Old-school JRPG with all the classical elements...was it fun though? Yes.
Onto the actual game, AR2 is pretty much the state-side otaku's (please excuse the weabootosity.) dream. It has all the classical appeal, plotline, artwork (different from graphics, mind you), music and the turn-based battle system. It's the kind of game shut-ins like me are looking for who've spent a majority of their time watching Tora Dora (If you get this annoyed feeling that someone else knows about your favourite anime, go get yourself stuffed). Still, AR2 shows that the PS2 ain't dead yet.
Graphics - 8/10
I've got mixed feelings about the graphics. I mean, one of the main reasons why I picked this game up was, well...uh...girls. Kuhuhuhu. Yes, feel free to turn away, you "real" people who're blind to the appeal of 2D maidens. Well, aside from that, yeah, the artwork is stunning. However, that is the problem. Every aspect of the game that isn't well, the game, is spectacular, but the game itself is pretty old school. Mind you, I love it, but it just doesn't seem to be taken advantage of the PS2's capabilities. However, before you turn away, you have to think, this is a JRPG afterall, so this is the style anyways. Anyways, aside from that, the cutscenes are really pretty (including those 3D introductory scenes for each town) and the menues + map is really cute. I say cute, even though I'm a guy, so think about it. The actual game, however, is not that bad. I mean, sure, it'd be cool to see this game on a PSP, but there's something about those old-school graphics that I just can't let go. However, there are frame-rate problems in the game (in laymen's term, lag). Sadly, these lags can get in the way, and even affects gameplay (which is real-time) and it takes away from the enjoyment.
Gameplay - 8/10
The gameplay is really cool, but a little bit predictable. You have random encounters, level up your characters, and hey, maybe try to do a fancy combo here and there (but watch out for those lags, they come at the stupidest of times- especially during defending). However, it's still pretty standard stuff. Even though I haven' played an AR game, I still knew what was coming. Standard, but still enjoyable. HOWEVER! I think this is the time to talk about the sub-play. The customizing/interaction aspect of the game. I swear, I think this game is like fueled on hard-core RPG shut-ins like me, because it is quite deep in terms of Reyvateil interaction. It incorporates a pseudo-dating sim like gamestyle that allows the player to further develop those pretty ladies (emphasis on pretty, I've almost punctured my TV a couple of times...with the broom stick that changes the volume?). And, let's face it, being shut-in all the time has made me thought that no one understands me, but if they did, they'd know that I'm quite the smooth-talker, perfect for dating-sims. It's also interesting that it actually affects the gameplay (and it's real noticeable) There's also a bunch of other ways to raise stats and it even has one of those gigantic synthesizing things that every body loves. However, if you ain't no RPG gamer I advise that you familiar yourself with more RPG games and perhaps the overall Japanese culture so nothing throws you off.
Sound - 9/10
The good ol' cream of the crop. Music heavily influences the game, so hey, music there shall be. My game came with the OST, so even though I haven't got too deep into the game yet, I've still listened to a couple of tracks and they make me smile. Smile like a little girl. The music is pretty good stuff, the classical orchestra for battles however, due to the setting of AR2, it's got a good techno vibe off of it too. Sure, it ain't REALLY hardcore-techno, but it's got that techno influence. The combination of these two styles IMO really bring out the game's context, the clash of villages with sci-fi that many Animes have. The VA...I'll be frank. I'm a purist, yes, I know, turn away, I'm ew. But yeah, the game has the option to use the Japanese voice acting, and, being the fan-boy I am, I turned it on. There aren't enough scenes in the game with voice acting to get bored of the voices, and they're all pretty solid and proffessional, not shallow and, well, lame. I did a little of the English voice too, and, of course, NIS did a good job there.
Storyline - 9/10
Alright. I've chosen to establish myself. I am a fanboy. So when a game like this comes along, I often pay attention to the storyline - really closely. With this kind of game it's pretty predictable. It's the classic futuristic society with poor outskirts style of setting, and let's face it, I love it. No matter how many Animes use this setting, I'll just never get bored of it. AR2 is no exception. The storyline is also classic, adventure with romance. The good ol' kind of adventure that makes one go "DON'T GIVE UP, BELIEVE IN YOURSELF, GURYAAAAA!" kind of thing and the romance is, as in most games, slightly develops and then there are moments where one man can't help but squeal like a girl who just saw their favourite couple from the O.C. kiss (not that I have experience in the latter, I have a sister to use as a point of reference.) Anyways, yeah, the storyline is a good hook, because it is a classic.
Overall, I have to say AR2 is a good old-fashioned JRPG, made for JRPG players. So yeah, this review may be a little biased, so you should probably think what kind of player you are before testing this game out. Still, I definitely give AR2 a thumbs up because of it's classical eleements, those rare JRPG elements we don't ever see and because I love the artwork.