ARAGAMI 2 REVIEW
Reviewed on Playstation 5
I have read a couple of reviews from well known sites such as IGN, and they are pathetic! These journalists keep comparing indie games with AAA games, expecting a low budget game to be like Red Dead Redemption 2. Journos have lost it, that is why I do not buy a game based on reviews, I go and watch gameplay and if I like it, I grab it.
Do notARAGAMI 2 REVIEW
Reviewed on Playstation 5
I have read a couple of reviews from well known sites such as IGN, and they are pathetic! These journalists keep comparing indie games with AAA games, expecting a low budget game to be like Red Dead Redemption 2. Journos have lost it, that is why I do not buy a game based on reviews, I go and watch gameplay and if I like it, I grab it.
Do not fall into the stupid cycle of reading a review and thinking because a journo said the game is bad, then it is bad… this is an incredible Shinobi/Ninja experience. DO NOT MISS IT!
SETTING
I am a Shinobi/Ninja aficionado… Ghost of Tsushima, Sekiro, Shinobi, Ninja Gaiden… you name it. This game has interesting mechanics, and it allows the player how to approach your opponents. I will be comparing this game with other Shinobi/Ninja games, so you get my meaning… if you have not played those games before, go and watch gameplay videos in youtube to understand what I mean.
The game is not a direct continuation of the original, but rather like a side story… as an Aragami you are an agent of shadows and need to protect your home from an evil empire. Simple enough and as like with the first game, it suffices… these games are all about the gameplay, not story.
MECHANICS
• Stealth:
Core base mechanic is stealth, and if you have played stealth games before you know what this means: hiding all the time, either in rooftops, grass, covering behind walls… stalking your enemies and awaiting the perfect opportunity to launch a devastating attack and put their miserable lives down!
Many stealth games have repeated the same approach and there is something compelling about these types of games that keeps attracting players. Aragami 2 is faster than its predecessor and offers a very nice approach to stalk your enemies… crouch, double jump, slide, air-slide, hang onto ledges… and position yourself strategically to deliver your death blow… it is so satisfying, it never gets boring, it is cool! You will enjoy it… it is different than Sekiro’s and Ghost of Tsushima’s stealth killing mechanics, but it is indeed well done.
• Combat:
This is a new mechanic vs the original Aragami. You decide if you want to battle enemies, but they will surround you and you will die, a lot!
If you are discovered you can still run away, try to hide, and wait for the enemies to calm down to go back into stealth mode again… as it happens with other games of the genre.
Combat is relatively simple but to master it, it will take some time as enemies move slow, fast, they can slide, they can jump… it is not easy, and a few hits and you are done. Pressing the parry button at the right time is not simple, and as there is a stamina gauge you cannot just take a parry stance all the time as enemies will break your stance if you are not aggressive as well.
You need to dash back (which consume stamina as well!) and prepare strategically your approach, but seriously, you will die a lot in this game if you decide to go bravado on the enemies or if you fail to conceal yourself. This is NOT bad, but it can be frustrating (I mean, how many times did you die playing Sekiro, eh? Still awesome, right?)
• Exploration
Whilst you sneak around, take your time to seek for coins. It is a good approach as you explore around sneaking and slaying foes. Not too much to add, but you just do not go around killing. Scenarios will open new areas as your progress in the missions, so there is plenty to explore and sneak about!
VISUALS
As with the first game, the visuals are a la Zelda Wind Waker, like cell shades with HD resolution. It looks great, and I do not expect fully animated voice characters from a small company as Lince Works. However, let me tell you that the assassination visuals are incredible: running, crouching, jumping, hanging, etc, feels natural. The game looks and feels fine.
SOUND
Ambient music with the occasional Asian instrument in the background makes it for a nice approach in your stealth missions. Get discovered and the music will change. As with the original game, the music is good and you will get accustomed to it, it does not get boring
FINAL VERDICT:
My final Verdict is a solid 9.0 for the game.
This game looks and feels good, it is not a AAA game with amazing animations, cutscenes like a Hollywood blockbuster, or an Orchestrated soundtrack. I do not need games like that all the time, this is an amazing adventure, thank you Lince Works!
And you, gamer, do not heed stupid reviews like the one in IGN. If you are a Shinobi/Ninja fan, this is a must for your library (not many out there, by the way.) You will enjoy this game!… Expand
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