Actraiser 2
 

 

 

  

   Fans of the original "Actraiser" are generally disappointed with this sequel, as its predecessor combined a traditional 2-d action mode with an addicting "simulator" mode that allowed you to direct human civilization and even control the weather.

 

   Actraiser 2 does indeed completely omit these strategy/roleplaying elements, opting instead for a straight-up action game. In all fairness, however, Actraiser 2 stands on its own as an action title nearly as bad-assed as Demon's Crest, and that's saying something.

 

 

   In Japan, the hero of Actraiser is God himself, and your opponents are Lucifer and the Seven Deadly Sins. Fearing backlash from uptight fundamentalists who don't buy videogames, God is referred to in the translation as simply "Master", and the Devil operates under the alias "Tanzra". Inexplicably, all of the deadly sins were renamed except for Gluttony.
 

 

   Traversing the world map in a floating castle, you are free to choose from a number of towns and cities under attack by demonic forces. Completing one of the initially accessible stages unlocks a second, more difficult quest, and completing all of these will unlock the semi-final stage, the Tower of Souls (or, in Japan, Tower of Babel)

 

The Enemies

(Info on mouse-over)

 
These cute, giant ants are actually the spawn of Gluttony!  These cute, giant ants are actually the spawn of Gluttony!  These cute, giant ants are actually the spawn of Gluttony!  These cute, giant ants are actually the spawn of Gluttony!  These cute, giant ants are actually the spawn of Gluttony!  These cute, giant ants are actually the spawn of Gluttony! Flying variants of the gluttony-ants.  Flying variants of the gluttony-ants.  Flying variants of the gluttony-ants.  Ravenous ant-larvae with wings! They emerge from holes in the walls. Ravenous ant-larvae with wings! They emerge from holes in the walls. Ravenous ant-larvae with wings! They emerge from holes in the walls.  Cool armored bugs encountered only in the ant nest.  Cool armored bugs encountered only in the ant nest.  Cool armored bugs encountered only in the ant nest.

Axe-throwing knights from Stormrook Castle.  Axe-throwing knights from Stormrook Castle.  Giant coelecanths do nothing but swim in a straight line.  Red coelecanths occasionally stop to spit fire. Underwater fire.  These rad giant crabs will carry you across spikes, but also try to knock you off!  These rad giant crabs will carry you across spikes, but also try to knock you off!  These rad giant crabs will carry you across spikes, but also try to knock you off!  These rad giant crabs will carry you across spikes, but also try to knock you off!  These rad giant crabs will carry you across spikes, but also try to knock you off!

Bats that swoop down crazy-fast-like.  Bats that swoop down crazy-fast-like.  Boring pikemen, encountered in the battlefield stage.  Giant dragonflies from the mushroom swamp.  Giant dragonflies from the mushroom swamp.  Hovering fire ghosts that appear and disappear.  Way-cool little water demons! They can swim, run, leap, and dash.  Way-cool little water demons! They can swim, run, leap, and dash.  Way-cool little water demons! They can swim, run, leap, and dash.  Way-cool little water demons! They can swim, run, leap, and dash.  Way-cool little water demons! They can swim, run, leap, and dash.  Way-cool little water demons! They can swim, run, leap, and dash.  These phantoms simply fly in a wavy pattern, shooting electricity.

Great-looking frogs that leap from the muck of the swamp stage.  Great-looking frogs that leap from the muck of the swamp stage.  Great-looking frogs that leap from the muck of the swamp stage.  Great-looking frogs that leap from the muck of the swamp stage.  GOBLINS! They're everywhere, and they're all self-explanatory.  GOBLINS! They're everywhere, and they're all self-explanatory.  GOBLINS! They're everywhere, and they're all self-explanatory.  GOBLINS! They're everywhere, and they're all self-explanatory.  GOBLINS! They're everywhere, and they're all self-explanatory.  GOBLINS! They're everywhere, and they're all self-explanatory.  GOBLINS! They're everywhere, and they're all self-explanatory.  GOBLINS! They're everywhere, and they're all self-explanatory.  GOBLINS! They're everywhere, and they're all self-explanatory.  These blobs are encountered only in the underground prison/goblin lair. They rise from the ground and spit.  These blobs are encountered only in the underground prison/goblin lair. They rise from the ground and spit.

