[flash http://www.kotowari.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/091309_1.flv w=320 h=240 f={image=http://www.kotowari.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/091309.jpg}]
Calling this video a review is probably a bit of a stretch. I think we got a bit off track a few times since it has been awhile since we put one of these together. Hopefully at the very least this video will entertain you somewhat.
What I can say about Mana Khemia II without actually playing it is that NG5 has been quite obsessed with it for a while. I haven’t seem him so excited to play a game in some time, which definitely suggests the power the series has over its fans.
The game impressed me for a few different reasons. One feature that I love is the ability to select one of two different main characters, each with their own story. This provides some customization on the player’s part and also offers some valuable replay benefits. I also appreciate it when games offer the option of a female protagonist. I think this helps to not alienate anyone from the experience and makes them feel more at home in the shoes of their character.
Presentation-wise the character art in Mana Khemia II is quite stunning and on par with higher end games of similar genres such as Cross Edge. I often found myself chuckling while watching NG5 play the game, despite being fairly at a loss for what was going on. I guess I shouldn’t be surprised when an NIS game makes me laugh at this point in my gaming career–they are the only company who consistently does so.
I just hope this game didn’t go under the radar of most fans of 2D RPGs since it’s probably one of the last, good PS2 titles of the genre we’ll be seeing.
Robert Janssen says: 
Jink 
Kai 
Andre 
Kai 
