Aragami 2
- July 6, 2022
- Lince Works
- 16h median play time
There are few games I’ve enjoyed quite as much in recent months as Aragami 2.
Aragami 2 is a third person stealth game where you play as an assassin with the power to control the shadows. Join the shadow clan and fight the invider armies to protect your people.
Reviews
- Fluid and fun movement mechanics that enhance gameplay.
- Great character customization options and skill trees.
- Engaging stealth gameplay with multiple approaches to missions.
- Repetitive missions and environments that can become tedious.
- Numerous bugs and glitches that affect gameplay experience.
- Combat mechanics feel clunky and less satisfying compared to the first game.
- story797 mentions
- 14 % positive mentions
- 77 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
The story in "Aragami 2" has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it lackluster compared to its predecessor. While the game features a variety of missions, the narrative often feels disjointed and repetitive, with a significant number of missions lacking meaningful connection to the overarching plot. Players noted that the storytelling is primarily delivered through dialogue in a hub area, leading to a sense of detachment from the characters and their development, making it difficult to stay engaged throughout the lengthy campaign.
“The story is nice, taking place 100 years after the first one it still makes certain callbacks to some events and characters, while expanding in concepts and world-building.”
“The story has been decent so far, but I might update this review once I get to the end of the game.”
“I loved the story and had so much fun both playing it solo and with my friend.”
“The story was drawn out way longer than it needed; could have combined some of the shorter missions or just cut some of them out. 51 missions was a bit too long to the point it got annoying near the end.”
“The plot is so vague, I don't even care how it ends.”
“The story is bland, mostly because it only exists in the hub world and you don't really *feel* the impact your missions have.”
- gameplay421 mentions
- 30 % positive mentions
- 64 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "Aragami 2" has received mixed reviews, with many players noting a significant departure from the mechanics of its predecessor. While the game introduces faster-paced movement and a more fluid combat system, it lacks the unique shadow mechanics that defined the first game, leading to a more generic stealth experience. Additionally, numerous bugs and inconsistencies in enemy AI have been reported, which can detract from the overall enjoyment, although some players appreciate the new co-op features and character customization options.
“It's aesthetically very cool, the mechanics are fun, and they keep things interesting by mixing up the challenges with each mission.”
“The traversal is probably the strongest point of the game, and works great with the stealth mechanics.”
“The gameplay is a massive improvement, in my opinion.”
“The game is incredibly unfinished, mechanics don't work half the time, and the maps are used far too many times for their own good.”
“The missions are very boring, the gameplay is very buggy, the enemies have super hearing sometimes and sometimes they don't notice anything, so it just feels very random and can get extremely frustrating if you are trying to play stealthily.”
“This sequel is nothing like the first game; they removed many core game mechanics that made the original so unique and fun and just replaced it with generic, unsatisfying, and clunky combat.”
- graphics145 mentions
- 28 % positive mentions
- 61 % neutral mentions
- 10 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game have received mixed reviews, with many players noting a downgrade from the original's unique art style to a more generic 3D aesthetic that lacks polish. While some appreciate the improved resolution and certain visual elements, others criticize the character models and overall blandness, suggesting that the visuals do not meet modern standards. Overall, the game's graphics are seen as average, with a few standout moments, but they fail to capture the charm and atmosphere of the predecessor.
“The game's art style is also a bit of a departure from the first game which was made on Unity like this one, but it had that cool watercolor, cell-shaded art style that still looks very visually striking today.”
“The graphics are incredible and so are the controls and combat.”
“The graphics are stylized but definitely beautiful, but the gameplay is where this game shines.”
“In this game, it just looks like a generic Unity engine game, with some of the art style retained, but characters just look unfinished and rough, especially your main character.”
“The graphics are appalling, somehow poorer than the original game.”
“They scrapped the original art style that Aragami had and replaced it with this generic 3D art style.”
- stability107 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game's stability has been widely criticized, with numerous players reporting a plethora of bugs and glitches that significantly hinder gameplay. Many reviewers noted that these issues range from minor annoyances to game-breaking problems, particularly in multiplayer modes, making the experience frustrating at times. While some players still found enjoyment in the game despite its instability, the consensus is that it requires substantial fixes to reach its full potential.
“The glitches in this game make it unplayable.”
“The amount of bugs and glitches in this game make it nearly unplayable most of the time.”
“This game is extremely buggy even a few months after release, and not in a goofy funny way that you can continue with, but in a game breaking 'cannot continue' way.”
