Alundra 2

"There is no real reason why this title should exist."

Alundra 2

Seldom games exert such blatant marketing skills that prove to come before value, content and the utmost vital gameplay. In between that statement resides Alundra 2, the sequel to the groundbreaking action RPG Alundra that was hailed as the Playstations' answer to it's usuallly flagging rival N64's Zelda. It's hard to judge whether Alundra 2 has shred the components of not only it's suitable sequel but the criteria of the word RPG in general. Whatever the case, the quality is outmatched by a desperate attempt to turn Alundra into the vast market of arising RPG sagas - and the gamers who buy into this are left in dismay over the tedium quality that could have been prevented if it weren't for company greediness.

Oh yeah, Alundra won't be entering the 'saga' line anytime soon.

In this tale, you take the role of the flame haired Flint who won't be your counterpart to the meek, whimsical, lively and cynical heroes that have taken centre stage in RPG's. His parents were murdered by pirates and now a price has been laid on his anime head. Meeting and bonding in the unlikliest way with a stubborn and obnoxious princess by the name of Ruby and battling the weasle pirates to encountering the typically evil sorceror Mephisto, Alundra 2 is a tale of cliches but with humour that works well in places but becomes overdone in others. For example, maybe if the prequel wasn't so serious, the concept of Mephisto inserting clockwork keys into people to transform them into slave killing machines would be marginally amusing - but it isn't as it stands.

The mood of this story is entirely different to the 'dream stealing' that occurred in the last game. In some points you think it's neccessary to applaud Alundra 2 for any smiles they derive out of you until you realise that the whole concept is reflected upon the RPG beginner's guide. Rogue hero, princess heroine/love interest, evil sorceror with meglomaniac intentions are just things that have gradually become the kind of thing that makes gamers tetchy. Artwork and graphics have also changed but the real strange thing is that there is no reference to Alundra whatsoever. The name has disappeared and the story doesn't inform why (not that it should by calling the game 'Alundra' or anything mind you). The credibility that the prequel had fails to be transferred into the gameplay in this sequel that is hampered with meaningless minigames.

There are two things to be frank about the gameplay. One is the only reference to Alundra by remaining as an action RPG (good thing) and that it repulses mostly what an RPG is to conform to a platform feel (bad thing). Given a sword, you're goal to slash things. Hey, you're even allowed to use a splash of magic. And that's it for battle innovation folks! Alundra 2 is by no means exciting as it's predecessor was in it's gameplay. Alundra 2 is also further tarnished by terrible controls leaving poor Flint to execute unwanted moves in combat and in return having the living daylights lamped out of him. That's not the worst scenario because you'll find that poor Flint will his have his polygon animated head knocked around a lot due to the difficulty of the game that is marred with difficulty levels that are unfair. The easy mode has a paltry challenge while the normal setting seems to immortalise the damage the enemies can cause to Flint. Even the minigames (that aren't even worth mentioning) are a complete waste of time. If anything, Alundra's downfall in it's miserable gameplay is duly responsible for it's lack of originality or anything inventive. In fact, most sequels have problems exceeding the prequel's innovations but Alundra goes back to roots that were introduced in the very early days of Zelda and does not do much else to convince anyone.

In a brave move to possibly rival that of the recent Final Fantasy titles, Alundra 2 takes on a full 3D front, and sadly, it's another bad move from the developers. Fans of Alundra will be at more a loss to lose their maybe not so unique, but at least functional and beautiful 2D sprites and pixels that complimented the original Alundra so well. However, without the conversion, Alundra 2 would have attracted criticism alone that it did not try anything new and how it didn't compare to newer titles and blah. Detract any sympathy because the polygons prove no smooth replacement. Instead of sleek polish we are given blocky glitches, clippings and rough edges in character designs and the environments that consist of distorted or unpolished textures. The colour is also almost too cartoonish. Overall, if Alundra 2 had kept a graphical significance to the prequel with a few minor touches in texture, the game wouldn't have been so hideous looking most of the time.

Musically, Alundra starts to pick up the shattered pieces until after you've becomed deflated by the gameplay and start to actually concentrate on what you're listening to; familliar music? Don't be suprised if you think you hear ornamented sounds from Nobuo Uemtasu and Yasunori Matsuda and many other tracks from other games. Imitation is the highest form of flattery perhaps as the music of Alundra 2 doesn't sound too bad, trying it's best to support the floundering graphical works and overall dismal visual presentation. With the heist of voice acting being vastly implemented in games, Alundra 2 has a decent bash at it and comes out very stylish with the amusing script and the performances are spunky, enthiusiastic and save some of the grace for Alundra 2 - but the credit is honestly wasted on such a tedious title. Shame.

My only recommendation

If you enjoy a decent, and partially amusing story with a few highlight characters, then Alundra 2 will mildly exceed to some expectations. The story, backed up by voice acting, can be deviously and endearingly entertaining and especially to those of a younger age. It is a waste that it is married to such a boring gameplay premise and if the price isn't right then the story isn't even worth playing for. But RPG gamers are suckers for a good story, and if the price is right, then by all means, enjoy. Oh, immature kids will appreciate the flaws so it may be susceptible of a good hand me down present after you've tired of being frustrated by it.

It's really upsetting and confusing as to why Alundra 2 failed considering the makers of Wild Arms and Legend Of Legaia had executive rights to the game. From here on, Alundra's potential is now in contempt. What could have been a future acclaimed action RPG saga has become nothing more than a one hit wonder. If there is any room for another sequel in today's market, it has to be pretty special to forget this mess. Though with poor sales even in Japan, the future's not orange, but pitch black. Alundra 2 uses the term sequel very lightly (it actually doesn't have a claim to exist if you think about this) and in doing so, it doesn't set out to accomplish the task of surpassing the prequel or even cutting it as a stylish or inventive game in general. What is the inspiration for Alundra 2 exactly when not even the name is mentioned in the game? Sequels are usually made to be better than the last or to be an original concept that many will love. Alundra 2 is neither. What it is, is a poor game that transcends back into the early days of the nineties where it would have been acceptable among the likes of Zelda - and it still would have been much more worse. Fans of the original game and those curious wouldn't be missing much by ignoring Alundra 2.

Reviewer's Score: 4/10, Originally Posted: 11/02/04