The Video Game Critic

Gonintendo.com is reporting that Red Steel 2 is currently in development, and Ubisoft is completely reworking the sword controls.

While I enjoyed the sword battles in the game (I still play it, so I suppose I should say I still like them), most people wanted that ever elusive 1:1 control, or at least the ability to fight with the sword in the regular game, as opposed to having the battles be scripted sequences. So this is obviously a good move by Ubisoft.

What's interesting is we have our first Wii exclusive third party franchise (though Dewey's Adventure is a spiritual sequel of sorts to Elebits). I reckon that RS2 will be a large improvement (they will certainly be looking at Metroid Prime 3 quite closely for ideas, no doubt). It is also expected that RS2 will have online features as well.

-Rob

[QUOTE=feilong80]While I enjoyed the sword battles in the game (I still play it, so I suppose I should say I still like them), most people wanted that ever elusive 1:1 control, or at least the ability to fight with the sword in the regular game, as opposed to having the battles be scripted sequences.[/QUOTE]

Personally, the longer the game continued, the worse I found the sword controls.  Among my gripes:

1. An enemy could hit you three times in a row with no interruption.  You couldn't do the same.
2. Your recover time from taking a fierce hit was longer than your enemy's.
   
3. The software couldn't pick up the more complicated maneuvers consistently, some barely at all.

The swordplay really made me annoyed at the game; I sure hope they get it right this time around.  And for crying out loud, someone tell them to work on their visuals.

I'm not saying the sword controls are good. They are pretty simplistic. The katas are sort of like the ubertricks in SSX blur: difficult until you get them "down," then you start nailing them with frequency.

Nevertheless, Ubisoft sold people on the idea of swordplay that was far more complex than what was eventually offered. They should and will improve it. Heck, the little sword fighting mini games in WarioWare Smooth Moves prove that the Wii can handle smooth, realistic sword play.

You know, the graphics didn't bother me. The character models are a little flat, but there are numerous lighting effects that look pretty decent. But I'm sure that will be better the second time around.

-Rob

Well I've never played the original Red Steel, but having 1:1 sword fighting will be sort of hard to accomplish.  They could do it, but for some reason I feel like the AI would have a very hard time reacting to it.  If some kid is flailing the Wiimote like a drunken enraged maniac, and the sword on screen is just going everywhere you would be a killing machine...unless they programmed the defensive AI really well.  I'm not really sure though.

I have no idea though.  Maybe they allow it and just figure that people will have to balance out fighting too wildly and reserve their physical energy (you can't flail around forever).  Again I'm not too sure how it would work.

That being said, I'm looking forward to both of Ubisoft's launch titles sequels..Rayman Raving Rabbids 2 and Red Steel 2.

I think it could work well without having good AI. It would probably be fun to just take out vast numbers of Yakuza, and then have staged boss battles that are more akin to the scripted moments of RS1. Plus, if they are shooting bullets at you, they would have a good chance to take you down even before you could get to them, so that could provide some gameplay balance.

It would be like a scene from Star Wars, were Jedi run through lesser opponents with ridiculous ease with lightsabers, and only really get down and dirty when a sith lord is out and about.

-Rob