Dai-2-Ji Super Robot Taisen Alpha

"Enter: Dai-Ni-Ji Super Robot Taisen Alpha"

BANPRESTO cooks up something new by giving us: SUPER ROBOT TAISEN ALPHA 2 for the PlayStation 2.

The Graphics: 10/10

BANPRESTO still holds true by giving the gamer top-notch quality graphics using the PS2 consoles' power. The attack animations are much smoother than SRW Impact, giving the gamer that more than anime-like feel to it while actually playing. Map environments are even more detailed as well as the mechas on the map. All the FMV sequences are also breath-taking especially the transformation sequence of Daimos.

The ‘Death Moves' of all the characters are looking much better in detail although I'm a little disappointed at some of the other pilots' lack of FF (Full Form) animations in their ‘Death Moves' most specifically the Gundam Wing Boys.

But still it doesn't hurt the ratings in the graphics department though so I give it 10/10. She-bang.

The Sound: 10/10

Again BANPRESTO sticks to tradition by providing the gamers with very well made Voice Acting of the Seiyuus (Voice Actors or Actresses), brilliant sound effects and astounding BGMs. The battle cries truly give the gamer added satisfaction while giving the enemy the highest form of pain/Finishing Move. The profile section of the pilots, aside from the info about the pilot, now also provide more than just info, you can hear some of the famous battle cries of the pilots and some even shout out their Finishing Moves! Holy Toledo!

The reason I gave the sound department a 10/10 is that, I can alter Daimos' theme: either the instrumental version of the opening theme of the anime or the transformation sequence theme, which makes kicking enemy butt more fun. Frankly the latter sounds much better. Yapoo!

The Gameplay: 10/10

Just like in the past Super Robot Wars game you still do the attack, defend or evade when the enemy attacks, you still earn AP or Skill Points to determine what level your next enemy will be like and the areas on the map can still provide added evasion or EN (energy) or HP (hit points) regeneration. You still upgrade your Mechas using currency (Supers or Reals). You still also use SP (spells) to power up your character or allies or power down your enemy with your SP. The Support Attacks (using ordinary or ‘Death Moves' at the same time) from previous SRW IMPACT gameplay is still an available asset as well as the famous Combination Attacks (actual ‘Death Moves' combination where there is a special cutscene featuring two or more robots) is here as well. Most especially the Combination Attacks of Yuu Isami's Yuu Brain and Hime Utsumiya's Hime Brain: Chakra Extension.

But the most noticeable in Super Robot Wars Alpha 2 is that you now are able to use PP (Pilot Points) to give your pilots stronger or add to an already strong pilot skill. This time also you get to assemble Squad/Platoon Formation which enables you to use all robots no matter how weak or strong they are. With Squad/Platoon Formations availability, imagine Kouji Kabuto's Mazinger Z leading the pack and Boz' Boz Borot and Sayaka Yumi's Diana Ace as backup's, on the map you can only see Mazinger Z but if you look closer there are three of them on the field.

By installing the new features without damaging the old, I give the Gameplay department a 10/10. Oh yeah!

The Story: 10/10

I won't spoil your fun: a bunch of ugly aliens VS the heroes who use their robots to defend what is good from the forces of evil. For the price of one you get to play 4 amazing stories of 4 different characters in this saga: 2 Super Robot Pilots & 2 Real Robot Pilots. Mondo dude!

Replayability Factor:

With Four different main characters to choose from the replayability factor is a definite high. You just gotta play them all and know all of their endings and as a bonus when you restart you gain money and PP (Pilot Points) on your next game. The many secret mechs that could be used and the unlocking of all those mecha and pilot data profiles to achieve 100% in case you didn't get all of them on the first try, also gives you some thing to work on. Super! Not only that but you can view the FMV's in the option section.

Buy or Rent?

If you don't understand the Japanese language and you don't know or don't wanna know about Super or Real robots, then rent this game. But if you're an Otaku of the highest caliber and wants to know more about Super or Real Robots then all I can say is…BUY THIS GAME!!!

Reviewer's Score: 10/10, Originally Posted: 03/15/06, Updated 03/28/06