"Until next time, Son of Sparda"
I often think about how video game sequels were once seen as experiments as to how a developer could evolve a formula, shake up a series' identity or provoke the player into feeling a certain way about previous entries. There's a lot to consider when you make a video game sequel and it needs to be carefully and thoughtfully done in a way that ensures you have something solid on hand on release.
Capcom unfortunately didn't have access to DLC and Patches in 2003 though. And it shows.
The game is simply miserable, actively so. I can't think of a game that just ticks boxes more and still refuses to be fun than this one. The game's difficulty level is notably toned down compared to its predecessor, leading to a less rewarding and engaging experience. Combat, a hallmark of the series, feels repetitive and lacks the satisfying complexity seen in the original. The enemy AI is lackluster, and some boss fights are disappointingly straightforward, leaving me yearning for the intense battles that defined the first game.
However on a more positive note, the soundtrack, while not as memorable as the first game, still complements the action-packed gameplay with a mix of rock and electronic elements.
I often think about how video game sequels were once seen as experiments as to how a developer could evolve a formula, shake up a series' identity or provoke the player into feeling a certain way about previous entries. There's a lot to consider when you make a video game sequel and it needs to be carefully and thoughtfully done in a way that ensures you have something solid on hand on release.
Capcom unfortunately didn't have access to DLC and Patches in 2003 though. And it shows.
The game is simply miserable, actively so. I can't think of a game that just ticks boxes more and still refuses to be fun than this one. The game's difficulty level is notably toned down compared to its predecessor, leading to a less rewarding and engaging experience. Combat, a hallmark of the series, feels repetitive and lacks the satisfying complexity seen in the original. The enemy AI is lackluster, and some boss fights are disappointingly straightforward, leaving me yearning for the intense battles that defined the first game.
However on a more positive note, the soundtrack, while not as memorable as the first game, still complements the action-packed gameplay with a mix of rock and electronic elements.