Fullmetal Alchemist 2: Curse of the Crimson Elixir

Not until my wife and I were deprived of cable and internet did we decide to return to the video store for our gaming needs. For me, it was a toss-up between a new Armored Core, Dragon Quest XIII, and Fullmetal Alchemist 2: Curse of the Crimson Elixir. I ended up choosing the latter, and I was not disappointed.

Fans of the series will appreciate the cinematics of this game. It’s chocked full of clips from the show and features all of the main characters you know and love, including Edward, Alfonse, Colonel Mustang, Major Armstrong, Lieutenant Hawkeye, and Scar just to name a few. The graphics are true to the animation, perhaps too much so at times.

Aside from aesthetics, however, the gameplay is fantastic. You learn to perform alchemic feats throughout the game, not the least of which allow Edward to create his signature weapons. I was partial to the sword, personally, but the hammer and spear were available as well, each with its own special combo moves. Al is always around to help, too, and can be ordered to help Ed perform special moves when necessary.

One of the game’s real appeals, however, is also its greatest weakness. The story-based structure is very exciting and makes for engaging gameplay, but it also limits the game’s replay value. Without so much as a higher difficulty setting, there is no real reason to keep going after you’ve beaten it for the first time.

Thus, this game receives my recommendation for rental rather than purchase. It’s a great way to kill a weekend, especially if you’re into the series or just anime in general. Don’t bother buying it, though, because it will have very little play value after you beat it.