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Project Zero 2

Namco

PS2

Body
-INTRO
Sequel to the SH inspired game. Bigger areas and some new feats are delivered.
-GRAPHICS(Tech)
Average PS2 fare.
-GRAPHIC(Art)
Nice settings and a few interesting ideas. Average for the rest.
-AMBIENCE
Generic creepy sounds, not bad but far below SH. Also not oriental enough.
-CONTROLS
Common control layout and maybe too slow when using the camera. Map shortcut shouldn't be on Select.
Mind
-DIFFICULTY CURVE
Easier than the first episode, you'll finish it with lots of unused items.
-LEVEL DESIGN
Tight and varied enough but sometimes vague and overcomplicated.
-PUZZLE DESIGN
Average for the genre and sometimes clearly timewasting.
-FIGHTING SYSTEM
The camera is still a good idea but there is only so much that you can do with it.
-MAGIC SYSTEM
N/A
-DEBUGGING
Not much to report.
Soul
-ORIGINALITY & INNOVATION
Slightly improves on the original, but camera aside, the gaming world is not impressed.
-STORY
Typical ancient Japanese tale of ghosts, told in a modern Japanese way. Intricacies are revealed through many books and recording stones, but maybe too many characters are thrown in. The girls are annoying.
-ATMOSPHERE
A nice Japanese ghost village, improving on the original's only mansion. A few clever touches now and then, adding tension to the typical scare jumps. It never really hurts you though, as anything around the corner is gonna be a ghost anyway and nearly always can be taken care of with the camera.
-ARTISTIC VALUE
It won't be remembered for a long time.
-PURE GAMING FUN
Exploration, fights, urge and quick reflexes, collection and development are all there but there is no clear sign of life behind the gaming ideas.
Extra info
-MULTIPLAYER
N/A
-ONLINE
N/A
-HOURS TO COMPLETION
10-12
-PLAYER CUSTOMISATION
Some stuff and costumes when finished.
-EXTENDED & REPLAY VALUE
A mission mode and extended endings on harder settings.
Final Score
It's too average for its own good and even though it's far from painful in the end you just play it to get scared.

 

Copyright 2005 StrangeAeons Industries London
Some of the images are ©Nintendo Co. Ltd. and are here used for flattery purposes.
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