Summary
Battle Arena Toshinden 2 is a 1995 fighting game known for its 3D combat, diverse character roster, and engaging storyline. It contributed to the evolution of fighting games, even if it didn’t redefine the genre.
- Release Year: 1995
- Genres: Arcade, Fighting
- Platforms: Arcade, PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation
- Developers: Tamsoft
- Publishers: Capcom, Microsoft, Playmates Interactive Entertainment, Sony Computer Entertainment Europe, Takara, THQ
Introduction
Released in 1995, Battle Arena Toshinden 2 is a 3D fighting game that brought innovation and new characters to the franchise. Developed by Tamsoft and published by Takara, it became a notable title for the PlayStation and Sega Saturn.
Synopsis
The plot of “Battle Arena Toshinden 2” revolves around the discovery of Gaia’s treachery. Gaia, one of the fighters in the original “Battle Arena Toshinden”, has been branded a traitor and marked for death by Uranus and Master, the other leaders of the Secret Society. The Secret Society holds another Battle Arena Toshinden tournament in order to lure Gaia out so that he can be swiftly eliminated by them and their loyal forces.
The core gameplay remains unchanged from the original “Battle Arena Toshinden”, but the game does include a simple combo system. The 3D movement was also altered to create slightly better balance in battle. As in the first game, a player falling out of the ring will result in a ring out, only this time, if both players fall out of the ring at the same time, the one who falls out last will be declared the winner.
The game adds three new starting fighters; Tracy and Chaos with the original game’s final boss, Gaia returning un-armoured and with a completely new move set. There are also three new bosses and hidden characters raising the total number of fighters to 15 (up from 10).
Characters
Notable characters include Eiji Shinjo, the dedicated swordsman; Kayin Amoh, a master of the broadsword seeking revenge; Sofia, a whip-wielding Russian private detective; and Duke B. Rambert, a disgraced knight. Newcomers like Tracy and Vermillion added depth and variety to the roster.
Gameplay
Gameplay involves a mix of weapon-based combat and 3D arena movement, allowing players to dodge attacks by sidestepping. Each character has unique special moves, combo potentials, and two types of super moves: ‘Overdrive’ and ‘Desperation’.
Conclusion
While Battle Arena Toshinden 2 may not have achieved the legendary status of some of its peers, it remains a beloved classic. It’s a testament to a time when the fighting game genre was rapidly evolving and experimenting with new ideas.
Review Score
6.5/10
Art
Cover Art
Screenshots
Fan Art
Fan Art Style: Normal
Fan Art Style: Retro
Fan Art Style: Modern
