Video games made under license are not always able to satisfy the request of the fanbase, especially in the last decade. The cases in which video games based on manga and anime have proved to be excellent paying homage to the original product can really be counted on the fingertips, and one of the productions of recent years that had left a bad taste in the mouth about more than one feature, is it was the very first Attack On Titan: Wings of Freedom. To inflict a nice clean blow of the blade at this cliché, however, arrives Attack On Titan 2, which disproving the not exactly rosy forecasts, turns out to be a fully enjoyable title. By correcting the woodiness of the gameplay and providing an alternative narrative mode, the evolution of the brand has undergone a decisive surge.
Prepare for the massacre
Contrary to what we saw in the previous chapter, to dictate the course of events will be our real participation in first person. In the story mode we will in fact dress the clothes of a new character that we will create ourselves, also present in the terrible day 0 that marked the invasion of the giants beyond the bulwark of Wall Maria. Our gaming experience is accompanied by a narrator, who will slowly tell our progress starting from our training. Clearly from what can be deduced from his words, it is a posthumous story, retraced by reading the diary of our character. This small object will in fact be one of the fundamental keys of the title, since our virtual alter ego will write many notes on his life as a soldier. Living the plot step by step in chronological order, we will assist the characters of the original story in their exploits, making us in turn the protagonists of some missions and scenes that are not properly linked to the actions of the main characters. As members of the team, there will obviously be moments (which coincide with the phases of "daily life") in which to socialize with our fellow soldiers and raise the level of friendship with them. In addition to unlocking small dedicated scenes, leveling up will be very useful for gain skills to "equip" our avatar, becoming stronger and more suited to our style of play.
The strong sense of belonging, however, is not only given by being able to wander freely in the various phases that we will gradually unlock, but also by theincredible and faithful characterization of the characters. Even those who during the reading / viewing of the series remained more in the background, in AOT 2 they find their right place so much so that the idea of conversing with those we have come to know will be palpable. We, on the other hand, will enjoy our staff too reputation, which we will earn in various ways and that we can use to get bonuses or to use some facilities, such as the training ground which will be essential to increase the basic statistics of our avatar (strength, agility, dexterity, health, concentration and command ).
In these phases of daily life, and in some interludes during one mission and the other of the chapters, there will be occasions when we can buy, sell and upgrade our equipment: in order to do this we will need credits that we will earn based on our results in battle, such as completion time, takedowns and, of course, the final evaluation. Furthermore, the more powerful the weapons and three-dimensional movement devices available, the more the necessary materials (also obtainable during the mission and as a reward at the end of it) will be of a higher quality and rarity.
A lethal sting
On the battlefield, however, things will be anything but calm. As already mentioned, the story mode will make us live step by step all the events experienced so far in the anime of Attack On Titan in chronological order, and making us take part in the first person in the key moments (and not) of the entire series. From the tutorial onwards, the combat scheme will become increasingly clear and the movements to be implemented will become more and more natural to the player. Much of the gameplay translates into taking advantage of the setting and timing thanks to the three-dimensional movement to be able to inflict lethal blows to the giants we will meet, from the "smallest" of about 4 meters, up to real mountains over 14. The giants have different points where they can suffer damage, which translates in the 4 limbs and in the classic weak point in the back of the neck. If you are already used to the series, you will know that the regeneration capacity of these creatures is incredible, and cutting off their arms and legs is only a temporary advantage ... but often decisive. In fact, some anomalous giants will have to be hit in specific points (randomly placed on the limbs) before being hit behind the neck, suffering "real" damage. To complete a mission it will be necessary to carry out very specific actions, going to the various active points of the map. But exterminating giants will not be the only thing that can guarantee us victory: very often in the game maps we will have to rescue our allies, which will launch signal rockets, and which once rescued will often add to our small contingent. These are called "Secondary missions", and have a decisive value also for the total evaluation at the end of the mission.
The comrades we recruit will be able to also follow our guidelines and attach a specific point to our command, be it a limb or the nape of a giant's neck. Strategically, these actions will prove indispensable for the fight against these giants, especially when we will be grabbed by them and need support. However, these skills need to recharge once used, so you will need to use them wisely. It does not end here! In addition to having to seek true strength in the group and not only in individual skills (after all, we are only cadets of the 104th district ...), it will be up to our avatar to take care of the construction of some outposts in the battle map, which we will choose from the list of those we have unlocked: some will attack the giants on sight, others will provide us with essential supplies of gas and blades to be able to continue fighting. Yeah, supplies. In fact, during the battle, as the anime said on more than one occasion, the gas that allows us to use the three-dimensional movement tends to run out quickly, and the blades wear out against the granite skin of the giants. Last but not least, there will also be the possibility of capturing giants with a special "net cannon" to donate them to the research laboratory, thus obtaining hefty rewards. During the "alternative mode" available in the menu, and during daily life, we will also be able to undertake reconnaissance missions to gain reputation (to be spent on bonuses and training) and monetary funds.
Smoke and Roast
On a technical level, there is little to complain about, other than a slightly edgy and gods learning curve huge frame rate dips in the moments that see the collapse of the structures (houses and various buildings). The artistic side of the title on the other hand is subject to splendid care, which although it may present a breathless graphics in the gameplay phases to make a decisive fluidity possible, manages to keep alive the idea of really being on the battlefield. The adrenaline, the rush, the need to win it, will all be palpable thanks to the fidelity of the details mentioned above of the characters and settings, but also thanks to that of the soundtrack, combined with all the effects and dubbing.
