It’s been a long time since this particular reviewer was a student, but if I remember correctly it can definitely be a bit of a stressful time. , playing with friends can be surprisingly difficult. Imagine how difficult it must have been if defeating a giant interdimensional beast had to fit into your schedule too.
These are the cards destined for Yang Yumo, the energetic young protagonist of Dusk Diver 2. Taking place one year after the original game, this sequel takes us back to Ximending, Taipei’s trendy shopping district. Absorb dragon vein energy, fight chaos beasts, and chat with visitors from other dimensions. There’s an in-game rundown for beginners, but having played the original definitely helps. The game assumes that you are already familiar with many of the returning characters and terminology.
Despite previously restoring dimensional balance, strange rifts have begun to spread across the city, and violent chaos beasts seem to be appearing in nearby realms. Not a particularly memorable story involving a military organization. The story is a bit lackluster, but it’s worth sticking with to get to know the fascinating characters and experience an interesting combat system.
Most chapters have a similar game flow. After chatting with a colleague who works part-time at a local store, Yumo explores Ximending or takes the subway to explore nearby areas. You’ll then come across a rift that takes you to a strange alternate dimension where you’ll have to fight until you reach the exit.
There are some really interesting and unique dungeon designs here. For example, one of the first dungeons you will experience will require you to explore a huge arcade. Trying to hack your opponent while dodging a giant air hockey puck definitely makes for an interesting battle. Every time you visit a new area, it’s always fun to see if there are any new wacky obstacles to throw your way.
A lot of time is spent defeating the Chaos Beast, so it’s a good job that the combat is pretty solid. Each combatant has a different weapon and fighting style. Whether you like the idea of playing as Leo and getting up close and personal with his fists, or approaching from a greater distance with Biada and her pistols, there’s sure to be a fighting style that suits you.
Playing as Yumo and her friends is fun. It gracefully flies around the battlefield and unleashes flashy special moves. I’m also really happy with how well I can dodge enemy attacks, especially since doing so with perfect timing slows down the time temporarily. , it shouldn’t take long before you can easily kill enemies.
Being able to switch between multiple characters is great, but there isn’t much incentive to do so.It’s not that certain characters are noticeably stronger against certain enemy types, and they have special abilities that allow them to explore different areas. nor does it have Instead, it’s much more efficient to focus on leveling up one or two of your favorites and ignore the rest.
Speaking of enemy types, there isn’t much variety here. You’ll often encounter new enemies, but they’re slightly different colored versions of the ones you’re already fighting, and of course have bigger health bars. Possibly, but there are attempts to spice things up with some boss fights. This is the scene where you try to destroy it.
When you’re not running around saving the world, there are plenty of side quests to keep you busy. Sadly, many of these tasks end up completing fairly mundane chores. Sure, handing out flyers promoting Ximending might make you feel like a good citizen, but it’s not the most attractive or exciting way to pass the time.
Visually, the Dusk Diver 2 looks great. It’s packed full of character design charm, and you can even get new outfits to customize your party. The vibrant color palette makes Ximending warm and inviting, while the dungeon dimension lends an eerie, otherworldly feel. Of course, a special shoutout must be given to all the absolutely delicious food and drinks you can buy to liven up your party.
Conclusion
If you’re a fan of the original Dusk Diver, you’ll find a lot of fun here. While better combat and more time spent with Tumaz Mart’s hilarious staff would be nice, it’s a shame that both the story and the many side his quests are pretty forgettable. Overall, this is a pretty solid hack-and-slash adventure with very creative dungeon exploration, but it’s a bit hectic and lacks variety.
