...Love FZ Axis for the Megadrive which is why I got it, although I realize they are completely different games. Do you have Final Zone for the Genesis? It's one of my favorite games on the system.
They are such different games, and FZII for our beloved PCE is totally lame IMO. Music is great, the story/cinemas are actually decent (for me, anyway), but the game itself is so uninspired, generic, with poor controls, boring stage design, etc. etc.
Had they nailed the controls (responsive, easy-to-control characters), this game would be kinda fun to play.
I like the different attributes given to the selectable characters (distinct, well-designed weapon systems? maybe not, but there is a nice variety, and it had potential...).
Had they made an effort to ENCOURAGE US to play each level with different characters, to experiment with different strategies (which requires the stages and enemy A.I. to be designed to give certain advantages/disadvantages to the different selectable characters...speed, weapon range, weapon strength, etc.)...then we would have a better game. Create stages that provide MANY OPPORTUNITIES to utilize the different attributes of different characters! If I want to do this, the weapon systems/stage design might be halfway-compelling.
FZII is unrefined like... Ikari Warriors/Commando. I can forgive Ikari Warriors/Commando given the time of their release. But think about how much better Gunsmoke plays. Gunsmoke is a refined Commando.
Well, in the PCE world, Red Alert/Last Alert is the *slightly* more refined version of Final Zone II. Red Alert is far from perfect, but FZII can't even match Red Alert when it comes to controls/fluidity of gameplay/etc.
I don't mind that FZII throws a totally generic/boring vertical shooter stage at us (I can live with that!).
I'll stop now. I should have posted this in a different thread.
Wait, I forgot to mention: I consider FZII to be a must-have purchase for all Turbo fans. Why? Music alone
And I don't think it is spectacular music, necessarily, but I like it.
