A.O.T. 2 (Attack on Titan 2) (PC) Review

Attack on Titan 2 is not an immediately impressive title. Tutorials aren't usually the most memorable part of the game, but for some reason it seems like Koei Tecmo really wanted players to remember this one, since it's easily a couple of hours long. It serves mostly as a recap for the events of the first season of the anime series (and most of the first game, as well), but it might have been better captured in a short movie or optional cut-scenes.

Once that's through, though, Attack on Titan 2 is absolutely gripping. It's easy to get swept up in the sheer drama the series presents and playing through with your own character really helps you feel like a part of the world, like you are actually experiencing the events with the characters from the series. Being a part of the universe is something few anime adaptations have managed to do - and something that fewer have done well - but this one absolutely nails it.

Part of that is in just how fluid the game feels, especially in open world areas. The Omni-Directional Mobility Gear lets players soar effortlessly through giant maps in a way most Spider-Man games are undoubtedly jealous of. It does have a few quirks, like occasionally latching the character at a rather weird angle, and completely throwing you off-balance, but it almost feels like part of the experience.

Combat is overall pretty intuitive, and it ties in with the movement system really well. Titans still have only one major weak point to hone-in on, so finding a good angle to strike at is absolutely imperative. It's easy to fumble around until you are confident with the ins and outs of the ODMG, but once it's mastered, it feels almost like second nature.

Despite how great the gameplay feels, it's hard not to wish there was more of it. Fans of the series will undoubtedly love the cut-scenes and the character interactions that take place in the hub worlds between missions, but for each hardcore cut-scene fan, there's someone out there just itching to get back to the main game, and it's hard not to see why.

There is a multiplayer mode, as well, and it shows off the full roster of characters from the series, many of whom are barely recognisable when compared to the main cast - but to each, their own. The multiplayer offers a couple different play-styles great for playing and competing with friends or strangers from around the world, and it's a decent addition, but it seems unlikely that players will spend too much time here. It's a pleasing addition, but there really isn't much to the multiplayer overall.

Attack on Titan 2 definitely has some pacing issues, but it's a surprisingly deep title, and has a combat system that's largely unexpected from a Koei Tecmo release. Combat has a great amount of depth, and it's got some real, heart-stopping challenges. Even the movement feels great. It's a shame it is relatively short, though, and there's not a lot of replay value in it. Die-hard fans might be interested in reliving the experience over and over, but it's unlikely the average person will.