Fullmetal Alchemist 2: Curse of the Crimson Elixir – PS2 – Preview

Anime fans are very
loyal.  Video Gamers are very loyal.  Anime fans that are video gamers are
sometimes more loyal than what they should be.  Sometimes certain games are
successful just because of their link to a popular anime (I’m talking about you
DBZ).  While other games seem to fall flat when it comes to linking to a
successful anime, this was the case with the original FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST (FMA).
There seemed to be an opinion that if you were a fan of the anime then you
probably enjoyed the game.  But if you just wanted a new videogame then FMA
wasn’t the game to blow you away. 

A big complaint with the
first FMA game was the amount of text that was included in the game.  I should
probably keep comments about the benefits of continued reading to myself but
even I will admit that it’s hard in today’s videogame market to play a game with
a large amount of text included.  It seems to be more of an inconvenience in
reading the text and developing the storyline when the attention span of gamers
(and the public at large) is getting shorter and shorter.  We want entertainment
and we want it now.  Well to please the fans of the anime and to help the
attention span of gamers, FMA 2 will now include a fully voiced script.  All of
the voice acting in the game will be done by the same actors working on the
anime. 

The game is really a
prequel to the original game because the events in FMA 2 are based upon the very
first episode.  It starts off based on the first episode but splits out into its
own unique storyline that is a go between the early and later episodes.  For
anime fans this is a great way to find out just what happened and find out some
additional information on your favorite characters.  All, if not most, of the
characters from the series will be appearing in the game as well. 

The sequel prequel
(that’s strange to type but even stranger to see it happening more often – I
blame George Lucas) has a new look as well.  The game has improved cel-shaded
graphics which helps to present a stronger anime look to the game.  All of the
characters in the E3 demo looked great and were almost unmistakable from the
anime.  The combat system has been updated as well to a faster paced action
style.  The demo on display even had a hack and slash look to it because of the
amount of fighting the characters were involved in.  The alchemy system will (of
course) still be included in the game and can be pulled off with the press of
one button.  During combat you can combine your attacks with the alchemy spells
to create more powerful attacks. 

So far FMA 2 is looking
great and appears to be the game that most people wanted from the first FMA
game.  The excellent graphics and voice acting (from the original cast) will
surely please the anime fans.  The combat system should be easy enough for
anyone to get involved with and since the game is a prequel then there really
isn’t much of a need to have watched the anime.  There will even include 30
minutes of new anime footage created just for the game.  The game is scheduled
to be released on July 12^th.

For All E3 2005 Previews