Tobal 2

"One of the greatest games ever!"

Gamers in the United States have often received the short end of the stick when it comes to games which are chosen for publication here. Sure, we get out share of good games, but there are plenty of classics which we will never get to play, unless you want to join the import scene (which I recommend). Square made a huge mistake when they decided not to bring Tobal 2 to America. Tobal No. 1 was a marginal success and a good game, but the sequel surpasses it easily in every category. Tobal 2 is one of the top five games ever and is the best fighter ever, period.

Graphics:
Graphics in Tobal 2 are really pushing the Playstation to its limits. Backgrounds are colorful and highly detailed, and the characters are superb. Character designs were done by Akira Toriyama, famous for his work on Dragonball, Dragon Quest (Dragon Warrior in the U.S.), and Chrono Trigger. The characters here are very unique and well-detailed. Everything here is smooth and runs at a rock-solid 60 FPS. The animation for the moves is excellent. There are other games which may look more realistic, but I still prefer the style of Tobal 2 over all others. Simply, it doesn't get any better than this.

Score: 10/10

Sound:
Sound is not necessarily the high point here, but it is very good. All the attacks, grunts, groans, and so forth of the fighters are well-represented. The soundtrack is also very nice and is pleasant to listen to.

Score: 10/10

Gameplay:
Tobal 2 just completely destroys every other fighter here. The control scheme is very intuitive and silky-smooth. The only thing to get used to is having the jump button on the L1 button. It probably takes about five minutes to get used to the controls. Combos require precise timing, but are easy to learn and eventually become second-nature. The gameplay here is just plain FUN! In addition to the normal arcade, vs., and training modes found in most fighters, Tobal 2 includes a quest mode. In this mode, you will embark on an RPG-like adventure, fighting bosses and other enemies. After you beat that mode, you will have 200 fighters available for play in other modes. That's right, 200. This massive mode almost makes this one two games in one. Characters also have plenty of unique moves. All in all, it makes for a package which is impossible for any other fighter to beat.

Score: 10/10

Replayability:
Are you kidding? Fighting games usually have high replay value, but Tobal 2 has it through the roof. After you have unlocked all those characters, you will want to master all of them, or at least try. Be prepared to spend a ton of hours playing this game.

Score: 10/10

Overall:
Tobal 2 is just an incredible experience. It's very sad that Square decided not to bring it to the United States. If you have even the slightest interest in fighting games, you should rush out and buy this one. You may have to pay quite a bit for a copy, but with all of the hours of gameplay you will put into it, it is very worth it. This game is one that everyone with a pulse should experience. Dream Factory and Square created the definitive fighting game. There is so much innovation and superior gameplay here that it will make you want to weep with joy. Get a copy now, before they become impossible to find. It's rare when a game gets everything right.

Overall score (not an average): 10/10

Reviewer's Score: 10/10, Originally Posted: 09/07/02, Updated 09/07/02