Keio Flying Squadron 2

"Obscure and intruiging."

If obscurity is listed in the Children's Illustrated Dictionary, then I'm sure there's a picture of Keio Flying Squadron 2 next to it. This game is far from widely known - despite it's predecessor being a fairly popular Mega CD classic. Released at at time when the PlayStation was rising and the future was 3D, you have to wonder what kind of apathetic maniac would release a 2D platformer on the Saturn. Well, JVC were those maniacs. But for the West it made little business sense, and subsequently this game never made it out of Europe and Japan.

Had it done so, then no, the Saturn wouldn't have lived. But a few traditional gamers may have been happier. Because Keio Flying Squadron 2 is a glimpse of magic. It doesn't change the videogame world, but it makes it brighter for existing.

STORYLINE: 5/10

Our heroine, Rami, lives with her parents in the quaint Japanese hills. A year after the "apocalypse" of the first game, Rami and her grandparents sit down to eat, only for a huge machine to explode through their floor, a mysterious Queen of the Ancients to steal their orb, a nuke to be dropped on their house and a raccoon in a flying ship to escape with their treasure. Such things can happen.

Discovering a fallen scroll, Rami is instructed to find the orb and its counterparts by her grandmother, which combined, reveal a great treasure. Beneath the showy insanity, the plot is very much the Collect and See standard of the genre. And so the journey begins.

GRAPHICS: 8/10

The Saturn was originally designed to be a 2D machine. And it shows. This is no Radiant Silvergun or Sillohuette Mirage, but the quality and clarity of the graphics keeps the PlayStation's efforts firmly in their place. Hand-rendered backgrounds often impress, and the use of colour is vibrant and striking at times. Rami herself is smoothly animated, though it must be said that other than the Bosses, who naturally possess many animations, the enemies you encounter will do little more than walk, or attack. Mention should be made of the excellent anime cutscenes integrated into the later stages. A professional animation studio was hired for these, and despite the Saturn's video shortcomings they are surprisingly long, and naturally entertaining.

SOUND: 8/10

Whilst it's instinct to associate cutesy platformers with tacky, wafer-thin soundchip tunes, it's easy to forget that this is a Saturn game, and so all the music is crisp, clear, and in stereo. That said, expect no licensed rock - KFS2 is a game aware of its roots and tunes are cheerful, catchy, melodic and upbeat. One certain underwater stage features a haunting, echoey keyboard track that suits the mood perfectly, which long ago found its place in my head.

Sound effects are also clear, though basic. Of most interest are the audio tracks of Rami that play between each chapter, there just to keep up the general humour of the game ("I might go to Ja-mai-caaa!"), but a nice touch worthy of an extra point. Boss voice acting is generally sub-par, though your main enemies, and all anime scenes, are well voiced.

GAMEPLAY: 9/10

Of course, this is where it's really at. Platformers are supposed to excel in this department, and Keio Flying Squadron 2 obeys the law that real games are all about gameplay, and that looking good is nothing if the fun doesn't match.

Thankfully, KFS2 does play well. Very well. From the standard, but well-executed running and jumping that incorporates speed with precision, to the zany, imaginative Boss battles, Keio has all the traits it needs to be an attractive gameplay experience. As well as the aforementioned jumping, Rami can weild three seperate weapons: Bow and Arrow, Hammer, and Umbrella. Many set-piece items can also be picked up and thrown at enemies, or may require to be used in a particular way to advance. Collectibles take the form of golden Rabbits and in typical platform style, reward you with an extra life at 100.

The flying stages that comprised the original are back; relegated to back seat, but still providing nice intervals to the platforming action. With the obligatory swimming stage and a surprise change of gameplay tack towards the end, there's rarely a dull moment and some healthy variation. And just to scold you for daring to think otherwise, someone decided to include a rollercoaster as well. Castle of Sonic 2 Indiana Jones Illusion, anyone?

OVERALL: 8/10

OK, so you're probably thinking you know this game from somewhere. Yes; you do. For yes, it IS every 16-bit game you've played rolled into one, but consider this a blessing; it's on a shiny CD, has quality graphics and sound, a quirky sense of humour and a topping of quaint Japanese personality. This game has charm. It isn't afraid of being old-fashioned. However, there are originalities: Depending on how well you play (ie. How many hits you give or take), points are awarded for your actions. These points can earn you artwork. These can be viewed from the main menu, and include Fanart, photographs and humour; a nice incentive to re-play.

Overall, this game is a worthy purchase for anyone who likes 2D games, platformers, or retro entertainment in general. It'll keep you amused and charm you with its wackiness, addict you with its gameplay, and serves as a fitting end to the simpler days of a simpler genre.

That's if you can track it down.

Reviewer's Score: 8/10, Originally Posted: 12/05/04