GENRE
	Turn-Based Strategy
	DEVELOPER
	Banpresto
	PUBLISHER
	Atlus
	NUMBER OF PLAYERS
	1
	CONNECTIVITY
	No
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While Japanese fans of the series had to wait three long years between GBA's Super Robot Taisen: Original Generation and its sequel, Americans only had a few short months between releases. Of course, since the Japanese had about fifty installments in the series compared to two in the US, this may or may not seem like a fair trade. Like the first game in the Original Generation series and all other Super Robot Taisen games, Super Robot Taisen: Original Generation 2 focuses on tactics-based combat with a huge variety of customization.

visuals

Graphically the game is nearly indistinguishable from its predecessor. The mechs are displayed in all their chibi glory during battle sequences with a few larger shots spliced in during special attacks. During map sequences, of which the game is primarily comprised, the perverse smallness of the giant robots is emphasized even more, as they are reduced to tiny paramecia on the stark grid of battle. The story is conveyed via text boxes and static portraits, which won't offend 16-bit veterans but might seem somewhat dated to those used to console-quality presentation.

Unlike the other games in the Super Robot Taisen series, which tend to involve famous fictional mechs from series like Mobile Suit Gundam or Martian Successor Nadesico, the Original Generation games have only the robots introduced by developer Banpresto in other series installments. This game is far from being simply made up of filler robots, as some of the units have as much character as any of their officially-licensed counterparts.

audio

Again, a lot of content is recycled from the first Original Generation. Each character can be assigned a battle theme, and although all of them are not unique, tinkering around with the battle music can prove an interesting diversion. Outside of combat, the retro aural cues are useful for creating atmosphere during story sequences. A villians theme, conference theme and a tragic theme quickly emerge as some of the primary mood-setters.

gameplay

After a brutal clash against the EFA forces, the remnants of the Divine Crusaders (DC) have grouped together in order to strike again at their enemies. Meanwhile, two seemingly unconnected alien threats have also risen to threaten the Earth's security. With these types of dangers lurking around every corner, it's no wonder that ATX team leader Kyosuke Nanbu wants to gather up as many comrades as he's able. Players will meet several new and returning characters as they search for the hidden Super Robots, many of which have played parts in other Super Robot Taisen games.

Turn-based combat makes up the foundation of SRT: OG2. While it will feel familiar to any strategy fans, the battles are quite a bit deeper than they initially seem. On the defensive phase, the player can choose to have each unit defend against an attack, try to avoid it completely or to counter-attack an enemy, which is the default option. Knowing which option to choose and when to choose it can be the difference between winning and losing a battle. In addition, each pilot has individual skills, which work on an indirect basis only, meaning that moves will have to be calculated far in advance. Using a skill to raise a unit's Hit/Evade percentage on the offensive phase could ensure a successful evade and counterattack fifteen turns later on the defensive phase.

The true strength of SRT: OG2 lies in the character customization, which has almost limitless depth. Each player character has a vehicle or robot to pilot and five weapons per unit. Not only can each character be developed in several different ways, but so can each robot and each individual weapon. This leaves a lot of room for players to develop their own combat style. One character can be turned into a sniper, specializing in long-range combat, while another could have his attack strength boosted, and yet another could focus completely on evade percentage, enabling him to dodge nearly any assault. Units can be customized individually or as a group. Proper advancement of skills and attributes leads to success in combat and can be just as rewarding of an experience as the fighting itself.

multiplayer

N/A

overall

Super Robot Taisen: Original Generation 2 takes a gaggle of giant robots that could be from any of a number of Japanese animated television series and a story line worthy of any of the same; of course, none of them are. However, save for the script, SRT: OG2 features very little new content when compared to its predecessor. Considering the games were released three years apart in Japan, it wouldn't have been totally out of character for a few interface upgrades to have been made, as the menus and map grid still seem fairly rough. While the deep gameplay and long-paced play sessions (thankfully endowed with a quick-save feature) can be engrossing and rewarding for experienced players, strategy novices will be left in the dust fairly quickly; so, like the first game, this title is probably best for mecha and turn-based tactics fans.

7.8/10