Searching for BIG FX,almost completely destroyable Levels and a unique mystical-ghostly atmosphere? You found the
+Great Effects
+Almost completely destroyable Levels
+Interesting Bossfights
+Awesome,unique Atmosphere
+Good balanced Characters
+Good game-lengh
+Interestting Challenges
+New game+
+Good hidden Items
+ IMO a bit easier then the 1st Otogi
+English and Japanese language selectable
The Bad:
-Strange Energy-Bar (...)
First off,I liked the first,but after I played a Demo of Otogi 2 and I was a bit confused and didn´t thought about the Title for a while.After I got a boring day I rented it.I was near to let out one of the best XBox-Titles!
I feared that the new Characters don´t really fit in the Game,but all got their ups and downs which are really useful from time to time.That´s a thing that doesnt happen often.
You could call the Game somehow a "Symphony of Destruction",because you can destroy most parts of every level.After you finished a level you can save it and replay the level with the destruction you left it.So you can save all Souls that are hidden in the area(in trees,stones,walls,...).
You need that because your lifetime depends on the Magic you got,which actually decrases all the time.It works a bit like a time-limit ,which gets bigger if you get stronger.
So it´s a good idea to finish it fast at the first time and replay it,maybe a bit later.I personally hate time-limits,but after you´re a bit in it you see it´s not that big problem.At least there Items to fill it up.
The Graphics just look awesome.The Style fits just perfect!The Textures are made well and the Game runs smooth nearly all the time.Nearly means if you destroy 5 Enemys and 3 Walls at the same time and the Screen is full of Explosions the Framerate is dropping a bit.Or if you do a over 2000(!) Hit-combo,because the Screen is full of enemys and you throw 5 Enemys into 20 other.And even then it don´tz really affect the Gameplay.
The Sound is a bit strange,but perfectly fits in the ghostly overall atmosphere of the Game.The DD5.1-use is ok too.
So....:
If you liked the first Otogi,you will love the second!
The difficulty decrased a bit and almost everything has improved.That´s what I expect from a sequel!
If you never played the first and you got something left for games with a mystical-ghostly atmosphere and destruction you found the right Game.
At least rent it,because this is a real must-have for all Action-Fans!