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Post by Iain on Jan 31, 2004 3:08:47 GMT -5
Crimson Sea 2 will be arriving march 2004, and frankly it looks even better than the Xbox version if that can be believed. The game will now have multiplayer ability and more modes of play also. March is looking like a very busy month now.
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Post by SteelDragon on Jan 31, 2004 15:50:35 GMT -5
so whats gonna happen to the Xbox owners? will Koei release it for them as well? cuz the first was Xbox, dunno why the sudden hope to PS2, meh
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Post by Iain on Feb 12, 2004 1:36:15 GMT -5
Xbox owners may already be familiar with Kou Shibusawa's stylistic actioner Crimson Sea, but PlayStation 2 vets may not be so inclined. Originally released as an Xbox exclusive last January, the KOEI-developed shooter/slasher offered up all sorts of satisfying reflex candy. And while that title sported the same "not for everyone" approach as KOEI's other high-action series Dynasty Warriors, Crimson Sea definitely has the potential to reach even further in terms of the mass market. KOEI seems to think so too, as it has decided to release the follow-up Crimson Sea 2 exclusively for the PlayStation 2 this March. And it's set to feature a whole mess of improvements and additions. Set two years after the events of the first game, Crimson Sea 2 continues to the story of the bizarre alien/human hybrid Sho. Still relishing in his victory over the evil alien invasion, Sho has settled into his position as a high-ranking IAG officer and highly regarded protector of the galaxy. After suddenly being attacked by unknown forces, however the IAG finds itself in a state of near-collapse before regrouping under the leadership of their commander, a scantily clad sex-kitten known as Live-D. After gathering the few survivors and mercenaries that are left, Live-D looks towards Sho and his new companion Feanay as humanity's last hope for survival. And it's from here that gameplay really begins. On the surface Crimson Sea 2 looks and plays much like the Dynasty Warriors series. Far less rigid and stiff than its predecessor, the game feels a lot more responsive than the original right from the beginning. The fluid three-dimensional movements and easy to pull off turns are a huge improvement as well, and the Resident Evil-like mechanics from the first title are a thing of the past. Also progressive is the overall speed of the game; as it has been ramped up to match the pace upgraded navigation and the ease and height of your jumping ability appears to be slightly altered to boot.
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Post by Iain on Feb 12, 2004 1:44:12 GMT -5
To add some variety to story progression and gameplay, users will also be able to control Feanay as well. Given her own unique set of attacks, Feanay plays a bit differently from Sho and should lend itself well to speedier players who prefer their attacks close-up rather than distanced. But even if players have a preference of one character over another, they'll still have to use the services of both of them as the storyline progresses. Broken into 60 different missions (almost three times as many as the original game and playable in non-linear order), the majority of the stages are personality specific -- with only Sho or Feanay able to compete in a certain areas. The objectives themselves are lot more interesting too, with search and rescue, infiltration, intelligence gathering, time limit objectives, item collection/smuggling, and escort missions all a part of the menu. Another new feature this year is the included co-op and multiplayer modes. Structured much in the same way as Dynasty Warriors, these new modes provide users with the means to compete competitively for higher scores, team-up simultaneously for interstellar ass-kicking, and fight one another in versus. Other nice little features, like the included Dolby Pro Logic II support and ability to copy the game to the PlayStation 2 Hard Drive (in the Japanese version at least, no word yet on the U.S. copy), should please the technophiles always on the lookout for something extra. So far, though, Crimson Sea 2 looks as though it could be a real sleeper for PS2 action fans. Much deeper than first thought and overpopulated with thousands of enemies per mission, it will definitely give your trigger fingers quite a workout. ps2media.ign.com/ps2/image/crimsonsea2_020304_01.jpg[/img]
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Post by Iain on Feb 18, 2004 1:03:07 GMT -5
Some more news about Crimson Sea 2, now set for a March 30th release...
Crimson Sea 2 features over 60 missions and 3 two-player modes. Work together to bring down the enemy and clear a stage in "Co-op" mode, battle head-to-head 'death match' style in "Versus" mode, or try to outscore your human opponent in "Competition" mode.