- music53 mentions
- 49 % positive mentions
- 45 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers praising its beauty and ability to enhance the atmosphere. While some players noted a lack of variety due to repetitive tracks in certain areas, the overall sentiment is that the soundtrack is exceptional and a highlight of the experience. Many fans expressed a strong emotional connection to the music, often finding it memorable and enjoyable throughout their gameplay.
“Music was exceptional!”
“The soundtrack is absolutely amazing and beautiful.”
“I think the developers did an outstanding job with the atmosphere and the music too is spot on.”
“You go to the same areas constantly, fighting the same enemies with the same spawn placements with the same music for the overwhelming majority of the game, and much like Young Blood, it's tedious and boring.”
“About 75% of this game is complete filler missions, there's only about 6 locations and they all get boring fast, and every time you come back to your home base the same annoying song plays over and over and over.”
“- the game lacks the atmosphere of Aragami 1 (graphics and music don't create the sense of melancholy or mystery).”
- humor28 mentions
- 96 % positive mentions
- -7 % neutral mentions
- 11 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is largely derived from its numerous bugs and glitches, which often lead to absurd and laugh-out-loud moments, especially during co-op play. Players find the quirky AI behavior, comical sound effects, and the ridiculousness of certain game mechanics to be entertaining, creating a fun atmosphere despite the game's flaws. Overall, while the humor may not always be intentional, it contributes significantly to the enjoyment of the experience, particularly when shared with friends.
“I played the entire thing co-op with a friend, and the amount of times we would burst out laughing over the fact they are throwing another 4 fetch quests on us was absurd.”
“It's hilarious that the tutorial describes air assassinations as being a thing, when it's really just you jumping, landing, and then performing a regular kill on land.”
“The maps are all reused throughout the entire game, the amount of bugs is hilarious and disappointing.”
“If this was supposed to be funny, the intent was not clear; though the reaction certainly was.”
“The jokes fell flat and often felt forced, making it hard to enjoy the humor.”
“I found the attempts at humor to be cringeworthy rather than amusing.”
- grinding28 mentions
- 4 % positive mentions
- 14 % neutral mentions
- 82 % negative mentions
Players generally find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and repetitive, often requiring excessive time spent on similar missions and objectives that lack variety. Many reviews highlight the frustration of having to revisit the same areas and complete the same tasks multiple times, which detracts from the overall enjoyment of the game. While some appreciate the stealth mechanics, the grinding for collectibles and rewards is seen as a significant drawback, leading to burnout and a diminished sense of accomplishment.
“Stealth gameplay is very solid yet not too tedious.”
“Thanks for making these tedious missions even longer by letting me search a needle in a haystack.”
“But considering this is the fifth time I am in the mine to collect/assassinate/destroy/meet a contact or destroy a couple of boxes, it became quite boring after the first 20 times I had to do it, and especially tedious when they are used as padding between the main story missions.”
“You go to the same areas constantly, fighting the same enemies with the same spawn placements and the same music for the overwhelming majority of the game, and much like 'Young Blood', it's tedious and boring.”
- optimization17 mentions
- 18 % positive mentions
- 41 % neutral mentions
- 41 % negative mentions
The game's optimization is a mixed bag, with many players reporting significant bugs, performance issues, and janky combat mechanics that detract from the overall experience. While some users have noted improvements after adjusting graphic settings and appreciate ongoing patches, others still encounter stuttering, animation issues, and inconsistent performance, particularly on larger maps. Overall, the game feels clunky and requires further optimization to enhance playability.
“Sure you lose shadow teleport, but the game feels more optimized, less buggy, and kills feel satisfying.”
“Performance is rock solid.”
“Performance is great, no bugs so far, and the music and graphics are fantastic.”
“Combat in this game is poorly optimized and very janky.”
“Repetitive missions and buggy performance make it a hassle to play through.”
“This game is clunky and troublesome to move around in at times, and I have it stuttering sometimes, especially in combat with the AI.”
- replayability16 mentions
- 38 % positive mentions
- 44 % neutral mentions
- 19 % negative mentions
Overall, the game offers a mix of replayability, with various secrets and customization options enhancing the experience. While some players find the replay value diminishes after collecting everything, others appreciate the replayable mission system and the flexibility in playstyles. Updates and additional modes further contribute to its replayability, making it enjoyable for both solo and multiplayer sessions.
“Various secrets help unlock more customization items, the arsenal is gradually expanding so there's plenty of replay value.”
“It's faster-paced and uses a replayable mission system with varying difficulty.”
“These two aspects alone make Aragami 2 a much deeper experience (also adding to the replayability) where you can switch between different playstyles all while personalizing your Aragami.”
“Replay value: I could see myself playing this again in the future, but as of now, seeing no option for a new game plus, it gets a little boring after collecting everything I needed.”
