Toukiden 2

The story of Toukiden 2 receives praise for its engaging world-building, accessible narrative, and creative elements that expand the series’ universe. Critics like Atomix highlight the game’s “engaging narrative” that builds on its predecessor with new mysteries, time travel, and Machina technology, while CGMagazine notes the effective introduction of lore for newcomers. The open-world format, as mentioned by Destructoid, enhances world-building by connecting locations meaningfully, and Worth Playing commends the “cohesive plot” and “fuller world” despite its time-travel mechanics. Additionally, COGconnected and GameOver.gr appreciate the approachable storytelling, with the latter praising the “hub village” and character development. The game’s focus on political tensions in Mahoroba Village and the protagonist’s amnesia is seen as a compelling framework by several reviewers, including Push Square and RPG Site, who note its well-paced setup. However, many critics criticize the story for relying on clichés, underdeveloped characters, and lack of originality. Eurogamer Italy and IGN Spain describe the narrative as “unoriginal,” with generic characters and “familiar tropes” reminiscent of Dynasty Warriors. Hardcore Gamer points out “generic dialogue” and “underdeveloped narrative conflicts,” while Gamers’ Temple criticizes the “cheesy and trite” dialogue that undermines the story. The reliance on amnesia as a plot device is also seen as overused, with PlayStation LifeStyle noting it as “tired” despite self-awareness. Additionally, GameWatcher dismisses the “futile politics of feuding families,” arguing they detract from gameplay, and GamingTrend finds the story “lacks depth or significant engagement.” The narrative’s failure to fully explore its mythological and historical themes is another recurring issue, with Metro GameCentral calling it “not very compelling.” Overall, critics agree that Toukiden 2’s story is functional and engaging but falls short of being groundbreaking. While 3DJuegos acknowledges its “interest and depth,” many reviewers like IGN Spain and Eurogamer Italy feel it treads familiar ground without innovation. The game’s strengths lie in its accessible storytelling, open-world exploration, and world-building, as highlighted by Worth Playing and CGMagazine, but these are often overshadowed by repetitive tropes and underdeveloped characters. Despite mixed opinions on originality, the narrative is generally seen as a solid foundation for the game’s action-focused gameplay, with GRYOnline.pl praising its “unexpected depth” and ZTGD noting its “engaging” nature despite some pacing issues. The consensus leans toward it being a competent but unremarkable entry in the series, balancing commendable elements with persistent flaws.

The gameplay of Toukiden 2 is widely praised for its innovative mechanics, variety, and improvements over its predecessor. Critics highlight the introduction of an open-world design, which allows seamless exploration and reduces the monotony of traditional hunting games (Destructoid, COGconnected). The Demon Hand mechanic, enabling dynamic traversal and combat, is frequently lauded for adding depth and flexibility to both movement and battle strategies (3DJuegos, DualShockers). Weapon variety is another standout feature, with new additions like the chain whip, sword/shield, and bows offering diverse playstyles (CGMagazine, Vandal). Cooperative multiplayer is consistently celebrated as a major strength, with fluid execution and social features enhancing the experience (3DJuegos, ZTGD). Additionally, systems like the Mitama equipment upgrades and customizable missions provide players with strategic depth and progression (COGconnected, Gaming Nexus). However, several critics point to repetitive elements and design flaws that detract from the experience. Mission repetition is a recurring issue, with some noting fetch quests and tedious enemy purification tasks that feel grindy (CGMagazine, RPG Site). The Demon Hand mechanic, while innovative, is criticized for being underutilized or ineffective in certain contexts (PlayStation Universe, GamingTrend). Combat mechanics also face scrutiny: God is a Geek describes the system as rigid with slow animations and unsatisfying attacks, while DarkZero argues the game lacks depth compared to Monster Hunter and becomes repetitive over time. Movement controls are another pain point, with GamingTrend highlighting awkward mid-sprint stops and PlayStation Universe noting flawed map navigation. These issues, combined with a steep learning curve and balancing problems (GRYOnline.pl, Eurogamer Italy), create friction for some players. Overall, the consensus among critics is that Toukiden 2 successfully modernizes its core gameplay with open-world exploration, new mechanics, and cooperative play, but struggles to fully realize its potential. While many praise its ambition and variety—such as Hardcore Gamer’s emphasis on tactical limb-severing and Push Square’s acknowledgment of dynamic battles—the game’s repetitive elements and technical shortcomings (e.g., clunky controls, underdeveloped systems) prevent it from being a flawless experience. Despite these flaws, the title is seen as a step forward for the series, with critics like IGN Spain and Vandal noting its improvements over previous entries. The mixed reception reflects a balance between innovation and execution, leaving players divided on whether the game’s strengths outweigh its weaknesses.

