Translated by
Microsoft from Deutsch
Microsoft from Deutsch
ACTION: This Review will include Spoilers!
"Unconsciously you've been trying to think of it as someone else's problem, to get away from it. A lot of people do that ..."
Before I want to explain here why I consider this Game to be one of the best Games of all Time (Along with First Chapter), I'd like to point out Spoilers here. With 40-60 Hours of Play and a Lot of Storytwists and Character Establishment, it's unfortunately inevitable for me.
First of All, those Who didn't already like First Chapter won't like this Game here either. Basically, both Games are a Story in the pretty nasty Cliffhanger. However, I should also increase the second Part to anyone who has played First Chapter.
First of all, I want to make it clear that it contains exactly the same Positive Points as Chapter 1, although both Stories are built up relatively differently. While First Chapter was still trying to establish the Characters and the World they are in, we're already a little further along here. Unlike the first Part, the Story here is more Plot drives. This is not a bad thing, just different.
The Graphics and World are still mostly the same as in the first Part, but with small Improvements and Adjustments. You can come back to visit all the Areas and Places known in First Chapter. Chapters 1-6 are quite similar, and Pacing Is also similar (slow). Didn't particularly bother me now, but some People might get bored. These Chapters also slowly present the antagonist organization, its Values and Motives. The Protagonists are (with one Exception) still the same as in the first Part. In the Course of the first 5 Chapters mentioned above, an Antagonist is always presented, which can be seen as a direct Rival for one of the Protagonists. In the World you can still get lost, Landscapes and Cities are simply beautifully and credibly designed for a PSP game.
The most important thing, of course, is not the Story (who would have expected it), but the Interaction of the Characters with each other and the World set up for them. What is great is how the Game manages to add Depth to each Character over a Period of just under 100 Hours (First and Second Part). Every little Offpoint gets their Time to show their drive to their Actions, Preferences and Interests and to develop themselves. You just feel like you're dealing not with mere anime stereotypes, but with real People who are vulnerable, have feelings and Interests of their own, and also to have overcome their own Hurdles throughout history. They make their own Decisions, and each Decision helps more and more to understand the Character. Just made great!
Soundtechnically, not much has changed. There are some well-known Tracks from the first Part, but also new ones, also there are own Themes for the respective Antagonists. Above All, the combat music stays in the Ear and can also be heard super outside the Game.
Scope: The Game is gigantic. As the first PSP game that required two UMDs, because there was simply too little Space on one, and has more Text than a Lord of the Rings Book, I can only say: Falcom, Hats off! Especially since the Game came about in exactly two Years.
Finally, if you thought First Chapter was great, you have a Certain obligation to play the second Part as well, as it brings not only the Main Arc around Estelle and Joshua to a very nice Conclusion, but also the less important Characters Depth and Time to develop. (My Favorite: The Story of Mischa'S Death!).
Lg