Flying, non-animated ghost skulls.  Flying, non-animated ghost skulls.  Flying, non-animated ghost skulls.  Demon pillars that spit fireballs.  Creeping plants (or perhaps echinoderms) that scatter spikes.  The undead "Gules" are a product of famine! They appear to be a fusion of several corpses.  The undead "Gules" are a product of famine! They appear to be a fusion of several corpses.  The undead "Gules" are a product of famine! They appear to be a fusion of several corpses.  The undead "Gules" are a product of famine! They appear to be a fusion of several corpses.  The undead "Gules" are a product of famine! They appear to be a fusion of several corpses.  The undead "Gules" are a product of famine! They appear to be a fusion of several corpses.  The undead "Gules" are a product of famine! They appear to be a fusion of several corpses.  The undead "Gules" are a product of famine! They appear to be a fusion of several corpses.  Destroy the upper body of a Gule, and the legs will keep walking...until they explode!

These snapping, spitting mouths are part of a gluttony demon. They line a shaft to his underground nest.  These snapping, spitting mouths are part of a gluttony demon. They line a shaft to his underground nest.  These snapping, spitting mouths are part of a gluttony demon. They line a shaft to his underground nest.  Butterfly-skulls encountered in Modero and inside a King's mind.  Butterfly-skulls encountered in Modero and inside a King's mind.  Demon seahorses float up and down, spitting pellets.  Demon seahorses float up and down, spitting pellets.  Floating ammonite shells self-destruct when you approach.  Demon sharks that swim back and forth, lunging when you're near.  Demon sharks that swim back and forth, lunging when you're near.  Demon sharks that swim back and forth, lunging when you're near.  Grubs that come out of the ground in Industen swamp.  Grubs that come out of the ground in Industen swamp.

Drill machines from the tower of Babel  These other machines are equipped with guns.  Cool-looking robots with eye-beams and pincers! Only found in the tower of Babel.  Cool-looking robots with eye-beams and pincers! Only found in the tower of Babel.  Cool-looking robots with eye-beams and pincers! Only found in the tower of Babel.  Cool-looking robots with eye-beams and pincers! Only found in the tower of Babel.  Cool-looking robots with eye-beams and pincers! Only found in the tower of Babel.  Cool-looking robots with eye-beams and pincers! Only found in the tower of Babel. 

Tiny, hopping ghosts encountered in the subconcious of a sleeping king.  Tiny, hopping ghosts encountered in the subconcious of a sleeping king.  Tiny, hopping ghosts encountered in the subconcious of a sleeping king.  Giant-size ghosts can create the smaller, cuter versions.  Giant-size ghosts can create the smaller, cuter versions.  Floating demon heads with spiked pendulums.  Giant shaggy worms that strike from below in the ice palace.  Giant shaggy worms that strike from below in the ice palace.  Giant shaggy worms that strike from below in the ice palace.  Rock-throwing ogres.  Rock-throwing ogres.

Dinosaur-riding knights!  Dinosaur-riding knights!  These goblin-bugs look much more like insects than spiders, but some are found in web-lined rooms. They just pace back and forth.  These goblin-bugs look much more like insects than spiders, but some are found in web-lined rooms. They just pace back and forth. 

 

Stages & Bosses

   There are eight different kingdoms to liberate in Actraiser 2, most of them with two different stages to complete before the people are finally free. Divided un-evenly amongst these stages are six minibosses and thirteen actual demon bosses (not counting the devil himself), seven of which symbolize the deadly sins. Before the game begins, you can watch an intro stage in which Tanzra/Lucifer is cast out of heaven in a unique form you will find nowhere else:

 
 

 

   This "demo" is playable with a special password, but extremely short. The imp-like enemies, however, are also unique. Tanzra/Satan does little more than bob and down, attacking with energy from his mouth while periodically exposing his one weak point like the nitwit he is.