Over 60 missions and non-linear play New playable character, Feanay, and character-based missions 3 Two-Player modes New devastating Neo-Psionic attacks can destroy entire platoons of enemies with a single blow Uncover the secrets of the aliens and eradicate them using new fighting techniques Manipulate time with the "Time Extend" technique Customizable weapons systems- attack with guns and blades Heart pounding action and an eerie suspense-filled story Run and gun, shoot and slash with fast-paced frenetic action New aliens and amazing worlds to explore Now exclusive to the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system Dolby Pro Logic II sound puts you in the middle of the action
Expanded Information Along with a variety of new weapons and effects, Crimson Sea 2 also features a series of enhanced Neo-Psionic attacks- deadly energy waves that change the tide of battle in a single move. By combining various weapons and Neo-Psionic techniques, a player can attack hundreds of enemies in a minute and achieve a thousand hit combos.
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Post by ShoGirl on Feb 19, 2004 17:00:50 GMT -5
*Drools at Sho*
Sorry, but I can't stop looking at him. In fact, he's so good lo o o o o o o o kinggggggggggggg..........
Sorry.
I'm going to get that game, whether the other fan 'Sho' girls get it or not.
*Grabs the famous Bishounen Net and starts stalking at Sho.*
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Post by Iain on Feb 20, 2004 1:21:50 GMT -5
Just another excuse to show off yet another beautiful screenshot....You might think the graphics would take a dive in transition from the Xbox to the PS2, but Crimson Sea 2 still pushes polygons like nobody's business. Multiplayer...For good measure, the game will feature several different multiplayer modes. A co-op mode will allow two players to clear a stage with each other's help. A versus mode will allow them to have it out and see who's the better gun/blade/neo-psionics fighter once and for all. Finally, the competition mode is less directly competitive and tasks players with trying to outscore each other. Initially, Sho and Feanay are selectable in the versus mode, but there's clearly room for some unlockable characters here. You might think the split-screen action, especially when combined with Crimson Sea's signature droves of enemies, would cause this game's frame rate to take a dive. No such luck. This game runs fast and smooth, come hell or high water. The enemies are also generally bigger, more detailed, and meaner-looking than in the original, so there ought to be plenty of eye candy here...if you consider dozens of slavering monsters onscreen at once to be eye candy, that is. Meanwhile, Crimson Sea 2's soundtrack runs the gamut from quieter atmospheric pieces to some heavy metal guitar riffs, and it all seems pretty appropriate for the theme.
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Post by ShoGirl on Feb 20, 2004 17:20:56 GMT -5
Argh! The graphics! Argh! Sho! Argh! Can't think of something else due to the game being great and such!
*Keeps staring and drooling at Sho*
BTW that preview came from Gamespot.com if you're wondering.
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Post by Iain on Feb 25, 2004 3:21:48 GMT -5
A trailer for Crimson Sea 2 can be viewed here.Now that Samurai Warriors has been delayed till late may this puts the late March release of Crimson Sea 2 up as the first big Koei action title coming out..
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Post by SteelDragon on Feb 27, 2004 0:37:23 GMT -5
Hmmm..Crimson Sea 2 looks very intresting, ill have to give it a try when it hits the local EB, might also have to convice a friend to rent the first for XBox, still..i cant help but have symponthy for the Xbox fans as they seem to be left out, maybe we will see a port of CS1 after a while? eh..i doubt it..but it whould be nice for those who own only a PS2 and get into it
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Post by ShoGirl on Feb 27, 2004 17:31:12 GMT -5
Give me Sho! *Grabs the Sho plushie* I hope this will release at the end of June or I'll Not literally true, but I want that game now!
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Post by Sleipner on Mar 1, 2004 12:34:37 GMT -5
Do anyone think the non-linear missions will actually alter how the game plays, e.g will we be able to get different endings or play different missions only if we done the previous missions in a specific order?
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Post by Iain on Mar 1, 2004 20:31:28 GMT -5
I think the potentual is there for a lot of replay value if the storyline is indeed non-linear, but the biggest suprise has to be two player mode, this could really expand the games draw I think, much like DW3's two player mode really added to the series.
The first game was very much 'level' based, you did a area and got a ranking and money , if you wanted you could try again to do even better, this made powering up your character for later levels much easier, it will be interesting to see if this game follows a similar outline.
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Post by ShoGirl on Mar 5, 2004 17:05:20 GMT -5
I think the potentual is there for a lot of replay value if the storyline is indeed non-linear, but the biggest suprise has to be two player mode, this could really expand the games draw I think, much like DW3's two player mode really added to the series. The first game was very much 'level' based, you did a area and got a ranking and money , if you wanted you could try again to do even better, this made powering up your character for later levels much easier, it will be interesting to see if this game follows a similar outline. In terms of 'levels', can you go on those again, even though you completed a mission?