“And after you got every item in the game, there is no replay value, except having fun.”
“It has a lot of replay value thus far as just under four hours I am only on mission 8 (collectible hunting, getting all three awards and S rank) and seems to be many more missions ahead.”
- atmosphere14 mentions
- 43 % positive mentions
- 36 % neutral mentions
- 21 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game has received mixed reviews, with some praising its engaging design, music, and replayability, while others criticize the loss of the original's unique stylization and charm, particularly in day missions. Players appreciate the stealth mechanics and the classic mode that retains the original atmosphere, but many feel that the shift towards a more generic experience detracts from the immersive qualities that defined the first installment. Overall, while the game offers a solid stealth experience, it struggles to fully capture the atmospheric depth of its predecessor.
“The developers did an outstanding job with the atmosphere, and the music is spot on.”
“Good atmosphere and exactly what you want from a stealth game; it seems to have replay value too, since you can do missions in different modes.”
“Shadow powers, an intriguing story, engaging atmosphere, a neat combat system, and some character customization.”
“The game loses nearly all its charm and atmosphere in the day missions.”
“So many lost mechanics, an abandoned atmosphere; the game puts aside the story side and focuses only on the gameplay part, while trying to lead to a multiplayer experience without providing tools for real cooperation.”
“The game lacks the atmosphere of Aragami 1; the graphics and music don't create the sense of melancholy or mystery.”
- emotional10 mentions
- 90 % positive mentions
- -20 % neutral mentions
- 30 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is mixed, with some players finding the story touching and impactful, despite its weaker lore compared to the first installment. While the gameplay shifts away from the original's unique mechanics, many appreciate the new characters and the ability to approach missions in various ways, evoking a range of feelings from excitement to sadness. Overall, the game resonates emotionally with players, even if it diverges from its predecessor.
“It traded its unique focus on shadows and avoiding light gameplay for something more contemporary, which is heartbreaking.”
“But the story is still touching and it had the same impact on me as the first one. I loved this game so much; while it has different characters from the first, it is still as good. A lot of people complain about how this game is worse than the first, but I disagree because this game is not supposed to be like the first one; it is its own game, with its own characters and story.”
“- Lore weak but yet really touching story that sometimes actually makes you want to drop tears.”
“The story is boring, and you can't even restart a mission unless you die twice.”
“The emotional impact of the game is lacking, making it hard to connect with the characters.”
“I felt no attachment to the storyline; it failed to evoke any real emotions.”
- character development5 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 60 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is mixed; while some players appreciate the customizable fashion choices and the depth of Yahiko's character, others criticize the overall lack of engaging story and repetitive mission formats that fail to advance character arcs meaningfully. The character designs are noted as similar to previous titles, leading to a sense of familiarity rather than innovation.
“Absolutely loved the character designs and customizable fashion choices.”
“There is character development on Yahiko which makes you care about her and why you need to help her.”
“This is not another Aragami; it is just another game with a similar character design from the same maker.”
“Other than a similar main character design and some teleporting mechanics, just about everything else is different.”
“There is character development for Yahiko, which makes you care about her and understand why you need to help her.”
- monetization5 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The monetization of Aragami 2 is criticized as a blatant cash grab, with developers prioritizing profit over quality by reusing assets and failing to deliver on advertised features. Players feel misled by marketing that promises a tactical combat experience, only to encounter frustrating mechanics and a lack of polish, particularly in multiplayer functionality. Overall, the game's monetization strategy is seen as exploitative, undermining its potential enjoyment.
“Aragami 2 is an uninspired cash grab by a developer trying to squeeze as much money as they can out of an existing IP and assets.”
“Cash grab, resources went into graphics to remove core gameplay.”
“The devs don't love it, they don't want it to be as good as it can easily be, and they are only out to anger and frustrate their players with the world's most annoying mechanics stuffed in one game, making any fun it could have been, and is lied about in advertising to entice you, completely nullified.”
Critic Reviews
Aragami 2 review
Aragami 2 is wonderful when you're being a ninja, but one-on-one encounters are poor, and a lack of variety lets it down.
70%Aragami 2 Review - The Only Things You Can't Sneak Around Are Bugs And Bad Pacing
Aragami 2 could be a good stealth game, with a good foundation of stealth gameplay and even an intriguing story, but it is plagued by constant bugs, performance issues, poor level design, pacing, rough implementation of gameplay mechanics and a visual style that only further serves to make its flaws even more evident then they already are.
40%Aragami 2 Review – Assassinating Expectations
A sequel that gets things right and wrong, Aragami 2 continues to refine its core gameplay mechanics but loses the soul of what made the first game so striking and refreshing.
60%