Zwei!!

63%
Game Brain Score Based on 134 reviews
  • music
  • gameplay
  • story
Zwei!! Game Cover
Although the two-dimentional visuals in Zwei: The Arges Adventure differentiate itself from its sequel, the game retains a lot of the depth and plot that made the other so good.
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"Zwei!!" is a single-player fantasy RPG with stunning visuals and a good soundtrack. Pokkle and Pipiro, two step-siblings, embark on a journey to retrieve six stolen holy idols and uncover a sinister plot. The game is known for its heavy grinding and comedic, light-hearted tone.

  • PC
  • Windows
  • Play​Station
  • Play​station 2
  • PSP
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

63%
Audience ScoreBased on 134 reviews
music35 positive mentions
grinding32 negative mentions
  • The game features charming sprites and environments, creating a visually appealing experience.
  • The soundtrack is catchy and enjoyable, enhancing the overall atmosphere of the game.
  • The unique leveling system, which involves gaining experience by eating food dropped by enemies, adds an interesting twist to the gameplay.
  • The combat can feel clunky and unresponsive, making it difficult to line up attacks and avoid enemy hits.
  • The localization is inconsistent, with some dialogue feeling out of place and referencing outdated memes.
  • The game can become tedious due to its grindy nature, requiring players to repeatedly clear dungeons to level up effectively.
  • music59 mentions

    The music in the game has received widespread acclaim, with many praising its beautiful and memorable soundtracks, which include both original and arranged versions. Players appreciate the diverse acoustic styles and strong melodies characteristic of Falcom's sound team, often describing the music as a standout feature that enhances the overall experience. While some reviews note that not all tracks harmonize perfectly with the gameplay, the majority find the soundtrack to be fantastic and integral to the game's charm.

    • “The music is fantastic, with the option to toggle between the original and an arranged version from several years later.”
    • “The remastered soundtrack is beautiful; it always cheers me up, especially the village/town music.”
    • “You can freely switch between the original soundtrack and the arranged version.”
    • “Great artwork and music but awful and clunky gameplay.”
    • “While the game is cute and the music is happy enough, I find this game incredibly hard to play.”
    • “The music is up to Falcom standards; it’s not as intense as something like Ys, but it fits the breezy nature of the game.”
  • gameplay59 mentions

    Gameplay in this title is characterized by its fast-paced, twitchy mechanics and unique leveling system that relies on consuming food rather than defeating enemies. While some players appreciate the charm and humor of the game, many criticize the repetitive nature of the gameplay, outdated mechanics, and lack of depth, leading to a mixed reception overall. Despite its engaging dungeons and combat, the gameplay is often described as flawed and lacking in visual feedback, making it a less enjoyable experience for some players.

    • “Overall a pretty decent old-school JRPG with some new game mechanics, like leveling only through food and not through fights.”
    • “But once you get the hang of the combat and the gameplay loops and more magic for Pipiro, you'll find a delightful dungeon crawler that is filled with fun dungeons and engaging combat, which adds up to an addicting gameplay.”
    • “You'll find a motley assortment of classic, tricky dungeon-crawling adventure, fast and simple action mechanics, and a richly-produced world full of bonkers characters and secrets galore.”
    • “Very tired mechanic and makes it annoying and sucks the fun out of the game, as the main thing here is that you level up through food, so you have to replay levels to get your food in order to level up!”
    • “The story, setting, and writing have a ton of charm, but the gameplay and UI are shockingly bad on controller, keyboard, or mouse.”
    • “If you’re in a hurry and want a quick overview, pretty much everything about the game is good except for the gameplay, which treads the line between mediocre and messy.”
  • story57 mentions

    The story in this game is generally viewed as generic and cliched, typical of many JRPGs, but it features charming characters and engaging dialogue that help elevate the experience. While the plot lacks depth and originality, the quirky interactions and character development provide a light-hearted and enjoyable narrative. Overall, the writing and character dynamics are appreciated, even if the overarching story feels unremarkable.

    • “The story, setting, and writing have a ton of charm, but the gameplay and UI are shockingly bad on controller, keyboard, or mouse.”
    • “The plot isn’t amazing but it does its job and keeps itself light-hearted to support the funny dialogue.”
    • “In typical Falcom fashion, NPCs are all unique and have little stories that unfold as the main story progresses, giving you good reason to constantly talk to everyone to hear new conversations.”
    • “The story is pretty unremarkable and follows well-trodden JRPG tropes of elemental crystals and elemental spirits.”
    • “The characters are bland, the story is nothing special, and after doing two or three dungeons, it feels like you saw everything the game has to offer.”
    • “The story is generic, but that's sadly par for the course for most JRPGs.”
  • graphics47 mentions

    The graphics of the game are characterized by a charming and cute art style that many players find appealing, with vibrant and colorful visuals that evoke a whimsical atmosphere. However, some reviews note that the graphics can appear dated or pixelated, reflecting the game's older origins, which may not resonate with all players. Overall, while the visuals are generally praised for their beauty and creativity, there are mixed opinions regarding their execution and the clunky gameplay associated with them.

