Release Date: February 25, 1999
The second part of a series of strategy games with elements of RPG and life simulation, in which we play the role of a beginner trainer of title monsters. Our task is to acquire new specimens and gradually increase their combat potential, so that they can win new victories during turn-based battles on the arena.
Monster Rancher 2 is the second installment of a series of strategy games with elements of RPG and life simulation developed by Tecmo (currently Koei Tecmo).
Monster Rancher 2 takes place in the same universe as the events presented in the original; however, the game takes us on a journey to a new continent. In the course of the game, we play the role of a beginner trainer of the title monsters, who in the company of his assistant - Colt - gradually climbs the career ladder, sending the won creatures to fight in the arenas.
Just like in the first installment of the series, the gameplay in Monster Rancher 2 focuses on breeding the eponymous creatures, which were differentiated in terms of appearance and combat effectiveness (described by a set of statistics). The potential of each of them can be increased by feeding it with various delicacies, training them (it is worth remembering not poverdo it, because it is easy to achieve an opposite effect) or by sending it to have paid lessons under the supervision of masters. The creature prepared in this way can then be sent on the arena - clashes take place in turn-based mode, and our role is limited to issuing commands; the list of available moves and attacks (the execution of which uses up the bar of gradually regenerating energy) differs depending on the current position occupied by our charges. The winner is the monster who has more life points at the end of the battle or the one who is able to knock out the opponent.
Of course, in the course of the game we are not forced to rely on a single monster. We get new specimens both during story events and during the aformentioned lessons. In addition, as in the first installment of the series, there is nothing to prevent us from taking advantage of the possibility of obtaining a new creature from the data stored on any CD; those who want to import a saved game state from the previous installment also welcome to do so.
Monster Rancher 2 is based on the technology that powered the earlier installment of the series, so the visuals present a similar level of quality.
Platforms:
PlayStation 1
Developer: Koei Tecmo
Publisher: Koei Tecmo
Age restrictions: none
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