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The Lowdown
Pros: Plenty to do for single players including a story to follow,
leveling up characters and collecting cards.
Cons: Overly simplistic fighting with only a handful of characters.
Purchase at Play-Asia
 Purchase
at Lik-Sang
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Recently Zatch Bell or known in Japan as Gashbell in Japan has debuted
on Cartoon Network. The story is about a Zatch, a young boy who is given
to a socially confused genius, Kiyo. Kiyo's father sends Zatch to him in
hopes that Zatch can break Kiyo out of his shell. While Zatch is there
to help Kiyo out, he needs Kiyo's help too. To compete in the ultimate
battle between the mamodo Zatch needs Kiyo to command a spell book.
Zatch and Kiyo aren't the only ones out there looking to be the king of
all the mamodo. There are plenty of other mamodo human partners just
waiting to battle them. In Konjiki no Gashbell: Yuujou Tag Battle 2
you'll be primarily focused on battles between the mamodo.The game is
developed by two familiar names in the anime game world. Eighting the
studio who did the Naruto: Geiktou Ninja Taisen games and Renderware
known for Full Metal Alchemist: Dream Carnival. It probably comes as no
surprise that Konjiki no Gashbell: Yuujou Tag Battle 2 plays a lot like
Ninja Taisen titles. Battles take place in real 3D, where you control
Zatch or another mamodo with the analog stick. You can attack by
pressing X, use spell book moves by pressing square and block by
pressing circle. You can add in a directional button to do a couple of
different attacks. Pressing up and X has your human partner throw you up
in the air so you can do a mid air attack. Where as Pressing down and X
gives a generic sweep attack. Each character has a limited number of
combos that are preset.
Casting different spells gives a few more options. Each character has
up to four possible spells with one super spell attack. For Zatch
pressing square will do a straight forward lighting strike called Zakeru
and pressing down plus square summons a lighting bolt that powers Zatch
up. When you use moves from the spell book soul energy is sapped. This
limits players from constantly casting spell attacks. The meter can be
filled in two ways: by attacking with your basic attack and by manually
charging by holding L1. The advantage of manually charging your soul
meter will actually extend the maximum amount of soul energy you have. A
soul charge is the only way you can store enough energy to do a super
move. Super powerful spells like Tio's Gigano Saisu and Canchome's
Gaporuku. Each super move stops the action to summon a huge dragon and
deals out massive damage. Most super moves eliminate 3/4 of a life bar
and they're unblockable unless you have a super move stored up to
counter attack. One problem with this system is slightly skilled gamers
can build up their soul meter by attack in the first round and unleash a
super move the second round. This leads to easy wins, even against a
more savvy human opponent.
One thing misleading about the title is that you only control a
mamodo. There is no tagging back and forth with your human companion.
Actually, most of the time your partner is just running around
aimlessly. They only time a partner attacks is when you do a combo with
a "partner attack". These combos normally just have your human partner
throw a few punches. The best help your partner gives you is the move
where you can be launched in the air.
There are a couple of different modes on top of the obligatory one on
one fighting that you would expect. The story mode puts you in control
of Zatch and Kiyo as you go through preset battles. In between fights
you'll select different locations to enter. You can revisit places
featured in the anime like Kiyo's school. Within the story mode players
have options of who to fight next. Maybe you're want to take on Megumi
and Tio or you can choose to battle Sheree and Burago. Fans of the anime
series will like how the story is told in a different way. What is
confusing is that you don't know where the next fight is. Often times
you'll have to randomly enter locations seeking a challenge. Playing
through the story mode nets you orbs. Players can use these orbs to
upgrade their characters spell power and attacks. To keep the game
balanced in two player fights you can opt to play with your powered up
character or the standard version. Orbs can also be spent on unlocking
collectable cards. With over a hundred cards to collect players have a
lot to do for one player.
The visual differences between the Gamecube version and PS2 version
of Konjiki no Gashbell: Yuujou Tag Battle 2 are minor. In both versions
you'll see cel shaded characters. The models look decent, like they
appear in there series only in 3D. The super special attacks look pretty
cool. Seeing Zatch's gold dragon is a sight, but beyond that most of the
other attacks just manage to be appear decent. Between battle
conversations are told with flat drawings that don't lip synch properly.
It looks silly when there is a break in text and mouths are still
moving. Overall the game looks OK, but the bar has been raised so much
most gamers won't consider this one of the top graphic titles on either
system.
The fighting system might not be the best out there, but it doesn't
mean that Konjiki no Gashbell: Yuujou Tag Battle 2 is a dud. It's fairly
decent for casual gamers who don't want to spend hours mastering frame
animations. With a decent selection of 12 characters, fans of the series
will be pleased.
If you don't know Japanese, most of the menus are easy to get
through after five minutes with the title. The story mode on the other
hand requires that you are literate or have good knowledge with the
series. In the dialogue after battles you'll be given clues where to go
next. The actual fighting is easy to pick up and the gameplay is easy to
learn.
US Bound?
Since Zatch Bell is showing on Cartoon Network can a game release
from Bandai be far behind? It seems likely that the first Zatch Bell
fighter will be ported and then this title at a later date.
Overall
Konjiki no Gashbell: Yuujou Tag Battle 2 suffers from licensed game
syndrome. It has predictable gameplay and it will be entertaining for
fans of the series. For everyone else it's just another mediocre
fighting game.
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