DW:G2 is an improvement over the first, but these improvements are rather halfsteps but there enough for a good game.
In the original we got a limited roster of Gundam franchises that went through several series, some that have never seen the light of day in the united states telivision. We got an orignal, if not inspired story for the original mode and a cast of characters that after enough hours, we got to know very well (like them or not).
That was then.
We now have a major increased roster, and fans will be first to crticise the choice of characters and or suits. The Seed series in particular gets a spotlight of its own while other shows get no expansion at all.
There are several modes; Online, versus, Official, and Mission mode.
Online is a new feature to the series. Sadly it isnt as engaging as one would hope. The modes are there but they just dont capture any epic scale as some battles might.
Official follows the exploits and selected adventures of certain officers. Upon selecting them, you are given timeline events to read and missions. The good is that the cutscenes can be pretty fun sometimes. Sadly, the missions lack the epic scale of battle, Ei. Gryps battle in this game lacks the epic final battle feel of the first.
Also the space opera stuff gundam is known for just lacks impact in the game. Another critic is that despite winning a battle, it goes through events that depict characters u shot down, killing someone, or just merely mentioning they killed someone despite just acknowledging they retreated. It feels less like a realtime battlefield and more like "going through the motions."
That being said Official Mode is alot more deeper then in the previous installment.
Mission mode...this is where the game shines. The first thing you may notice is the characters you can select. Sadly it wont be as big as you would expect but trust me when I say it will expand.
Upon selecting a character you will go to an interface. One negative is the menu is completely bland looking. With options such as Terminal, Mobile Lab, and Missions, you would think they could spend a minute for some fun backgrounds or presentation.
Now Terminal is how you check any incoming messages. Mission is how you select your mode, and Mobile Lab is where you collect requested parts and they soup them up for you.
In the terminal you will get requests and messages that will lead to some story missions and you get to have a story arch, interact with characters and see where it leads to. At first this can appear fun. Unfortunately you will find out that they are kind of half done and simplistic. But they can still be fun.
After that you will get offers to join a selected side. The drawback are that actualy joining these factions just leads you to a small number of plotless missions. And when you join these factions, you dont get the real feel that you are actually a member of a force but rather contracted to a pilots side.
There is also a relationship system. If you fight alongside someone, especially if they surive and or you directly help them, your relationship will go up. If you fight against someone, there is a small chance that relationship will go down, it will moe then likely go down if you are able to shoot them down.
Sadly the friendship system has no real impact on any mission. However it can lead into a duel. Make an enemy have utter contempt for you and you will have the chance to challenge him and a randomized army with the enemy pilot as the boss. Sadly this also has no impact on latter mission but it is fun having a pilot email you telling you how much they hate you and then you sticking it to them.
The good is the gameplay, the missions and the seemingly never ending variety to soup ou both your pilot, and your suits. You will find that you will make friends and enemies easily and kinda enjoy playing with other pilots in hopes of gaining ones favor, and feel at odds being forced to fight a friend in a latter mission. And they will comment on how they feel "I dont want to fight you, am I feeling sympathetic?" (or something like that) or they will contemplate how much they want to kill you.
Having three kinds of Mosou attacks, while odd at first, grows on you. The attacks are now mixed up enough that going through a level feels even less like a chore. You can literally chain combos together. Once again each mobile suit feels different to play, Sadly fighting them all feels the same. There is no extra joy shooting down a Seed ship compared to a pilot with a Burning Gundam.
Also, you can always make your ship and pilot stronger, and you feel the strength.
It is also easier to make another ship just as strong thanks to the pilot level (you dont have to replay the entire game just to get one ship at full strength). All you need to do is get the right parts for the ship, beat enough levels and it will be uber in no time.
Problem is "Licsense" misions do not feel like you are proving your ability to earn a mobile suit, but it still makes getting a suit that much sweater.
The feeling that the game can go on as long as you want may make it hard to switch to another pilot, also with some of the rewards gained, it makes some missions semi unpredictable wich keeps them fresh.
This is the most addicting DW game I have played next to the Empires series.
Pros:
Small change in gameplay
More content and pilots
Expansive mission mode
Graphics
Each suit feels different
Addicting
Mobile Armors
Cons:
Repetitive
Official mode doesnt offer too much
Bland presentation on mission setup.
Some battles dont feel as epic as they should be
Dark Gundam (Fight it and you will know what I mean)
AI allies still have no impact on the flow of battle
Every addition has a con.
Overall I would give this an 8, I actually give this game a 7.8 but GS wont let me. Again, I would give this an 8, but every plus has a con and falls short on enough levels not to warrant an 8.
But Dynasty Warriors fans will love this game and is for the most part, better then the first game in every way. This game proves that if done right, the series has the potential to churn out some epic sequals.