 

   Upon his defeat (or a magical press of the "start" button), we jump to the game itself...

 
The town of DILIGENCE

   "The People here used to work very hard at keeping this land healthy. It was once famous for its beautiful forests and rivers. One day these people lost their desire not only to work but also to live."

 

   A town named Diligence is a natural target for "Fatigue", also known as the demon of Sloth. To restore Diligence to its former...well, diligence, you must track down Fatigue/Sloth in the swampy mushroom forest of Industen. Like most other stages, you will never actually enter the town you are liberating.

 
Stage: Industen
   

 
-Mid-boss-

   The giant, mobile plant charges from one end of the screen to the other, stopping to gnash its jaws at you while spitting a spray of energy.

 
     

 

-Industen Demon-

   Riding a possessed rain-cloud, this lesser demon of Sloth throws an endless barrage of sickles while his cloud periodically threatens to suck you in or blow you away. When defeated, your angel-guide explains that his rain was what corrupted the town of Diligence.

 

Stage: Benefic

   "Upstream of the Benefic river, this area seems to be infested with demons.  Cleanse the water by defeating the demons."

 

   This stage consists almost entirely of a shallow stream inside a massive grotto. The water will perpetually slow you down as you ward off bats and fish-goblins.

 

  

 

-Mid-boss-

Benefic's mid-boss is a really neat-looking giant cobra that opens up its jaws to spray fire.

 

     

-Fatigue/Sloth-

   The huge snail lodged in the back of the cave releases spiked spheres into the flowing stream, fires thin beams from its antennae, and sends boulders crashing down from the ceiling. It only opens its surprisingly large and toothy mouth when it is dying.

 

   Many players are under the impression that the cloud-riding, sickle-throwing skeleton is the demon of Sloth, but it is only after defeating this colossal mollusk that Diligence is freed, and you will fight it again with the other deadly sins in the true final stage.

 

 

 

 

 

The town of TEMPONIA

   "Temponia used to be known for its great abundance of food.  The demon "Gluttony" entered this city and devoured everything.  Soon, people began to starve and fight with one another.  Gules began attacking travelers in Modero, the nearby desert."

  

Stage: Modero

            

                       

 

   ..."The desert has become horrible.  People who have passed away due to starvation have been turned into Gules by the demon.  The giant mouths, towards the sky, are part of the demon.  There are many cliffs here, and we are unsure what is beneath."

 

   As already implied, Modero is a deliciously unpleasant place featuring vast pits of living, demonic mouths. The actual ground is comprised of bones and fleshy sludge, the same stuff that forms our shambling, one-eyed "Gules".

 

   

 

-Mid-boss-

   This giant buzzard is just a darker-colored version of buzzards that hover throughout Modero and never actually attack you. This one, however, will spit fireballs (like practically everything else in the world) and occasionally swoop down at you.

 
     

 
-Modero Demon-

   One of the best boss fights I've ever experienced as far as concept goes, you will battle the lord of all Gules in an underground chamber over a lake of blood, while flying eyeballs attack from above. The boss starts out huge, but shrinks with every hit.

 
Stage: Demon's Cave
   "A large army of ants living in the cave northwest of here often attacks the city, stealing all of the food. People have started rioting in search of food. Hunger is one of the strongest desires a human may feel.  I believe it is difficult for them to control."

 

   Part II of Temponia's salvation sends you deep into the heart of a demonically mutated ant's nest, In addition to the ants and their big-mouthed larvae, you'll encounter strange reptilian pill-bugs and giant goblin-headed spider-beetles.

 
 
-Gluttony-

   Pretty damn creative to link a Gluttony demon with ants, wouldn't you say? The monstrous ant queen attacks by swinging down and biting, or by detaching from her abdomen entirely, which unsheathes a scorpionlike tail. During this battle, eggs randomly drop from the ceiling and hatch into crawling grubs (see enemies).

