gameplay. Developer 1047 Games created the original title by combining the multiplayer it loved in games like Halo with the brilliant traversal mechanic from Valve’s revolutionary puzzle-shooter Portal. Now, its upgraded sequel takes cues from some of today’s best shooters to add more satisfying variations to its game mechanics.

When Splitgate first launched in 2019, it was released at a time when there was a wide selection of free-to-play shooters all vying for players’ attention, many of which have since shut down. However, Splitgate thrived by delivering quick and exciting matches with tight controls that allowed players to maneuver and shoot foes through portals strategically. After gaining a considerable player base and funding from investors, 1047 Games decided to stop upgrading the original game and focus on the sequel. And judging by Splitgate 2‘s Closed Alpha, it was the right choice.

Three Factions Add Spice To Splitgate 2’s Recipe For Fun

Like The First Game, Splitgate 2 Will Be Free-To-Play

After around a dozen short matches—possibly too short, with some lasting less than four minutes—with both Team Deathmatch and Capture The Point modes, it’s clear that 1047 Games has done more than add a two to the title. Splitgate 2 still features the frantic portal-hoping gameplay that attracted multiplayer shooter fans looking for something different, but it has added three distinct classes that each have their own customizable abilities.

Unlike the influx of monotonous hero shooters that often require players to learn how to control a dozen different characters to be effective teammates, Splitgate 2 introduces three factions: the agile Aeros, the time-manipulating and healing Meridian, and the shield-wielding Sabrask. While each is capable of using guns and portals, the distinct factions add another appealing layer to the Splitgate formula without making the sequel feel too complex compared to its first installment. The unique abilities available to each faction have short cooldowns but provide big advantages to teams that utilize them effectively.

During Splitgate 2‘s Closed Alpha, the Meridian was a personal favorite. Its loadout included a deployable Time Bubble that sped up teammates inside while slowing down enemies who dared to cross its threshold. Clever foes could use it to instantly slow down unaware opponents, setting them up to be easy shots. However, the Meridian could substitute the time-manipulating device for a pulsating healing grenade, a potential life-saving addition to the game’s intense 4v4 firefights. Meridian’s unique ability scans the arena and pinpoints the location of enemies for their entire team, and the Aero and Sabrask factions are no less capable.

The Aero class felt the most familiar for players who’ve played the first game, but its ability to recover with a healing stim and activate a surge of adrenaline to increase defense and mobility gives the class more options to get back into the action. Then there is the heavy-armor-wearing Sabrask, who favors sticky grenades, portal-destroying smoke grenades, and a helpful deployable shield that teammates can shoot through, but it does not block enemy portals, which can create an easy way to surprise enemies.

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Splitgate’s Weapons Have Received A Needed Upgrade

Gun Accessories Provide More Layers Of Gameplay Customization Without Feeling Overwhelming

Besides the three playable factions and their abilities, several other enhancements made Splitgate 2‘s Alpha feel like it’s already on a good track. Each class features its own versions of guns that shooter players would expect, such as shotguns, assault rifles, shotguns, pistols, and more. However, loadouts have the option to become more varied with easy-to-add accessories like red dot sights, extended barrels, and grips that can enhance gunplay to almost any player’s desire.

Additional perks can be added to loadouts for more flexibility to player builds, but it is recommended that the options be sifted through before matches begin because matches in Splitgate 2‘s Closed Alpha gave little to no time to adjust customizations between rounds. While loadouts can be changed and swapped during a battle, players are locked in with the faction they choose until the round ends. Team Deathmatch often included quick rounds lasting only a few minutes that tasked teams of four players to reach fifteen kills, and whichever won three out of five rounds was crowned the winning team.

The added abilities and expanded arsenal of weapons bestow more options for shooter fun, but Splitgate‘s bread and butter of rewarding portal-hoping gameplay mechanics remain in the sequel. However, instead of controlling the in and out portal placements with two separate buttons, Splitgate 2‘s improved mechanics intelligently guess which type of portal players want to use, removing the need to think about which one they need to place in the heat of battle. This worked flawlessly during the Closed Alpha matches, but veteran players can easily switch back to the default portal placement controls in the options.

A Sequel That Already Feels Like The Next Great Arena Shooter

Splitgate 2 Is Currently Set To Be Released In 2025

A specific release date for Splitgate 2‘s free-to-play, portal-hoping, guns-blazing multiplayer mayhem has yet to be announced. The first game was mighty generous with the number of playable opportunities for people to try it before its official release, but if Splitgate 2 is only going to improve from where it currently stands, the game seems primed to surpass the first entry in many ways.

Splitgate 2 will be releasing in 2025 on PC, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and PlayStation 5.