September 29, 2004 - Fullmetal Alchemist may still be a few weeks off from its American debut, but the series is at the height of its popularity in Japan. The cartoon is about to end, a movie is in production and, just last week, Square Enix released Fullmetal Alchemist 2 (known, formally, as Hagane no Renkin Jutsushi 2: Akaki Elixer no Akuma in Japan), the sequel to the PlayStation 2 debut title from late last year. We picked up the import and played through a few hours.


Set up similar to the first game, Fullmetal Alchemist 2 puts you in control of series main character Edward Elric, the metal alchemist of the title. The story of the game and series centers on Edward and his younger brother Alphonse, both of whom were punished for disobeying the laws of equality in alchemy when they attempted to revive their deceased mother using their alchemist abilities. Edward ended up with an arm made of metal and Alphonse was left to the beastly form that you've seen in all the screens. Like the PS2 original, Fullmetal Alchemist 2 tells an original story separate from the cartoon, centering on red stones that give their holders great alchemy power and a terrorist who's going around offing alchemists.
The general set up of the game remains unchanged from the original. The Fullmetal Alchemist games, at least the Square Enix entries (as opposed to the titles from Bandai), are 3D beat-em-ups where players control Ed directly and make use of Alphonse for support. As Ed, players can perform combo attacks with their fists and can also equip weapons such as swords and sticks which are more effective against some enemies. Counters, jumps, slides, and recovery moves make Ed's arsenal one you'd expect to find in a fighting game.

Alphonse fights via artificial intelligence, but players have some control over him. Tapping the R1 shoulder button sends Alphonse into action. Holding the button down makes him come to Ed's side and toss Ed up into the air for a higher-than-normal jump. This jump is useful for getting past high walls and is also a key part of Ed's super attack move (we'll let you play the game to see how that works).

Alchemy is a big part of the series and serves as one of the most interesting parts of Fullmetal Alchemist in game form. Stages are filled with metal-based items such as barrels and benches that can be changed into a new item with the press of a button. The new item can then be used to assist in the fight.

We've made use of numerous items so far, some of which are new to Fullmetal Alchemist 2. One item releases robotic mice bombs which scramble about and explode next to enemies. Another launches fry pans into the air which crash down on enemies. Some items can be ridden, including a couple of gun platforms, one of which can be aimed in the first person. Other items, like a shuriken and bomb, are meant to be thrown. The producer of the series actually admitted recently that his favorite item is a large metallic ball that, when struck, rolls around the area, bouncing off walls and mowing over enemies.

Both Ed and Alphonse can use these items. Alphonse can be made to use an item by tapping the triangle button. He'll then pick up the item or board the gun platform nearest Ed. The only thing you need to be careful of when using items is that you don't accidentally strike Alphonse or have Alphonse strike you. Cannon fire and the metallic ball are effective against Alphonse and Ed as well as the enemy. More often than not in the sequel, Alphonse likes to get in the way of a clean shot.

There are some RPG elements on top of the fighting. Ed and Alphonse have all the usual RPG-style stats such as HP, strength and defense power, as well as a stat for alchemy power. Ed gains experience as he fights, and with each rise in level, he earns bonus points which the player can distribute between the individual statistics for the two characters. Ed and Alphonse can be equipped with amulets which give them powers, including increased life and strength. Levels have a few simple non-action elements requiring that you do a bit of exploration, although you won't have to use your head too much when playing this particular title.

Also, as one would expect of an RPG or any game with strong cartoon and comic ties, the story elements of Fullmetal Alchemist are given plenty of importance in Fullmetal Alchemist 2. The game is split into a series of episodes, progressing through a single storyline. Stages are filled with pauses in action as characters speak with one another using full-voice and animated character-stills. There are also occasional cuts to fully animated cinemas and a few dialogue sequences that take place away from the main characters.

Soft-spoken Alphonse and sharp-tongued Ed have made these story sequences our favorite part of the game so far, and we'll admit to not being all that familiar with the Fullmetal Alchemist series. As with the original title, knowledge of the series isn't required in the least bit for Fullmetal Alchemist 2. The background story is explained in full as you play.

While much of this writeup could be interchangable with a writeup on the first game, there's one area where Fullmetal Alchemist 2 towers above the original: graphics. For the sequel, Square Enix has improved the look of the game considerably over the low budget look of the original, adding real cell-shading in the process. We wouldn't say it's the best the PS2 can do, but at least Team Fullmetal Alchemist is making improvements. We especially like the animation on Ed.

There are a few areas that either weren't improved from the original or could have used some extra work. Load times are a bit annoying, forcing players to wait a few seconds between areas. The game's camera system needs an overhaul, as the camera often makes the most inappropriate movements. You do have control over the camera, but there are some adjustments that should have been automatic. We've also found the game's control scheme to be a bit too complex for its own good; we have to think too hard in order to pull off some of Ed's moves.

America will be getting the first Fullmetal Alchemist in just a few weeks, almost a year after the original Japanese title debuted. We expect Square Enix to leave a lengthy gap before the stateside release of the sequel, so consider the new movies and screens we've posted in our media section to be a preview of things to come some time next year


here is a list for the video previews

http://media.ps2.ign.com/media/688/688587/vids_1.html

Must... buy...
But i spent all my money on FMA1 2 days ago. im poor :(
I still havnt even beaten it, im stuck on that wierd giant blob monster thingy, i dunno how to beat that stage.

I need help on the crimson elixer site.

http://na.square-enix.com/games/FMA2/reward/

uh, i don't understand how to find the items...