 

 

 

 
The city of JUSTANIA

   "Justania is famous for its army. The king, having been invaded by a demon, forced his army to attack Favorian. Day by day the number of victims increased. Master, let us go to the Death Field and stop this war."

 
Stage: Deathfield
   The Deathfield consists of three parts: a desert of burning ruins, a fleet of small airships, and a towering desert fortress.
 

 

-Mid-boss-
   A pegasus-centaur (pegataur?) knight is encountered on the last of the level's air-ships. It flies and attempts to impale you...but you guessed that already.

 
     
-Deathfield boss-
   The giant knight awaits at the top level of the fortress. He leaps and dashes. He has a red moustache!

 

 
The town of FAVORIAN
   "I wonder how these people must have felt after being attacked bya friendly city.  It is terrible to have friends fighting with one another. I hope we dont have this type of tragedy again.  Almetha Volcano in the east has suddenly become active."

 
Stage: Almetha

   "The demon "Fury" has entered the volcano.  It has started to erupt.  If you don't defeat this demon, we will have another king and war just like Justania."

 
 

 
-Fury/Wrath-
   You will face this floating, burning giant at the mouth of the volcano, where boulders drift down through the air. As you might have guessed, it's easier to die by falling than by the boss itself. He is usually shielded by rings of flame that will have to be destroyed individually before he will take damage.

 

 

 

 
The Kingdom of LOVAOUS
"This is Lovaous.  After the demon defeated the king of this castle, the land was turned to ice.  Since then, the king has slept like a child.  People have tried many different methods to wake him, but all have failed."

 
Stage: Palace

 

       

 
-Mid-boss-
   This giant gargoyle will be encountered in several other stages. He strikes with his sword, and blocks with his shield...just like you! You're not special anymore.

 
   
-Palace Demon-

   The source of the cold in this stage is a giant, frozen woman who can transform into a spiky ice-ball, explode, and re-form ad infinitum. In humanoid form, she doesn't really move, but floats around as a static image. Weird.

 
Stage: The King's Mind
   "The demon "Deception" [Japanese name: Lust] rules this land.  He must be hiding in the king's mind. If the king still has faith in you, the image of the demon will still be there."

 

   The mind of a king overcome with Lust is a surprisingly boring place apart from lots of ghosts and a brief but frustrating maze of blue jelly (which rotates every few seconds, and changes your controls along with it)

 
-Mid Boss-
   Just a souped-up version of the giant ghosts that populate this stage with their offspring. Sluggish and rather easy to defeat.

 
     
-Deception/Lust-
   The king, AS EXPECTED, is trapped in the womb of a giant fetus symbolizing lust. Why, I'd be a king myself if I only had a dollar for all the times this has happened to me.

 

   Lust hovers in an empty void resembling outer space with random boulders to jump around on. It can fire stuff from its mouth or tail, and teleports to a new position every few seconds

 

 

 

 
The town of LEON
   "This was not a rich country, but the people were honest and full of gratitude.  A newly appointed king raised the taxes in Leon and forced people to pay.  If they refused, they were sent to an underground prison in Gratis."

 
Stage: Gratis
   Though described in the tale of Leon as a prison, Gratis appears to be the underground lair of the goblins. One of the only stages you can really get lost in, it consists of a labyrinthine network of narrow tunnels with wooden elevators and a sewer area.

 

   Gratis features the same mid-boss as Lovaous Palace, above.

 
             
-Gratis Boss-

   Definitely the boss with the most personality, this pompous little goblin-king flies around his throne room (in a standing position!) and attacks with a variety of magical explosions and beams. I love the painting he has above his throne.

 

 
Stage: Stormrook
   "This is Stormrook.  This castle is full of gold.  I sense that there are many demons here.  I wonder what happened to King Kolunikus?"

 

   Stormrook is the abode of Greed, formerly the king of Leon, who's English name has become "Doom" because I guess American children can't handle the concept of greediness. Despite having no water, this golden castle is the only stage featuring giant crabs (which you can ride across spikes). Weird.

