Bloody Roar II

Last years sleeper-hit fighting game, Bloody Roar, was released by Hudson in Japan, and Sony subsequently snapped it up for a U.S. debut. This year, Sony will repeat that magic by releasing Bloody Roar II, a far superior and much improved game.

THEY'LL NEVER BE BEASTS OF BOREDOM

On the one hand, Bloody Roar II continues the one-on-one fighting style of the original, featuring human players that morph into ass-kicking animals during a match. You still have your choice of some of the best fighters of Roar along with the addition of a bat, leopard, chameleon, insect, and half-beast. The boar, fox, and gorilla from the first game are gone.

On the other hand, Bloody Roar II improves on the original, using much smoother and more realistic graphics. Special moves look snappier, the combos are slicker, and the backgrounds are eye-catching without being distracting. The game also moves at a speedier clip, so combos and morph moves occur in the blink of an eye.

The Rave move of the first game, which sped up your fighters moves and made it harder for an opponent to get a punch in, has been removed. Bloody Roar II now has a Super combo that drains all of your Beast meter (which fills up according to your attack/damage ratio), but it's relatively easy to defend against The game is now more about quick-hit combos and counter attacks, and less about who can take more hits (as it was before in the original Bloody Roar).

Animal Bone Crackers

All the bone-cracking sound of the original is present here. Indeed, the sequel roars with sound, from the growl of the tiger to the howl of the wolf. If you don't like cutesy Japanese voices, however, steer clear of Jenny the Bat.

Controlling the characters is simple and effective. Using the button-tap style of Tekken 3, you'll find yourself learning the quick-combo system easily. Throws, counters, and air juggles round out the game and add depth.

Fangs For The Memories

If you liked the original, you'll love the sequel. Also, if you're a fan of the Tekken series and can't wait for Tekken 4, go out and purchase Bloody Roar II right now. This zoo crew of fighters create one of the best fighting games available this season--a welcome addition to any fighters library.

Graphics

The visuals are an improvement on the original--in fact, you'll find the blitzkrieg action almost too much for the eyes. Nice moves and cool backgrounds also lend a hand.

Sound

Although you'll wince when you hear Jenny the Bat yell, all the jungle sounds are crystal clear. During matches, die music is somehow a full-metal racket and subde at the same dme.

Control

You'll probably practice against a weaker friend a lot to get the controls down because, regrettably, the game has no practice mode. But after that, you'll be roaring with pride.

Fun Factor

Better than a lot of wannabes, this game is a great fighter to sharpen your fangs on--especially for newbies who can't grasp the complex combo systems of other games. Bloody Roar II is one of the best fighting games available.

Bloody Roar II developed for the PlayStation in 1999 by Eighting and Raizing, takes players into a world of zoanthropes, humans with the ability to transform into powerful animal forms. With an expanded character roster, improved artwork, and a mix of 2D and 3D gameplay, Bloody Roar II seeks to captivate fighting game enthusiasts. This review delves into the game's strengths, weaknesses, and overall experience, comparing it to its contemporaries.

About the game

Bloody Roar II builds upon its predecessor by introducing six new characters alongside the four original ones. This expanded roster brings a variety of fighting styles and strategies, making each character feel unique. Moreover, the game's artwork represents a notable improvement, boasting the best visuals in the series. The attention to detail and designs of the characters enhance the overall visual experience, providing a more polished and appealing aesthetic compared to the first game.

The game offers a Story Mode that attempts to develop the characters and their motivations. However, the execution falls short due to an excessive reliance on text-based storytelling and still images. The plot itself, while attempting to add depth, can be perceived as laughable, lacking the excitement and cohesiveness of other well-known fighting game narratives of its time. Additionally, some characters may come across as eccentric and harder to connect with compared to their counterparts in other prominent fighting games.

Gameplay: A Simplistic Blend of 2D and 3D Elements:

Bloody Roar II retains the gameplay mechanics of its predecessor, blending 2D and 3D elements to create an accessible experience. The highlight of the gameplay lies in utilizing each character's "Beast Form," which enhances their abilities and unlocks special moves. However, the game's responsiveness falls short when compared to other fighters released during the same era. The combo system, although offering moments of excitement, lacks the depth and intricacies that would satisfy competitive players. Nonetheless, the vast array of strings and special moves provides sufficient content for casual players seeking entertainment.

