Hands-on: Evergrace 2

Evergrace 2, From Software's action-adventure game, returns a year after the release of the first installment. The second installment is also on the PlayStation2--it's actually a prequel that takes place during Yuterald's days as a youth (one of the main characters from the first game). The game is now based on a party system that consists of three members--a system in which you can control one while the other two remain under AI control. You can, however, switch between the three at any time using the L1 button. Each one has a different walking speed, as well as unique attacks and defenses. Joining Yuterald at the start of the game will be his comrade, Ryana, and an amnesiac young girl named Fillna. Others will fill out the party's roster of three in the later parts of the game, including warriors named Felk and Alftaein. The story begins with Yuterald, Ryana, and Fillna on a journey. They encounter Brathard, a magician, as well as a swordsman named Dummhortt, who attempts to kidnap a mysterious girl named Soca. The three are powerless against them, and Brathard casts a curse, which binds all three of their souls as one. This ties into the gameplay; despite the fact that you control all three characters individually, they'll all share a single health bar.

The basics of the game are similar to those of the first one, yet improvements have been made. First, an attack bar no longer exists, so you don't have to wait until it fills up to attack enemies for full damage. The controller now also effectively uses all four buttons. The circle button is used for the character's normal attack, while the triangle, square, and X buttons are mapped for "palmira" actions (or special attacks) and magic spells particular to each character. Different accessories allow you to perform a variety of palmira actions. When you trigger one, a magical crosshair appears, which allows you to perform them in chains. The palmira actions have limited use per character but can be replenished by attacking enemies. These can also be used during events, like using fire magic to melt the ice that's blocking a path. You can also use palmira gems--acquired through treasure chests, enemies, and so on--to make your weapons more powerful, or you can purchase new ones in stores. The "dress-up system" still plays a role in the game, during which store clerks evaluate your party's sense of style. One of the problems in the original still plagues the sequel, though--you don't gain much money for what you need to spend during the game. What makes matters worse is that you now have three characters instead of just one. However, the game has added a coliseum and training mode, which lets you take a break from the main story. The coliseum lets you fight against a series of enemies, and upon defeating everyone, its proprietor will reward you with rare items and weapons. And the training mode lets you practice your palmira chain combos. Furthermore, if you finish the game once, an "extra game" mode will be unlocked--though we won't say anything about it.

The sequel has enjoyed many graphical improvements upon the first. Now, more enemies are displayed on the screen at one time, and the environments are better produced. The water caverns, or the torch-lit ruins, for example, certainly make for environments much more dynamic than the first. The soundtrack follows the footsteps of the first with fruitful compositions that match the game's atmosphere. The camera angle still remains an issue, though, which hinders the gameplay at certain times.

The Evergrace series has definitely taken a few big steps forward, but some remaining issues to be resolved, it hasn't quite made the final stretch. Nevertheless, this is the sequel that fans have been waiting for, and it'll provide them with more of what they've come to enjoy.