 
-Doom/Greed-

   GREED (how do you even convert that to "doom" anyway?) hangs out on a giant pile of gold in the central chamber of Stormrook castle. He breathes - get ready for this - fire, and that's pretty much all there is to say about this guy.

 

 

 

 
The town of DEVOTE
   "There appears to be a town riding atop a tortoise.  The town of Devote began to sink into the ocean, causing people to evacuate.  Even now the town of Devote is infested with demons.  From the depths of the ocean echoes a plea for help from those submerged."

 
Stage: Tortoise Island
   The first of two underwater stages, Tortoise Island is inhabited by demonically altered sharks, fish men, coelacanths, explosive ammonites, and spitting seahorses. Mid-way through the stage, you will find yourself walking on a vast, branching network of armored tentacles...

 
-Tortoise Island Demon-
   One of my favorites (though I have quite a few of them in this game), this insanely huge boss is a hybrid of crustacean and cephalopod. It can only be damaged in its eye, once you run out of fire magic, the only way to reach this spot is with your downward plunging move. This requires standing directly above the eye and jumping straight up to execute the plunge without accidentally brushing the dreaded spikes, which are instant death in this game (God, like Megaman, can handle anything but spikes).

 

   The little claw-feeler thing is slow-moving, but constantly reaching in your general direction and periodically firing beams. From the eye, this monster can unleash a pulsing grey orb that follows chases you around and temporarily petrifies on contact.

 
Stage: Altheria

   "This is a sub-marine castle where a queen once lived.  The demon "Jealousy" [in Japan: Envy] conquered her.  The flame of her jealousy still exists.  If you wish to defeat this demon, you must extinguish the flame of jealousy."
-Jealousy/Envy-
   This horrible head is surrounded by a ring of smaller heads, and cannot be attacked directly. The only way to damage this demon is to strike the flame in the center of its massive chamber, which is dominated by a statue of the queen. In the final stage, you will battle a repaint of Envy with a slightly different statue.

 

 

 

 
The city of HUMBLETON

   "The people of Humbleton are very civilized.  Master, they are devising a preposterous plan.  They... they are trying to become masters themselves.  They are constructing a tower to try and reach the sky castle.  I wonder when they will stop being so reckless."

 
Stage: Tower of Souls [Japan: Tower of Babel]
   "This is the Tower of Souls.  People tried to become masters. Inside the tower, there are many man-made machines still working.  On the top of this tower, we can see the master they created to worship.  I am afraid it has led to a battle between master and people."

 

   Though no demon is actually named here, it's quite clearly a battle against pride. The tower itself features the game's only mechanical enemies, which is fairly interesting. Towards the end, you will battle poorly recolored versions of every mid-boss in the game.

 
-False God/Pride-
   Yep, that is definately a pride demon if I've ever seen one, and you know I have. It can only be damaged in the five spheres that orbit its core, protected by the five larger orbiting objects...and objects they most certainly are. This thing attacks by freezing time, raining missiles out of the sky, locking on with an energy beam, and probably blowing fire.

 

   On easy mode, this is the game's final boss, but play on a harder difficulty and you'll unlock one more stage...

 

 

 

 

Tanzra's Underground Fortress [Japan: Hell]

   This stage begins with your angel minions pulling a kamikaze maneuver, crashing your sky-castle into the earth to punch through to hell. Look at all the little cherubs! Nooo!

 

   Sadly, the level consists only of the previous deadly sins in tacky new colors, and offers no new enemies.

 
 
-Tanzra/Satan-
   A friend had to send me the screenshots of this guy, because I had a hell of a time getting to him. As in Dante's Inferno, Tanzra sits frozen in a lake, and appears to have three heads - two of them dinosaurs - but there isn't any more to his sprite (you can't fly past his chest), which is a shame. His only weak point is the seldom-exposed blue heart in his belly, and he wields a variety of energy beams along with SOME sort of a breath attack. I don't know, some sort of fiery looking one, like fire.

 

  

 

 

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Email / MSN: bogleech@hotmail.com

 
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