When comparing Bloody Roar II to Tekken, it becomes clear that Tekken offered a deeper and more technical fighting game experience. Tekken's precise controls, complex combo system, and rich character development set it apart from the accessible yet less substantial gameplay of Bloody Roar II. Additionally, Tekken's realistic 3D graphics and diverse roster of memorable fighters surpassed Bloody Roar II's somewhat dated visuals and less developed characters. Ultimately, Tekken emerged as the more compelling and enduring fighting game franchise of the two.

Final Verdict: 7/10

Bloody Roar II: The New Breed presents an improved and diverse roster of characters with enhanced artwork, providing an aesthetically pleasing experience. However, the game falls short in storytelling, relying on text-based exposition and unexciting visuals. The gameplay, while accessible for casual players, lacks the depth and responsiveness necessary to satisfy competitive enthusiasts.

Pros:

• Expanded Roster: A diverse selection of characters with unique playstyles
• Improved Artwork: Visually appealing designs and attention to detail
• Accessible Gameplay: Simple mechanics cater to casual players
• Engaging Movesets: Abundant moves and combos to explore

Cons:

• Lackluster Storytelling: Text-heavy narrative with unexciting still images
• Eccentric Characters: Some may find it challenging to connect with certain character designs
• Limited Depth: Gameplay lacks the responsiveness and complexity of other fighters
• Outdated Graphics and Sound: Dated visuals and average sound effects and music

If gaming in the nineties is synonymous with one thing, it is arguably couch co-op gaming. This era was the pinnacle for this phenomenon with racing games, sports games and fighting games all offering a compelling way to pummel your pals. The most competitive market of those mentioned was easily fighting games, with tonnes of fighters vying to be the household names on everyone’s lips and fresh off the back of a successful first outing, Bloody Roar 2 stepped up to plate hoping to cement this series as fighting game royalty.

This game plays like it’s predecessor Bloody Roar. However, looking outside the series, this game also plays like Tekken, Street Fighter, Soulblade, Mortal Kombat and Dead or Alive. This game aimed to offer a unique take on the fighting game genre by using beasts instead of human combatants. However, would this gimmick prove successful a second time? Or would this animal-based fighter fizzle out? We find out in our review of Bloody Roar 2.

A Thunderous Roar

What Bloody Roar 2 does brilliantly on its return is keeping the same great gameplay that we had from the first game in the series, yet elevating ever slightly. The player still has access to a wide variety of brutally beastly characters to fight with and against. There is still the usual suspects in terms of game modes such as story and arcade mode and the visuals keep the same look and feel of the original, while adding a new layer of polish to the overall presentation. However, its the small tweaks that make this one worthwhile as a sequel.

First, the story is a great continuation of the original, with the rogue group of Tylon Zylonthorpes fighting for the dignity of their race. Fighting games aren’t often remembered for their narrative and rightly so. But if they can offer some captivating exposition, it really ties everything together and motivates the player to fight. So this is a welcome bonus and one that elevates the series.

Then when it comes to the new game modes, the game does a great job at giving the player everything they could ever want. You have the new survival mode where you have to beat every character with just one health bar. The watch mode that allows you to take in AI fighters and learn new moves and weaknesses. Plus, you have the custom mode which is like playing the game with cheat codes such as god mode, big head mode and all the classic settings. It’s a lot of fun and a great addition to the game.

The Art of War

The fighting system is also a joy to behold in this title as well. This series has always prided itself on offering a hybrid of all the fighters of the era and the second iteration does this successfully as well. The variety of special moves and combos are great, the weight of the characters feel right and three perspective finishers are great too, even if they are nabbed from Sega’s Virtua Fighter.

The Verdict

Overall, Bloody Roar 2 takes the formula from the first successful outing and experiments again to offer an even more impressive final product. The additional game modes are a triumph, the gameplay and visuals are a step up from the previous game and story is a real highlight somewhat surprisingly for a fighter.

Pros:

• A wonderful fighting engine
• Stunning visuals for the time
• Brilliant additional game modes
• A compelling narrative

Cons:

• A small roster of fighters
• Recycled assets from competitors