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A worthy sequel to Actraiser, but...

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 2 / 2
Date: August 08, 2002
Author: Amazon User

If you loved Actraiser, you should like Actraiser II. Don't get me wrong it is a terrific game in its own right, but Actraiser was a very hard act to follow. If you never played Actraiser it was really two games in one. There was the simulation part (ala Populous and/or SimCity), and the action part (a side scrolling hack and slash type game). You had to save the citys that you built from different monsters that threatened them. Both play aspects made for a unique game I haven't seen the likes of since.
Actraiser II kept the action part of the game and made it so much better, but ditched the simulation part. I remember people at the time this game came out were very upset about this and I still am when I think about it. Actraiser II could have been such a better game if they kept the simulation.

OK, now that I have gone on and on about what the game doesn't have, let me tell you about what it does have: You start the game with 20 HP, 3 sources of magic, and your full assortment of every type of magic to begin with, but nothing changes with your character throughout the entire game: sword, armor, etc. the only thing you can build up are sources of magic, and those reset whenever you leave the monster lair. I'll be honest this game is hard, even on the easy level. The hard level is almost impossible (you could wear out your sword swinging button). The game is worth it, with a nice story line, beautifully rendered backgrounds, and great music, this is a very good side scrolling hack and slash game. Your character (the Master) looks very cool, complete with a sword, a shield (that can deflect some attacks), and wings. Yes you can fly, well I would call it gliding down slowly.

In a game that doesn't give you any power ups or anything new to change your character, what is the motivation for playing it? The sheer sense of accomplishment of being that skilled at a game and being able to say you beat it on normal mode (which I have). Your skill must keep increasing as you play. Whenever I pick it up I cannot really get past the first level without a few tries. After getting back into it it gets much easier though.

Some secret extras that are cool about this game, like entering the code (in the password screen):
Xxxx Yyyy Zzzz

This brings you to a fight with Tarzana from the original Actraiser using your new Actraiser II character.

I would recomend this game to anyone who is very patient and who can master a game beyond anyone else they know.

oh man, the challenge, the CHALLENGE!

3 Rating: 3, Useful: 0 / 2
Date: January 05, 2006
Author: Amazon User

Yeah, the first thing I think when someone mentions this game is all the reviews I've seen online that mention the extreme challenge. I've heard, many many times, that the difficulty is the biggest reason this game is inferior to the first installment. Yeah, that might be true (ok, I won't deny it- it's COMPLETELY true!) but there are some nice things about it.

One, it's all about the action. The action levels in the previous ActRaiser were fantastic, and the ones in this game are nearly as good, probably. But then you quickly find out the difficulty has been turned up a few notches, and you wanna run away. I honestly haven't played this game that much. My dad's ex-girlfriend bought a Super NES one time, so me and her could go back and forth exchanging games, but the relationship between her and my dad was always kind of rocky, so not much exchanging occurred after all.

Anyway, she bought ActRaiser II as her first purchase, unaware that the challenge of the game was set on extremely hard (even on easy) and it would STAY that way throughout the game, making you want to go crazy (giving you a feeling of NOT feeling good at ALL about yourself after completing a level, because you'd know the next level would be JUST as hard, or even HARDER!) People who are able to go through this game without cheating, and defeat the final boss- you're the best! Actually, maybe if you practice one level over and over and finally beat it, you WOULD feel good about it. But then the next level comes along and SMACK, back down to getting your butt kicked again!

Hey, I wasn't aware of the challenge either, until I got the internet. HARD game here folks. HARD! Definitely not a good game to recommend to someone just learning to play video games! Also not a good game for someone who gives up easily (like me!)

I remember a certain theme song in this game that was incredibly warped the way it had a delicate and DARK, quiet melody. I think it was the main map screen (if there even is one- I can't remember the game very well). That was some damn intense music there, now. I also remember the backgrounds of the levels had a very pretty appearance, and the detail was wonderful, which is what we've come to expect from a system as fantastic as the Super NES.

As for the decision on the part of the game makers to remove the simulation part of the game: I don't have a problem with it. It's not that big of a deal, if you ask me. What drags the game down for me lies straight in the difficulty, and nothing else. A good challenge is a nice way to start the day, but darn, not THIS kind of challenge!

Well, the final verdict- if you want this game, go ahead and get it. I won't stop you. But remember: those reviewers on the internet speak the truth- this game is oh so -OH SO- challenging!

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