Structurally, Original Generation 2 is just about identical to the first game, and it's also comparable to games like Fire Emblem. You'll get a big chunk of story between each mission (and sometimes during and throughout a mission), and once you get into battle, you'll be taking turns with your enemies controlling a number of unique mech units in battle. The typical turn involves an exchange of heavy firepower between pairs of mechs. You need to carefully decide where to move your mechs, which enemies to attack using what weapons, and when and how best to use your pilots' special abilities and your mechs' most powerful attacks. From mission to mission, your pilots and mechs will grow more powerful, and you have a good amount of flexibility in developing them all, which is where the role-playing elements intersect with all the turn-based strategy.
The game measures damage by the thousands of points, and this, along with some insanely over-the-top attack animations (many of them new or redrawn since the last game), really does create the sense that immensely powerful war machines are doing battle. Initially, you'll have to command maybe 5 to 10 mechs in a mission, but the battles grow substantially larger in scale as the game proceeds, up till when you'll be controlling closer to 20. Some mechs work particularly well in groups, possessing unique special abilities and team attacks. Others are very powerful by themselves, and others you'll simply like for their appearances and special weapons. This game is practically bursting with great mechs and characters, but you'll naturally want to stick to some personal favorites, so that they can gain most of the battlefield experience, benefit from purchased upgrades, and use some of the powerful items you find.
The handful of gameplay tweaks in Original Generation 2 don't substantially change the way this game plays compared with the first one, but they do add depth and some useful new features. It's now possible for some pilots to execute devastating chain attacks, letting them strike several opponents in a row in a single turn using a melee weapon. You'll be fighting foes in such large numbers later on that this can really be a life saver. Later on, you'll also gain access to "frames," which are special equipment that can significantly modify both the form and the function of certain mechs. There are a number of new unique abilities that your pilots may learn, as well as many new weapons and team attacks to look forward to. Many of the missions are longer and more complicated this time, packing in numerous surprises and often culminating in a tough boss fight of some sort. So you'll need to strike hard but be conservative with your mechs' energy reserves and your pilots' special abilities. The way that offensive and defensive support abilities work has also changed somewhat, but like in the last game, it's possible to get pairs of mechs either to attack in succession or to take hits for one another.
Original Generation 2 doesn't look or sound any different from its predecessor on first impression, but dig a little deeper and you'll find lots of new and retouched graphics and audio. The plain-looking overhead tactical maps where you make your moves once again cut away to some fantastic-looking animated combat sequences as opposing mechs tear into each other. Many of the biggest, most dramatic attacks from the previous game have all been redone this time around, looking even more remarkable than before. New theme songs for new characters have also been added, joining the memorable, energetic tunes of the first game. Original Generation 2 is a time-consuming game, so you'll appreciate having the option to easily skip combat animations during those times when you're just going through the motions of mopping up enemy forces. However, the animations give this game much of its personality, and nowhere is it clearer that this game is a loving tribute to giant robot anime than from watching these great sequences.
If you enjoyed Super Robot Taisen: The Original Generation, then this sequel will deliver just about everything you'd want from a follow-up, without shaking up or dumbing down a great formula. If you've never played the first one but the sequel sounds interesting, you should probably play the first one prior to diving into the second. Give these games a chance and you won't regret it.
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