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Post by Iain on Mar 27, 2004 9:54:17 GMT -5
Perhaps the best example of this is the company's latest attempt at progress, Crimson Sea 2. Originally conceived as an Xbox title (which admittedly received less than blockbuster sales numbers), this PlayStation 2-exclusive does almost everything that a follow-up should. Not only is it a bigger, prettier, faster, and more streamlined experience than it was before, it also fixes nearly all the problems associated with its predecessor. The end result is an action/adventure title of such surprising quality that we can't help but find ourselves incredibly addicted to its simplistic but enthralling hack and shoot philosophy. Now on the outside, Crimson Sea 2's premise may sound a little familiar to longtime fans of science fiction and fantasy-based videogames -- but that's where the similarities stop. Rather than go down a tested black and white path that most other installments typically do, Crimson Sea 2 not only explores its characters' several shades of gray, it also changes their motives, kills off main protagonists, and unveils an ample number of surprises. Sure it isn't Shakespeare, but for an action game set in the future, it's a oh bugger fine fairy tale. GameplayWhere Crimson Sea 2 really excels, though, is with its vastly improved mechanics. As most returning players may remember, the original version on Xbox suffered from that classic Resident Evil-type 'slow turn' maneuver and a stiffly-controlled camera. The result was often disastrous in narrow passageways and when surrounded by enemies -- making it difficult to navigate speed or damage-related missions in a fast and efficient manner. Crimson Sea 2, on the other hand, throws all that out the window by giving its user an entirely smooth 3D control scheme and a free roaming camera controlled entirely by the right analog stick. And while there are still a number of perspective issues that can cost you hit points in cramped or hectic environments, the problem with seeing straight is nowhere near as bad as it was before. In fact, between the enhanced control response and better camera work, this new installment feels like an entirely different experience. Of course, one of the key reasons for that difference is the fact that players can now take control of the female whip-ass artist Feanay in addition to that of Sho. Though Sho comes across as more of a powerhouse with a tendency to move rather slowly, Feanay offers an alternative approach that favors speed and tactics over brawn. And while it's true that both characters will play almost exactly the same at their base level, their powers and abilities are so strongly contrasted that it doesn't really feel that way. Regardless of which characters players choose, though, it's the depth of their combat choices that really powers the action forward. When up close, users are given the ability to unleash their blade weapon for combination attacks, melee chains, or precursors to more intricate special maneuvers. At a distance, they can unleash four different types of artillery of varying power levels and absolutely decimate whatever gets in front of them. If players are particularly skilled they can use their power gauge at the bottom of the screen for a series of different special attacks and link-combos; with techniques like NeoPsionics (which are essentially magic spells), Overdrives (supercharged projectile strikes), Gravity Blades (powered-up melee attacks), and Time Extends (slows enemy movement for increased combat chains) to help them out. Best of all, all of these methods are easy to learn and fun to use -- turning even an average player into a bona fide commando in a matter of moments. GraphicsKOEI has done an amazing job with the Crimson Sea 2 engine and has actually pulled off the seemingly unheard of task of making the PlayStation 2 version look better than the Xbox original. While not as high-res as the Microsoft installment before it, the PS2 edition of Sho and friends offers a much larger variety of textures with more vibrant colors and effects. Character models in particular look incredibly good and easily eclipse KOEI's other action-oriented franchises like Dynasty Warriors and Mystic Heroes in terms of intricacy and animation. Best of all, the framerate is top notch with very few instances of slowdown that aren't intentional (re: Time Extends). SoundNot only is the story consistently interesting with plenty of character development but the soundtracks are always epic and magnificently scored. Mixing classical-style orchestrated pieces with jumping space junkie techno, it definitely has a fitting personality with several handfuls of memorable tracks. Composer Yoshihiro Ike (Blood: The Last Vampire) should definitely get his props for this hopefully an album release will follow. Adding even more life to the experience is the ability to modify your character's combat skills. If, for example, the constant flow of monster teeth is too much for you in the beginning, you can always return to stages you've already played and collect experience items known as origins to upgrade. More intuitively put together than the advancement method from the first game (you no longer have to assemble various weapon part combinations for different effects), the promotion screen is as simple as assigning points to whatever weapon attribute you want to improve -- it's that easy. There is also a couple of special armor-related and reincarnation items too, and gamers can even earn general experience points towards the growth of their health meter. Depth is not an issue here.. And it all comes out this week too.....
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