Young, talented and always smiling – Japanese pop culture can no longer be imagined without idols. If something sparks interest in Japan, it will appear in as many media as possible. Idols are not only found on stage or other live events. Various anime and games that probably deal with the most beautiful singers in the world. The Caligula Effect was developed in 2016 by Japanese development studio Aquria, which has made a name for itself notably through its work on several “Sword Art Online” video games. Well, after 5 good years, we can look forward to the second part in this country. Titled The Caligula Effect 2, a new chapter begins in the world of fake reality idols. This time around, studio history is in charge of production and promises a breath of fresh air for the franchise.
Caligula Effect 2 deals with the events after the first part. After destroying the μ world, a new idol named Regret creates a new virtual world called Redo. In this world there are people who at Redo can indulge their deepest dreams in the form of a college student life. Trapped in this delusion, they live day in and day out, while remorse rules and is worshiped as a goddess over this world. However, one fateful day, something breaks into this seemingly perfect world and tries to overthrow the regret. Daughter μ, x (pronounced: chi), communicates with you, the hero, and tries to rescue the trapped people and bring them back to the real world. Together with other friends, who also awaken from this delusion and can formulate clear ideas, you embark on a dangerous but humorous adventure in Redo.
The plot of the game is very strange for newcomers. From the outset, the events seem to be rooted in the plot. The question marks that appear are only slowly resolved. It is not absolutely necessary to play the role of the predecessor, but it is still desirable, since the context of the plot becomes clear faster. The characters are all very individual. They manifest themselves in their desired selves, which slowly crumble like an old cookie in the course of the adventure. After about an hour of playing, you feel right at home in the game. The many question marks evolve into answers that are shaped by longer explanatory dialogues. The longer you deal with Redo’s world, the deeper you will be to spell this pseudo world.
Fight with special gameplay items
Caligula Effect 2 uses classic turn-based combat elements. You can choose to fight in normal or autopilot mode. In normal mode, you decide for yourself which attacks the character should perform. Your team consists of a maximum of four different characters. If you are on autopilot, all you have to do is select the attack for your main character. The other characters then use a computer-defined attack.
In the form of long and simultaneous dialogues, there is a summary of events and their consequences in the first part.
© FURYU
It is interesting that before you finally choose the attack, you can first see how it works. Here you will be shown in a kind of preview of how the opponents move and how the attacks will match those of the others. You can then change the start of your attacks using the directional pad. So you can achieve better harmony, better hit probability and more damage. Similar to other games that use this fighting principle, there are attacks that deal offensive damage, attacks that act defensively, or support actions that temporarily increase troop values.
Each attack consumes attack points. If these are empty, you cannot perform any attacks and you have to wait a while. The time opponents use to land their attacks. If you collect enough energy during battles, you can activate x’s special ability. When this happens, a song is sung by x and the team receives a value boost, which, depending on its selection in the list, can increase the attack, defense or other values.
In general, The Caligula Effect 2 introduces a very interesting combat principle, which after a certain period of time is easier to get used to. Depending on the equipment chosen or the attacks chosen, it is possible to defeat the opponent with sometimes impressive combat maneuvers. At this point, the level of difficulty that can be determined at the beginning should be positively emphasized. You can choose between easy, difficult, or (maybe) impossible. Accordingly, there is something for both beginners and experts to try. Players who prefer to enjoy the plot and do not want to delve deeply into the mechanics of combat are well presented with the easiest level of difficulty.
A feast for the ears and a light sting in the eyes
Like its predecessor, The Caligula Effect 2 focuses on idols. They sing and that’s why this game is actually all about music. Depending on your taste, this music can be considered very positive or rather nerve-wracking. As you wander around the world of Redo and go on a discovery tour, you hear a song being played constantly but without vocals. If the fight is started, the song will continue to play, but it will also receive songs, which gives the song more feelings and turns the fights into a concert. This interaction between the music is smooth as you go, like battles that start without waiting.
The strategic approach is central. It can quickly become confusing during a fight.
© FURYU
Graphically, the game leaves little to be desired. The production team did their best to deliver an original picture, but in many places the graphics look a bit uncreative, cool and minimalistic. The walking motion, which looks so wooden as if it was carried out by robots, is daunting to look at. The movement is saved by seemingly epic combat attacks.
The game environment revolves around moving from one point to another. There are many items distributed on the map that must be collected. For example, various crystals, which are a crystallization of the power of the virtual world, must be kicked in order to smash them. To put it in x words: let’s just squeeze a little bit into replay. The more you advance on the map, the higher the level of opponents. Since your level also goes up after a successful win, this is a natural progression. In some places on the map you will also find opponents who can sometimes be 10-20 levels higher than you. These special enemies usually guard a rare item. Every now and then you will also find special points. If you collect enough of them, you can improve x’s skills and make the most of her singing ability. Defeating these opponents not only brings you a lot of experience points and yen, but also brings you valuables. At the end of these regions are usually the final chiefs, the direct subordinates of Regret, the divine idol of this previously mentioned world.
The plot is told in a humorous way, but it needs some time to warm up. It is especially noticeable that in addition to a lot of loud music, there is also a full Japanese synchronization. As usual, the translation is in English. This type of address is unattractive and unattractive to German newcomers in this field. In general, the game is well suited for fans of the franchise or genre.
