Violentvixen
(She/Her)
Fuga: Melodies of Steel 2 came out on May 11th. I know everyone is playing Zelda since it came out the very next day but I loved the first game and have loved what I have played so far of the second and want to gush about them.
This is not a cheerful game, but I've noticed a lot of reviews focus on the Soul Cannon and I want to make it clear you don't need to use it in the game. During the first boss battle you use it, but then the game introduces the time rewind mechanic and everything is restored because losing a party member made everyone too depressed to fight. So then the game teaches you that if you are smart about doing upgrades and S-links during the intermissions (downtime before boss battles) you shouldn't need to use the cannon. This Let's Play starts the Soul Cannon bit about 30 minutes in, then at 41 the game shows you what a bad idea using that cannon was and how to do all the upgrades and stuff to avoid using it:
I am not a huge strategy game person (I dunno if strategy is the right genre for this but sure why not) and I was able to beat the game without losing anyone and it wasn't that hard to do so. I did have to repeat a few intermissions/boss battles but was never frustrated, it was more of a light bulb moment once I realized a more efficient way to do the battle. There was one boss that I did have to look up a guide for because I couldn't figure out their attack pattern, but once I did (I forgot I'd purchased a ton of elemental ammo types and could use them) I beat 'em in one shot.
If you're still not sure, it's currently on Gamepass and there's a demo on Steam.
You need to play the first game before you play 2. Full stop. The game does a tutorial but the story of 1 would be spoiled, what's happening won't make much sense, and I have a feeling you may not have as many characters available to you.
The second game is great so far, with adding just enough new mechanics and plot elements to be exciting without making things complicated or confusing. I got some bonus stuff for importing my save, and it looks like this game is going to lean more heavily into the fact that this is in the same world of Solatorobo which is interesting.
Finally this is still true in the second game and I still love it:
This is not a cheerful game, but I've noticed a lot of reviews focus on the Soul Cannon and I want to make it clear you don't need to use it in the game. During the first boss battle you use it, but then the game introduces the time rewind mechanic and everything is restored because losing a party member made everyone too depressed to fight. So then the game teaches you that if you are smart about doing upgrades and S-links during the intermissions (downtime before boss battles) you shouldn't need to use the cannon. This Let's Play starts the Soul Cannon bit about 30 minutes in, then at 41 the game shows you what a bad idea using that cannon was and how to do all the upgrades and stuff to avoid using it:
I am not a huge strategy game person (I dunno if strategy is the right genre for this but sure why not) and I was able to beat the game without losing anyone and it wasn't that hard to do so. I did have to repeat a few intermissions/boss battles but was never frustrated, it was more of a light bulb moment once I realized a more efficient way to do the battle. There was one boss that I did have to look up a guide for because I couldn't figure out their attack pattern, but once I did (I forgot I'd purchased a ton of elemental ammo types and could use them) I beat 'em in one shot.
If you're still not sure, it's currently on Gamepass and there's a demo on Steam.
You need to play the first game before you play 2. Full stop. The game does a tutorial but the story of 1 would be spoiled, what's happening won't make much sense, and I have a feeling you may not have as many characters available to you.
The second game is great so far, with adding just enough new mechanics and plot elements to be exciting without making things complicated or confusing. I got some bonus stuff for importing my save, and it looks like this game is going to lean more heavily into the fact that this is in the same world of Solatorobo which is interesting.
Finally this is still true in the second game and I still love it:
A random thing that made me laugh though was how the tank picks up healing items. You just run them over. Like the tank treads show the change in elevation from going over the crates, then boom, they explode and you're healed! Why not?
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