"Buzz the bullets, absorb their nutrients!"

Psyvariar 2 Ultimate Final is a vertical 2D shoot 'em up. Originally on Sega's Naomi arcade board, Psyvariar 2 finally hits Playstation 2. With a large variety of additions, one of the best vertical shooters gets even better.

Gameplay:
The pinnacle of every great shooter is gameplay; simple to learn, yet difficult to master. Psyvariar 2 is no exception. You start out Psyvariar 2's arcade mode by selecting one of two characters, Kei or Yuhei. Kei specializes in shooting and Yuhei specializes in buzzing. Kei will level up faster by shooting enemies and Yuhei will level up faster by buzzing bullets. The gimmick, buzzing, is where you graze your mech alongside oncoming bullets, chaining throughout a level into thousands of "buzz". The only way to break your chain of buzz is by dying. On the top right of the screen there is a gauge. When this gauge fills up, either by buzzing or shooting enemies, your mech will level up which grants you a second of invincibility and a burst of speed. Timing your level ups to break through a thick wall of bullets is exhilarating.

An addition to the PS2 version of the game is the "roll" button. When held, your mech will spin around. What this does is make your regular wide shot into a closer more concentrated shot. While rolling the speed of multiple buzz's increases. In the official arcade version of the game you have to wiggle the joystick to begin rolling. Using the roll button will make the game much easier for beginners; experts can easily turn it off. 10/10

Graphics:
Psyvariar 2 has 2D gameplay with 3D graphics, and it works well. The game looks very similar to other Naomi arcade titles such as Ikaruga, and in that aspect, the graphics are perfect. One thing about this game that is quite stunning is the great explosion effects. When I first saw the area one boss obliterate a city before your encounter with him, my jaw hit the floor. Very well done.

One thing you will notice when playing the game is the mesmerizing bullet patterns. I have never seen a shooter with more gorgeous bullet patterns than in Psyvariar 2. You could take a screenshot and have it framed as art, it's that good. Gladly, tate is available for use in this game. 10/10

Sound:
Psyvariar 2 has a soundtrack of piano intensive electronica. I'm not a fan of this type of music, but it fits the game very well. I have often found myself humming some of the games tunes during everyday life, very catchy stuff. I have to say, this is my favorite soundtrack from any shooter ever. Sometimes I'll pop the game in just to hear some of its amazing music, and I've never done that with any other game.

All of the traditional shooter sound effects are present and very well done in this game. From shooting, buzzing, to enemy ships exploding, I couldn't have asked for anything more. 10/10

Replay Value:
Arcade games like Psyvariar are very short, and Psyvariar 2 is one of the shortest. It will take about 15 minutes to beat the games 7 stages. Shooters are about replayability; about perfecting and beating your scores. That is one of the most fun and satisfying things about Psyvariar 2.

The PS2 version has a very welcomed addition of a practice mode, used to perfect your skills. If you are having trouble with a section of the game it is great inclusion to practice each area individually. Also added to the PS2 version of the game is an extra mission mode for added replay value. In it you perform such tasks such as achieving a certain amount of buzz on a predetermined section, or surviving for as long as possible without shooting, for example. With 20 missions to complete, the mission mode is a small but valued addition. 10/10

Final Score: 10/10

Pros
+Shoot 'em up gameplay perfection
+Graphics in shooters don't get much better than this
+One of the greatest soundtracks ever in a game
+Very addictive, you'll definitely come back for more
+The PS2 version is the best port you can get

Cons
-Very short length, even for a shooter

If you are looking for a 2D shoot 'em up for Playstation 2, I couldn't recommend Psyvariar 2 Ultimate Final any more. The game easily rivals other PS2 shooter greats like Espgaluda, Shikigami no Shiro, and DoDonPachi Daioujou. For fans of old school games this game is delicious. With the great buzz gameplay system, the visuals, audio, and gameplay meld into one of the best game experiences ever.

Reviewer's Score: 10/10, Originally Posted: 05/03/05, Updated 05/20/06