The graphics and visual design of Toukiden 2 received mixed praise, with several critics highlighting its artistic strengths and environmental creativity. Reviewers like 3DJuegos and Atomix noted the game’s consistent Japanese-inspired art direction, emphasizing the detailed monster aesthetics and Hidari’s character designs, which align with the series’ established style. CGMagazine praised the organic quest flow of the open world, while COGconnected and GamingTrend appreciated the color pop, flashy battle effects, and visually striking cutscenes. Push Square highlighted the diverse and "visually stunning" environments of the Otherworld, and Twinfinite commended the traditional Japanese imagery and Miasma’s atmospheric rendering. These positives underscore the game’s commitment to a cohesive aesthetic, even if it occasionally leans on stylistic choices to mask technical limitations. However, the negatives were more pronounced, with many critics pointing to outdated graphics, repetitive environments, and performance issues. Eurogamer Italy and Multiplayer.it criticized sparse, low-poly landscapes and stiff animations, while GRYOnline.pl and Video Chums described the visuals as resembling PlayStation 3-era quality, with flat textures and unimpressive environments. IGN Italia and RPG Site called the art direction "dull" and "unconvincing," citing poor monster design and limited environmental variety. Destructoid noted that while the PS4 version improved on the Vita’s performance, the environments felt plain, and Worth Playing criticized the locked 30fps frame rate and texture issues. These critiques collectively paint a picture of a game hindered by technical constraints, particularly its origins on older hardware, which limited its ability to fully leverage the PlayStation 4’s capabilities. Overall, the consensus among critics was that Toukiden 2’s visual design is a mixed bag, balancing artistic charm with technical shortcomings. While 3DJuegos, Hobby Consolas, and Twinfinite celebrated its unique art style and monster designs, many others, including Eurogamer Italy, IGN Italia, and GRYOnline.pl, felt the game fell short of modern standards due to repetitive environments, dated graphics, and performance issues. The PS4 version saw improvements over the Vita port, as noted by Gamers’ Temple and Destructoid, but these upgrades were not enough to elevate the visuals beyond "mid-tier" or "functional." Ultimately, the game’s visual identity was seen as a product of its technical limitations rather than a standout achievement, with praise for specific elements like monster aesthetics and environmental variety often overshadowed by broader criticisms of polish and innovation.

The sound design and music of Toukiden 2 received generally positive feedback for their atmospheric cohesion and cultural authenticity. Critics like 3DJuegos praised the soundtrack as "convincing, well-composed, and immersive," emphasizing its ability to enhance the game’s medieval Japanese aesthetic. GameOver.gr highlighted traditional Japanese melodies from Omega Force, which they felt effectively contributed to the game’s immersive atmosphere. Similarly, RPG Site noted that the music balanced calm town scenes with intense battle tracks, creating a dynamic auditory experience. Worth Playing commended the orchestral soundtrack for its expanded scale compared to the first game, while GRYOnline.pl appreciated the high-quality Japanese voice acting, which added depth to the narrative. These reviews underscore the soundtrack’s success in reinforcing the game’s thematic and cultural identity. However, several critics found the music lacking in memorability and originality. LaPS4 and GameWatcher both described the soundtrack as "unremarkable" and "not particularly memorable," with the latter criticizing its lack of impactful compositions. GamingTrend noted that the traditional Japanese tracks felt "chopped-up" and failed to resonate personally, while Vandal mentioned folklore-inspired melodies but offered no specific praise for their execution. Additionally, technical issues with audio presentation were highlighted: COGconnected and DarkZero criticized untranslated non-story dialogue and the absence of subtitles in multiplayer interactions, which they felt undermined immersion. Video Chums also pointed out the lack of English voice acting in the NA version as a drawback, despite acknowledging the music’s functional role in setting the tone. Overall, the consensus among critics is that Toukiden 2’s sound design and music are competent and thematically aligned with its world-building, but they fall short of being exceptional or groundbreaking. While 3DJuegos, GameOver.gr, and RPG Site celebrated the soundtrack’s atmospheric contributions, others like GamingTrend and LaPS4 found it derivative or unmemorable. The technical shortcomings in audio presentation—such as subtitle omissions and limited voice acting—were also noted as areas for improvement. Despite these criticisms, the music and sound design collectively support the game’s action-oriented gameplay and cultural aesthetic, earning it a mixed but generally favorable reception.

The voice acting in Toukiden 2 receives generally positive feedback from several critics, particularly highlighting the quality of its Japanese audio. Destructoid praises the "seasoned actors" delivering strong performances that enhance immersion, while GameOver.gr describes the voiceovers as "καλοδουλεμένα" (well-done) and notes the involvement of known actors. GRYOnline.pl and RPG Site also commend the high-quality Japanese voice acting, with the latter emphasizing its consistency and effectiveness in matching anime-style expectations. Worth Playing similarly applauds the professional delivery, stating it aligns with typical anime conventions. These critiques underscore that the Japanese voice work is a standout element, contributing to the game’s atmospheric depth despite its lack of English localization. However, several critics point out significant drawbacks related to accessibility and presentation. Eurogamer Italy and Multiplayer.it criticize the absence of voice acting for characters, noting that their lips do not move during dialogue, which detracts from immersion. Vandal highlights that some combat dialogue lacks subtitles, making it difficult to follow companions’ lines, while Video Chums expresses disappointment over the lack of English voice acting, calling it a "disappointment" despite acknowledging the original language’s authenticity. RPG Site also notes the absence of subtitles for non-critical dialogue, limiting accessibility for players unfamiliar with Japanese. These critiques collectively emphasize that while the voice work itself is strong, its presentation and localization choices create barriers for broader audiences. The overall consensus among critics is mixed but leans toward appreciation for the Japanese voice acting’s quality, tempered by frustrations over limited English support. While Destructoid, GameOver.gr, and GRYOnline.pl celebrate the seasoned performances and immersive qualities of the original audio, others like Eurogamer Italy and Video Chums stress the importance of accessibility. The lack of English dubs or comprehensive subtitles remains a recurring issue, with Vandal and RPG Site pointing out specific gaps in communication during gameplay. Despite these criticisms, most agree that the Japanese voice acting is professionally executed and enhances the game’s aesthetic, even if its exclusivity to non-English speakers limits its reach. This balance between praise for quality and critique of localization highlights a nuanced reception among reviewers.

