Crimson Sea 2

Computer Games Magazine

If you're an action-RPG fan, you definitely don't want to miss this one. [July 2004, p.6]

GameZone

First they have a really immersive storyline, then a great fighting engine that hardly ever gets stale, and a wonderful camera.

GamingWorld X

A good game that could be great with slight improvements. The nagging camera problems really create an issue, and the tediousness of the never-ending supply of enemies will drive some people insane.

GameSpy

The combat system is one of the best you're likely to see in an action game of this sort. It's so solid that Crimson Sea 2's "kill everything that moves" formula doesn't become stale or tedious until quite late in the game, which is a huge accomplishment for a game based on such a simple concept.

IGN

For those of you lucky enough to give it a shot, we're confident that you'll find it just as endearing as we did. Flawed but fun, Crimson Sea 2 may be mindless but at least it has a soul.

IC-Games

The map and radar are easy to read and use, and the environment nicely detailed. Combined with a soundtrack that still gives of a distinctly ocean going whiff, it adds up to quite a quality audio-visual effort, and puts this title into the upper echelons of the fleet.

Cinescape

If you’re looking for a good action RPG game that you can just jump into and blow some stuff apart, it’s a pretty good bet that Crimson Sea 2 will fill your needs.

Play Magazine

It's all carefully honed and balanced...and, furthermore, harnessed by elegant controls that are adaptable for any combat situation. [Apr 2004, p.58]

PSX Nation

With its mix of "Dynasty Warriors" gameplay, "Starship Troopers"-type setting (complete with umpteen million giant bugs to kill) and interesting characters Crimson Sea 2 is an above-average hack-and-slash adventure.

Weekly Famitsu

8 / 8 / 8 / 8 - 32 gold [Vol 801; 23 Apr 2004]

G4 TV

Crimson Sea 2 has sharp, exhilarating gameplay and a distinctive style that pervades the story line, characters, and space-opera soundtrack. The variety found in the missions is truly commendable, and you're generally free to play the game at your own pace.

Maxim Online

Guaranteed to raise the purple manga-style hairs on your neck.

Cheat Code Central

Just make sure you've got an itchy trigger finger because Crimson Sea 2 will scratch that itch down to the bone and continue to saw right through to the other side.

GameSpot

If you're looking for a game in which you can shoot up or cut up hundreds of ugly aliens for hours on end, you've come to the right place.

Electronic Gaming Monthly

Like most of Koei's games, Crimson Sea 2 has a learning curve as steep as a black-diamond slope. But put in the training time, and Sea 2 plays like a faster-paced "Phantasy Star Online." [May 2004, p.95]

PSM Magazine

Repetitive and somewhat cliched, the action is still pretty intense and the multiplayer options really help the fun. [May 2004, p.32]

GMR Magazine

A fast, frantic action game starring a gun- and sword-wielding fellow fighting legions upon legions of baddies.

Sydney Morning Herald

But while the adventure is lengthy, the feeble multi-player modes will not sustain interest.

Game Informer

Crimson Sea 2 goes to great lengths (making you manage two camera buttons and a radar map) to disguise the fact that the developer screwed up by not simply offering a decent view of the action. [Apr 2004, p.98]

GameCritics

Hacking and slashing my way through legions of intelligent monsters was surprisingly enjoyable, as was the addictive challenge to always increase my combo count. Overall, the space opera mixed with kick alien ass produced a fun bout of story-driven hack-n-slash, that gives as good as it gets.

Official U.S. Playstation Magazine

An eminently playable actionfest in which you play what seems to be a descendant of Dante—a thousand or so years in the future.

AceGamez

A sturdy title for those who know and love their third person kill-fests. Those seeking anything of a cerebral nature should go elsewhere and many may find the harsh difficulty and heavy repetition something of a turn off.

Yahoo! Games

If you love the gameplay in "Dynasty Warriors" but are tiring of its setting, Crimson Sea 2 offers a refreshing change of pace with a familiar style of gameplay.

TotalGames.net

What truly rains on the game's parade, however, is the constant button bashing through the one too many levels, which after a while, simply numb the brain.

GamePro

A fairly enjoyable game. With introductions to new characters and enemies in every mission, the option to customize and improve your weapons, and a hardy plot, there should be enough to make a rental worthwhile. [June 2004, p.71]

RewiredMind

Kill stuff, level up, and do it all over again. Whether the endless repetition is a good thing or not really depends on your threshold for endless button-mashing and levelling-up, since there’s really nothing else to the game.

Eurogamer

The all-new split-screen multiplayer modes are a bit hit and miss, but still welcome nevertheless.