Rengoku II: The Stairway to H.E.A.V.E.N.

 PSP
  • Publisher: Konami
  • Release Date: Sep 12, 2006
Metascore
51

Mixed or average reviews - based on 24 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1 out of 24
  2. Mixed: 14 out of 24
  3. Negative: 9 out of 24
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  1. GameBrink
    50
    It’s another short game in a terrible series that should have been axed at the first try but for some reason it’s back and will be terrorizing the USA later this year. My advice is to look the other way and never touch Rengoku 2 the Stairway to Hell. [JPN Import]
  2. Play Magazine
    75
    The whole game seems like an exercise in monotony; a battle-tech demo with refreshing character design. [Sept 2006, p.62]
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  3. PSM Magazine
    30
    Each stage is still full of repetitious androids to fight, and you still fight in nearly identical rooms and hallways. [Oct 2006, p.84]
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  5. Official U.S. Playstation Magazine
    20
    So this makes it officcial: The Rengoku series is stillborn. [Oct. 2006, p.92]
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  6. GamesRadar+
    30
    In the end, Stairway to H.E.A.V.E.N.'s gravest flaw is its beat-for-beat recreation of the original game's many problems. None of these issues are new, and they haven't been improved in any notable way since the first game.
  7. Electronic Gaming Monthly
    30
    The more time I spent with the game, the deeper I delved into its defects. [Oct. 2006, p.114]
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  8. IGN
    59
    Unfortunately, the game manages to duplicate just about every single problem that the first game had, from a weak storyline to an unbalanced combat system to unimpressive level designs.
  9. GameSpy
    70
    The game is fairly repetitive, not bothering to bring puzzles or anything non-combat into play at all, but this is the nature of the genre, really.
  10. Play UK
    74
    This is a consistently entertaining piece of fluff that sticks to an idea and doesn't stray too far from it. [Issue 144, p.96]
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  11. DailyGame
    60
    Generally not a terrible game, but it grows tedious all too quickly.
  12. GameZone
    55
    While Rengoku II has its few interesting moments, there isn’t much here that will keep you playing this one for very long.
  13. GameShark
    50
    The gameplay isn't necessarily flashy but it can be a lot of fun if you are attracted to mindless and seemingly endless combat.
  14. GameSpot
    64
    The game ultimately runs out of steam before it's over, but along the way, Rengoku II creates a more streamlined and interesting experience than its predecessor.
  15. eToychest
    50
    Delivers the absolute bare minimum of atmosphere and uninspiring, tedious gameplay. It’s not strictly bad; it’s just that nothing about it is good, either.
  16. Gamezilla!
    45
    Only marginally better then its predecessor and still suffers from many of the exact same flaws that made the first game so dismal.
  17. GameCritics
    70
    Rengoku is a tight, focused experience not aimed at the average gamer, but it carves out its own niche and fills it nicely. It's an acquired taste perhaps, but one that I definitely crave.
  18. PGNx Media
    70
    A dramatic improvement over its predecessor, although the gameplay is more repetitive than we would like to see.
  19. Digital Entertainment News
    50
    Why Hudson Soft and Konami decided to make a sequel to Rengoku is puzzling. Why they decided to make it just like the original, albeit a little better, is mind-boggling.
  20. Worth Playing
    35
    There just isn't a reason for Rengoku II: Stairway to Heaven to exist besides duping buyers into picking up a throwaway title, or, the most likely case, to get PS3 owners who've never played the PSP versions to pick up that game just because the franchise seems familiar somehow.
  21. GamingTrend
    54
    Rengoku II is incredibly repetitive. If the fighting was fun, this wouldn’t be an issue. If the game had an understandable story, it might be worth trying to progress through to the end. Instead, you’ll grow tired of Rengoku II rather quickly.
  22. Official Playstation 2 Magazine UK
    30
    A repetitive third-person action game. Dull combat and duller levels mean you should steer clear of this. [Christmas 2006, p.87]
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  23. Gaming Target
    38
    Calling this game a nice $30.00 coaster would be a compliment, as it would mean that you’d actually have to go into a store and buy it. Instead, avoid it like the plague and hope that it gets buried somewhere in a New Mexican Desert.
  24. GamerNode
    35
    Perhaps with better level design, Rengoku II could have been a contender, but as it stands right now the game fails to deliver the goods.
  25. VGPub
    69
    Konami still has a ways to go before its Rengoku series can be called respectable, but Stairway to H.E.A.V.E.N. is miles ahead of its predecessor. The visuals look better, environments look great, and the customization in the game is addictive. Should the combat improve in the inevitable third iteration, this will be a franchise worth checking out.

Awards & Rankings

31
#31 Most Discussed PSP Game of 2006

User Reviews

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User Score
7.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 16 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 16
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 16
  3. Negative: 2 out of 16
  1. SuperClaudio64
    Apr 21, 2023
    7
    Un gioco estremamente sottovalutato e dimenticato. Il gameplay di Rengoku è molto originale e sperimentale, e porta il giocatore a gestireUn gioco estremamente sottovalutato e dimenticato. Il gameplay di Rengoku è molto originale e sperimentale, e porta il giocatore a gestire ogni parte del corpo del protagonista equipaggiandolo con un enorme varietà di armi differenti che creano combo di ogni tipo. Rengoku 2 ha un gameplay divertente e particolare, l'unica pecca è la trama molto semplice e scarna.… Full Review »
  2. Ken_Kaniff
    Apr 18, 2019
    8
    This isn't the best looking game. The combat isn't perfect. The level design doesn't change too much. The story, while interesting, isn't thatThis isn't the best looking game. The combat isn't perfect. The level design doesn't change too much. The story, while interesting, isn't that great. And yet I had a really hard time putting this game down when I started playing it. The magic to this game's combat is the loot system where you collect the weapons, etc. of your enemies. The large variety of weapons keeps you wanting to experiment and the story is just enough to intrigue. If you like robot combat games like Custom Robo, you should give this game a try.… Full Review »
  3. Rennn
    Jun 27, 2013
    8
    This is not nearly as bad as some reviews indicate. It's a large improvement over the first one in every possible way, and although it doesn'tThis is not nearly as bad as some reviews indicate. It's a large improvement over the first one in every possible way, and although it doesn't offer a good story, it does deliver a lot of creative loot that's genuinely fun to use, and a lot of action. The art direction is above average, and the game is made to be played more than once, as it unlocks new content. I got this for $7, and I'm glad I didn't miss the chance to enjoy this game.… Full Review »
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