The technical performance of Toukiden 2 across its platforms shows a mix of strengths, with notable positives for each system. On PS4, reviewers like 3DJuegos and COGconnected highlight stable performance, smooth action sequences, and consistent frame rates (e.g., 1080p30fps as noted by DarkZero) despite occasional minor issues. RPG Site and Hardcore Gamer praise the seamless open world and lack of crashes, while Push Square acknowledges improvements in traversal and load times. For PC, GameWatcher commends stable frame rates on specified hardware, and Vandal notes smooth 60fps performance, suggesting better optimization for higher-end systems. The Vita version, though less polished, is deemed playable by Destructoid, with some improvements in open-world design compared to earlier entries. Negatives are more pronounced across platforms, particularly on PS4, where critics like Eurogamer Italy and IGN Italia criticize low-quality visuals, stiff animations, and poor optimization due to cross-gen development. Issues such as pop-in characters (GameOver.gr), camera glitches (Worth Playing, Vandal), and unresponsive mechanics (GamingTrend) are frequently mentioned. The Vita version faces steeper challenges: Destructoid notes mid-20s FPS in some scenarios, while DualShockers highlights touch-screen limitations. On PC, Everyeye.it points to glitches and a stiff combat system, though GameWatcher acknowledges smooth performance on compatible hardware. These flaws often detract from the experience, particularly for players seeking polish or higher graphical fidelity. Overall, critics agree that Toukiden 2 is technically stable but hindered by its origins on less powerful hardware, leading to compromises in optimization and visuals. While PS4 and PC versions receive mixed reviews—favoring stability over polish—Vita struggles with performance limitations. The game’s technical shortcomings are often framed as trade-offs for its ambitious open-world design, with some reviewers like RPG Site and Hardcore Gamer emphasizing that core mechanics remain functional despite flaws. However, the consensus leans toward the title being a solid but imperfect experience, with cross-gen development and platform-specific limitations casting a shadow over its technical execution.

The majority of critics highlight Toukiden 2’s strong replayability through its robust features such as weapon customization, open-world exploration, and cooperative play. 3DJuegos emphasizes the game’s numerous missions, weapon variety, and co-op mechanics as key contributors to its longevity, while COGconnected praises the depth in combat, quests, and character interactions for fans of the genre. Destructoid and DualShockers note the game’s extensive content, with the latter mentioning over 130 hours of playtime due to varied missions and exploration. God is a Geek and Push Square also commend the inclusion of side quests, dungeons, online co-op (Joint Operations), and hidden content like Reliquaries, which encourage repeated engagement. Additionally, Hardcore Gamer highlights the game’s customization options, including weapon crafting and mitama spirit upgrades, as incentives for multiple playthroughs. These elements collectively create a foundation for sustained interest, particularly for players who enjoy deep systems and collaborative gameplay. However, several critics point to repetitive mechanics and design flaws that detract from long-term appeal. Atomix and Eurogamer Italy note that mission structures and gameplay loops can become monotonous, reducing engagement over time despite the game’s positive reception. GamingTrend suggests the lack of compelling reasons to revisit the game, while PlayStation Universe criticizes the absence of meaningful rewards for repeat playthroughs. We Got This Covered highlights the game’s easy difficulty and lack of post-story challenges, arguing that its straightforward nature diminishes replayability. GameWatcher adds that weak storytelling and repetitive quests further limit appeal, though online multiplayer offers some redemption. These critiques reveal a tension between the game’s expansive content and its reliance on familiar tropes that may frustrate players seeking innovation or depth. Overall, critics agree that Toukiden 2 has substantial replayability due to its open-world design, customization options, and co-op features, but these positives are tempered by repetitive elements and structural shortcomings. GameCritics and Hardcore Gamer acknowledge improvements in the open world and reduced repetition compared to predecessors, while Worth Playing and ZTGD emphasize the game’s appeal to genre fans through its variety of activities. However, RPG Site and Everyeye.it note that the open-world elements lack depth, and Gaming Nexus highlights that repetitive combat and lengthy boss fights may alienate some players. While the consensus leans toward strong replayability for enthusiasts, the game’s limitations in innovation and reward systems prevent it from achieving exceptional longevity. The balance of praise and criticism reflects a title that is engaging but not without its flaws.