    • “The graphics are cute and wholesome.”
    • “Beautiful artwork throughout.”
    • “Zwei also features a very, very cute art style and a gorgeous arranged soundtrack, which really elevates the game in my opinion!”
    • “Old style FMVs and graphics may not be favorable to all players.”
    • “It might not be surprising to some people, but the in-game visuals are blurry due to their old age.”
    • “Absolutely no options whatsoever on the graphical end, aside from some butchered Steam commands.”
  • grinding32 mentions

    The game is widely criticized for its excessive grinding, which many players find tedious and frustrating, often detracting from the overall experience. While some players may appreciate the grind typical of JRPGs, the lack of engaging gameplay and storyline makes it feel more like a chore than a rewarding challenge. Overall, the grinding mechanics are seen as a significant flaw, making the game less appealing to both casual and hardcore players.

    • “All in all, this game is extremely grindy, and the storyline is very cringe-worthy.”
    • “It's just boring and grindy, and it feels like it was made by programming novices.”
    • “It's far from unplayable, but the focus on grinding and lack of plot-driven exploration makes it seem more like a way to kill a significant portion of time than a game to be appreciated on its own merits.”
  • humor29 mentions

    The humor in the game is characterized by a lighthearted and charming tone, with many players appreciating the funny dialogues and quirky characters. However, some reviews note that the humor can be overly forced or reliant on outdated internet references, detracting from the overall experience. While the localization has its amusing moments, it sometimes feels excessively silly, leading to mixed reactions among players.

    • “The dialogues are pretty funny.”
    • “Coupled with gorgeous soundtracks, great worldbuilding, hilarious characters and dialogues, and you've got a fun-filled experience of a game.”
    • “The writing swings between funny and lightly serious, the hand-drawn visuals look impressively good.”
    • “It's old, grindy, and contains super unfunny humor everywhere.”
    • “The jokes feel stale and lack any real wit or creativity.”
    • “I found the humor to be forced and often cringeworthy.”
  • emotional4 mentions

    Players find the game emotionally engaging due to its cute and wholesome graphics, alongside heartwarming interactions with interesting NPCs and dialogues. The game's ability to maintain interest without boredom further enhances its emotional appeal, making players eager to continue exploring its world.

    • “Unlike a lot of dungeon crawlers and similar games I have played, this one never made me feel bored in the slightest.”
    • “There are lots of interesting NPCs and dialogues; I kind of want to keep playing just for how heartwarming they all are.”
  • character development4 mentions

    Character development in the game is enriched by a vast script that allows for extensive dialogue from quirky NPCs, providing insights into the characters and their relationships, particularly through humorous interactions reminiscent of classic sibling dynamics. While some players may not favor the character designs, the depth of character interactions and world-building is well-received, enhancing the overall experience.

    • “Zwei follows the Trails tradition of a massive script where any minor story beat triggers tons of new dialogue from the quirky NPCs, giving character development, tidbits about the world, or just some funny back-and-forth bickering from Pipiro and Pokkle—someone at Falcom really likes bickering step-siblings, by the way, because there is mad Joshua/Estelle energy here.”
    • “The character design and music reminded me a lot of Touhou, which made it even better as a huge Touhou fan.”
    • “Not too much a fan of the character design, but everything else is well done.”
    • “Zwei follows the tradition of a massive script where any minor story beat triggers tons of new dialogue from the quirky NPCs, giving character development, tidbits about the world, or just some funny back-and-forth bickering from Pipiro and Pokkle—someone at Falcom really likes bickering step-siblings, by the way, because there is mad Joshua/Estelle energy here.”
  • atmosphere2 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is praised for its charming art style, delightful music, and a cozy ambiance, complemented by humorous character interactions and an engaging story. While the overall vibe is positive, some players note that the combat mechanics feel slightly janky.

    • “Loving the music, the art style, the comfy atmosphere, the silly character interactions, and the comedy in general.”
    • “Lovely music, charming atmosphere and story, slightly janky combat.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

61% average critic score

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Play time

3hMedian play time
3hAverage play time
3-3hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 1 analyzed playthroughs

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