

There’s just enough gameplay variables to stave off the repetitive nature of missions. You’ll often return to the same levels with different tasks, which changes enemy placements and sometimes expands the map – so you’re always faced with something new despite being in the same environment. Missions vary from eliminating targets, rescuing captives, or swiping supplies, but the crux of the gameplay is sneaking around, taking out guards and escaping.

You select a quest, assemble items like health potions and smoke bombs, before jumping into the designated level. The story isn’t an essential component of Aragami’s appeal, but it does feel like a wasted opportunity especially as you return to the village after every mission, with little charm and few compelling characters to spice up repeat visits.Īragami 2’s structure is largely built on this repetition.
#ARAGAMI 2 SWITCH UPGRADE#
There’s occasional cut scenes, but you’ll mostly digest lore through brief, perfunctory text exchanges with characters around the hub village – where you pick up quests, customise your ninja and upgrade abilities. You don’t need prior context to follow Aragami 2’s story, but the sequel puts little effort into selling the narrative. This is one of many adjustments in Aragami 2 which aims to build upon the original’s scope and broaden accessibility, but by sanding off its quirkier edges some of the original’s personality has been lost in the process. You’re no longer teleporting from shadow to shadow, trying to avoid light sources which drain shadow essence, but moving around sandbox levels freely at the mercy of a brief cooldown. Released in 2016, the third person action stealth title from developer Lince Works is considered one of the better ninja sims of recent years, with stylish cel-shaded visuals and satisfying stealth mechanics, where darkness was vital for slinking through the environment to get the perfect kill.įor the sequel, hiding in the dark isn’t a priority. The original Aragami was all about sticking to the shadows.

Ninja sim Aragami undergoes a major overhaul in this expansive sequel, but changes to the formula don’t always benefit the art of assassination. One step forward, two steps back (Picture: Lince Works)
