Jade Cocoon 2
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Jade Cocoon 2 | |
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Developer(s) | Genki |
Publisher(s) | Ubisoft, Genki |
Distributor(s) | Genki |
Platform(s) | PlayStation 2 |
Release date | August 30, 2001 (Japan) December 17, 2001 (America) Jun 14, 2002 (Europe) |
Genre(s) | RPG |
Mode(s) | Single player, multiplayer |
Rating(s) | ESRB Teen (13+) |
Media | DVD-ROM |
System requirements | Memory card |
Input methods | DualShock 2 |
Jade Cocoon 2 (玉繭物語2 Tamamayu Monogatari Tsū?) is a 2001 role-playing video game for the PlayStation 2 and the second iteration in the Jade Cocoon series by Genki. The game features a full 3D polygonal world, 200 cutscenes, and full voice-overs. The character designs for the game were by Katsuya Kondō, character designer for the first game as well as the Studio Ghibli films Kiki's Delivery Service and I Can Hear the Sea.
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[edit] Plot
Jade Cocoon 2's plot occurs sometime after the events in the original Jade Cocoon. The time of the Nagi people and "cocoon masters" has ceased to exist. New "cocoon masters" are now cited as "beasthunters" and are the prominent force of monster raising, with the player playing one named Kahu who visits the Temple of Kemuel in the hopes of becoming a beasthunter and having adventures like the old cocoon masters he's idolized. However, Kahu encounters trouble during his license exam required to become a full-fledged beast-hunter. He encounters a young fairy named Nico, who leaves Kahu cursed, and he's given a very short time to live before his body is consumed by evil. Fortunately, Kemuel Temple's resident guardian, Levant - the hero of the original Jade Cocoon - offers Kahu a chance to heal himself. By utilizing the four magical orbs found in the heart of the elemental forests and a dark lute, Levant will be able to save Kahu's life. Kahu now sets off on his adventure, to save himself and eventually, the world.[1]
[edit] Gameplay
Jade Cocoon 2, like its predecessor, is a core role-playing game, where the player interacts with NPC's, explores new areas with more powerful enemies and increases the statistics of Kahu, the game's protagonist.
However, unique to Jade Cocoon 2 and its prior iteration is its concentration on engaging and raising monsters. Managing monsters and raising is done with a mechanic called a "beast amulet". Another unique feature found in the original game is the ability to merge beasts together. [1] There are four elemental sides to the beast amulet, each one covering three beasts. They consist of Fire, Earth, Wind and Water, and are designated to each monster inserted in each "slot". Battles are carried out with presses of the left and right, L1 and R1, or the analog stick inputs, causing the beast to attack in the respective element (this can also be determined by the monster's "personality", see below). Each element also has special weaknesses to another, with fire defeating water, earth defeating fire, wind defeating earth and water defeating wind.
Battles are encountered in basic fashion, with the player running into wild monsters to battle and add to their repertoire, and "rival beasthunters" who raise and develop monsters like the player.
Like most other monster-raising games, success in battle depends on developing a powerful and diverse team as well as paying special care to monster raising. Raising monsters can be achieved in a variety of ways, raising them from an egg stage, and merging different organisms and attacks together. The game also supports simultaneous battle as well, with another player pitting their team against the other.[2]
[edit] References
- ^ a b Jade Cocoon 2 Review, GameSpot, January 3, 2002
- ^ Jade Cocoon 2 Gameplay FAQ, GameFAQs, January 3, 2002