New Japan Pro Wrestling 2 Toukon Retsuden 2
Reviewed by Jeremy Peeples
This is a review of Touken Retsuden 2 for the Sony
Playstation. The game was created by Yukes (the maker of WWF
Wmackdown) and was manufactured by Tomy. This game was
relesed in late 1996 and contains numerous features that
haven't been used in U. S. wrestling games (i. e. the realistic
blood flow; you bled differently depending on where you are
hit and what you are hit with, it is the most realistic
bloodflow yet in any game.) This game is much like the first
in the series but it adds many new features (i. e many more
wrestlers (including Chris Benoit), many more moves (like the
top-rope tombstone piledriver or powerslam and other moves
that have not benn seen in other wrestling games),and a new
running grapple (running while pressing triangle allowed you
to do spinning cradles while circle alowed tackles), it also
featured better much better graphics than the first game in
the series.) Now to the review.
Graphics-10/10-The animation is smooth and the game's speed
never slows down (even w/ 4 wrestlers and a ref on-screen.)
The game also featured better looking wrestlers and
arenas (the shading and lighting really helped the graphics,
the flashbulb effect is amazing (the same one that is seen
seen in WWF Smackdown.) Other small touches help the
realism (Muta's mist stains the face and the blood is very
realistic even though the mist blocks it.)
Sound-7/10-The pre-match announcing is clear as are the
ref's commands, unfortunately the in-game music is annoying
and repetitious (thankfully it doesn't affect the game too
much.)
Controls-8/10-For the most part they are crisp but with some
moves they are sluggish (it doesn't detract from the game
much and only occurs with a few moves (mostly dizzy
grapples), the new running grapples can be done easily oddly
enough. The controls are the best so far for wrestling games
on the PlayStation.
Replay Value-9/10-This game has many unique features that
help it in the long run including the many hidden wrestlers
and older versions of existing wrestlers, as well as the
game's many modes of play (i. e. battle royale, Grand Prix
etc.), it also has an easy tracking system for tag-matches
and batlle royale mode (in my opinion it's much better than
the one in WWF Smackdown.)
Overall-9/10-This game is true gem for wrestling fans and
deserves to be played, trust me you will not be
disappointed. The language barrier isn't much of a problem,
FAQ's can be found to help you and the menus are rather
straightforward.
