Put simply, Bionic Commando Rearmed 2 is more of a good thing. The original Bionic Commando Rearmed was an excellent update to a classic franchise, and this one picks right up where the previous one left off.
Game: Bionic Commando Rearmed 2
Publisher: Capcom
Developer: Fatshark/GRIN
Genre: 2D Action/Retro
Price: 800 MSP/$9.99
Verdict: Another dose of grappling goodness
Pros: Classic gameplay, amazing soundtrack
Cons: DRM on PlayStation Network version, new mechanics may be controversial
Acquired via Publisher
Bionic Commando Rearmed 2 takes place between Bionic Commando Rearmed and the 2009 re-imagined Bionic Commando on HD consoles. The story puts the player back into the combat boots of bionic soldier Nathan “Rad” Spencer, who is on a mission with four other bionic soldiers to stop a dictator named General Sabio from unleashing missiles on the FSA. Needless to say, things don’t quite go as planned during the mission, forcing Nathan to navigate the island of Papagaya solo to find out what has happened to his teammates (along with a missing operative the team was tasked with recovering) along the way. The plot is no Metal Gear Solid, but it is satisfying and does contain some legitimately surprising twists.
While the gameplay of Bionic Commando Rearmed 2 doesn’t stray too far from its predecessor (navigating left-to-right, grappling to platforms, and taking down enemies), it also adds a controversial element to the gameplay for the 2D titles in the series: the ability to jump. While some purists may argue that this takes away the essence of a Bionic Commando title, the mechanic feels natural and makes navigation easier for those less accustomed to the series’ mechanics. Players will still have to use the bionic arm at practically every turn in order to navigate the game’s vertically-oriented environments. There is also a “retro mode” available that disables the jump ability, which comes along with an associated Trophy/Achievement for beating the game without jumping. Other gameplay additions include “components,” which are additional weapons/power-ups that Spencer can equip to enhance his abilities, and Bio Vision, a Metroid Prime-style scanning mode that allows players to highlight objects in order to discover hints about progressing past a certain obstacle or damaging a boss enemy. The grappling mechanics have also been revamped for this title, allowing users to control Spencer’s momentum – a welcome change. Co-op mode is available locally, but not online. In addition, Bionic Commando Rearmed‘s challenge rooms make a return, available for when a player has had enough of the campaign mode.
The game looks similar to the original Bionic Commando Rearmed, but there are times when the graphics appear noticeably inferior to the previous version. The visuals are perfectly adequate and get the job done, and the 8-bit cinematics were certainly a nice touch. The retro-style soundtrack is exceptional and stands on-par with the soundtracks of some of Capcom’s finest in-house titles.
One thing that absolutely must be mentioned is the inclusion of unusual Digital Rights Management protection in the PlayStation Network version of Bionic Commando Rearmed 2. This DRM code requires the user to be signed into PlayStation Network every time the game is started. Although this won’t be a problem for most users, it may be an issue for those who do not always have an internet connection available and is therefore worth mentioning. This PlayStation Network connection requirement is disclosed on the game’s download page.
Overall, Bionic Commando Rearmed 2 is a worthy successor to the series, and it augments the gameplay enough to keep things fresh without deviating from what makes the series noteworthy. The new mechanics and grappling implementation are welcome, and the plot is interesting enough to keep the player intrigued up until the final mission. Fans of the series (or fans of 2D action titles in general) will not be disappointed.
GrE Grade: B+
Popularity: unranked [?]
