Jade Cocoon 2 Preview
We have an exclusive look at the first playable build of the US version.
The original Jade Cocoon was a slick-looking RPG for the PSOne that was developer Genki's first foray into the genre. The game sported a distinctive visual style that featured the work of famed art director Katsuya Kondoh, detailed graphics, and an engaging monster-breeding system. The various elements worked well together to tell the story of Levant, a young Cocoon Master whose ability to capture forest creatures and tame them made him the only hope for the survival of his village. For the game's sequel, Jade Cocoon 2, Genki has set the story many years after the events in the original JC, retooled the gameplay, and refined the monster system. After spending some time with the first English build of the game we can say that the work is paying off, and Jade Cocoon 2 is shaping up quite nicely.
Picking up 100 years later from where the original JC left off, JC2 presents you with a new face: a young boy named Kahu whose infatuation with the Cocoon Masters have led him on a quest to become one. Unfortunately, times have changed and the adventures of Cocoon Masters such as Levant have drifted into legend. The game's modern-day Cocoon Masters are called Beast Hunters. The Beast Hunters are warriors who capture dangerous creatures and tame them. In spite of his dated goals, Kahu begins training as a Beast Hunter with the aid of Levant from the original game, who, in a refreshing bit of continuity for an RPG sequel these days, now appears to be immortal thanks to his days as a Cocoon Master.
The game's story initially appears to follow a rather basic route until a turn of bad luck finds Kahu cursed by an encounter with a fairy named Nico during his training. With his body now inhabited by a demonic version of himself, reflected by a newly sprouted spiky tail, Kahu's casual quest to become a Beast Hunter takes on a higher degree of urgency: If he cannot rid himself of the curse, he will die. Guided by Levant and assisted by Nico, Kahu intensifies his effort to become a Beast Hunter.
Those who played the original Jade Cocoon will notice some similarities to that game's structure, as JC2 blends it with quite a few new twists. The flow of the game is basically the same as JC: You will move between different locations in the main town, which serves as a hub area, by selecting your destination via a menu. In our exploration of the first few hours of the game we found six places to check out. The Lounge contains a bulletin board where you can sign up for jobs to earn more money and build up your reputation. Kikinak and Co. is a shop area where you can buy, sell, or store items.
Jade Cocoon 2 Quick Links
Summary | Reviews | News | Previews & Features | Images | Videos | Answers | Hints & Cheats | Forum | Check Prices
Games you may like…
-
Okage: Shadow King
(PS2) -
Arc the Lad: Twilight
(PS2) -
Growlanser Generations
(PS2) -
Breath of Fire: Dragon Quarter
(PS2) -
Wizardry: Tale of the Forsaken Land
(PS2)
Users who looked at content for this game also looked at these games.
See More Similar Games
1 Comments