I'm stuck on that damn blobby Chimera as well... I wish I knew how to beat it... there's a movie I missed when I wasn't paying attention and I want to know what happened in that movie... and to do that I have to beat the game... and to do that I have to kill Camilla.... I hate her....

I think that I'm going to buy the game just for the cutscenes- I've heard that some of them are hilarious.

I think the second FMA game is worth getting if you're killing to see the NA releases of episodes 27 and 28 since it comes with a bonus DVD. I already have the third game and it kicks arse.

Are any of these games good, I heard they played really bad, and does anybody know anything about the Nintendo DS FMA game coming out (Im certain it is, don't question me on it)

I haven't heard anything about the DS game- but that may be because I haven't been to the store in a while.

I came across something on Gamefaqs.com that said that if you get all A's on all the bosses in the first five chapters in FMA 2, you unlock a bonus story or something. I've been trying to get A's to see if it's true- but I'm still only up to Scar in chapter 3. <_<

Anyway, has anybody gotten this so-called bonus story?

My friend did once. I wasn't there, but she said it had something to do with Roy.

sigh i still don't know if any of these games are good or not, i heard the combat system was horrible and that there was no point in really using alchemy (you could beat people with punching and kicking)

You could beat the enemies with punches and kicks, but only if you kept your level high- otherwise you'd have to use a sword/lance/hammer (created by alchemy) or you can transmute your arm into a handblade. When I was playing it, I used this a lot, as well as the "stonespikes" attack, where you transmute sharp rock spears out of the ground.

I thought it was a pretty good game, but it was rather short- (just like Ed! :lol:) I would have liked some form of a two player mode, too.

maybe a Co-Op in the next one (YOU AND AL(your friend) WHAT A REVELATION)

Now that would be sweet- I'd definetly buy a game that had that.

I just recently bought the first one...and im stuck on the huge thing that sucks in air...my friend says that 2 is a lot better than one, but I dont know.

Just finished chapter two of Crimson Elixir. (Roy appears! w00t!!!) I'm not a very good gamer; my strategy is pure and simple button mash and hope for the best. I think it's a good game for someone like me. Someone who is just learning that "hey, if you push these buttons in sequence, it'll do something cool...". :lol:

I'm so looking forward to the next one though. Dream Carnival, is it? I've heard that one may have a two player mode...

wht theres a 3rd one i havent even beat number one yet im on the last boss of the game right befor you figh mustange and i forget his name buit the stron man alchiemist and i can beat the last boss its jjust it gets boreing .

and i herd the 2nd one is way better then the first is it? :D

Yes, the second one is definitely better- it has some awesome cutscenes, and the characters voice all of the lines.

has any one else heard of the third one???? :lol:
and if you have did they add anthing new??? :blink:

The last I heard the third one was available only in Japan, but that it will come to the US soon. Early to mid-2006 is the speculation I heard a couple weeks ago.

I may be wrong... :)

Does anyone have any tips for getting past the boss (the horned golem) in the Bord'wan village? I totally suck!! I keep dying. :rolleyes:

I thought that that was the hardest boss in the game- what I did the first time I beat the game was I went through the level and trained until I was at level 20. Then I went and tried again, and I beat it with considerably less difficulty.

The second time I played through the game, I leveled up like crazy in every level, so that by the time I got to Bord'wan, I was at level 50- so I beat the crap out of that boss.

Leveling up solves everything! :D

:blink: is that in noumber one are 2? :blink: ;) <_<

Oh, number 2! Sorry :)

And thanks for the tips, LA. I appreciate it.

:P :P I beat that game in 2 days. :P :P Its a fun game. :P :P And I beat the 1
game in 2 days to. :P :P

Is part 2 cool cause I got only part 1. I wish i had it. :(

i wish i had the game. it sounds fun

hey i love that game only 1 problem i have a problem in chapt.5 when that big green monster comes to ed and al got that thing attidion.that was stuiped.but also a smart thing too to save riza,havco,and a man.sugergirl153@aol.com[COLOR=blue]

I saw that game in K-MART today

The third game has came out in July in Japan.

Some new features included:
1. You can interchange with Al. (Al uses "clapping" to perform alchemy.)
2. There is also a "tag battle" mode, in which you can play as 2 players.
3. New Opening song written and sang by Kitade Nana, instead of reusing the old FMA Openings/Endings.
4. You get a MAP which you can go back to older "stages" to collect items and train if you wish.
5. An Original Character (Sophie) and she helps you out in various ways.
6. Interesting items.
7. One of the best: Voice acting on nearly every single line! (which will probably be replaced with English VA's)
8. Play as Ed in his underwear for a short while (you have no idea how AMUSING this was.)
9. A mini "Ura-hagaren" version of the FMA3 game commercial. (I don't think this will be included in the US version...)
10. I think Sophie is quite an awesome OC, compared to Armony in FMA1.

those are what I could remember, off the top of my head. I didn't play the game for 3 months already because of school...

That sounds kool! I wanna play the game now!!!!!!! :(

i just rented the game and i'm not sure if i'm really close to the end but i just fought Elma in her evil form for the 2nd time and i was wondering if i was anywhere close to being done? :blink:

i thought the game was fun just...to easy i beat in 1 day :D ...but it was fun

ya over half way

kind of what i thought

I got a question dose 1 or 2 have major spoiolers for people who are only seeing the adult swim episodes?

no the first 2nd 1 starts off at cornello and goes into the grand arcanum witch is not in the searies so no it does not spoil anything and as for the first 1 it ovously
ends before cornello but ive never played it so i dont know