Soldner-X 2:Final Prototype Review

SeanNOLA’s Take: The 2D Shooter has always been a genre of exclusion.  Each new generation spawns bulletstorms more grueling than the last, forcing players to sharpen their skills, or find a new hobby. I lost my nerve in high school, playing DonPachi; as beautiful a shooter as it was, my thumbs just weren’t up to the task.  I decided my quarters were better spent elsewhere. Soldner-X 2: Final Prototype walks the thin line between “challenging” and “difficult,” but still manages to offer enough of both to satisfy Vic Viper Vets and novices alike.

X2, like its predecessor, is a side scrolling space-shooter, very similar to Gradius.  In the beginning, players can choose between two ships, each with unique characteristics and starting weapons, but additional ships can be unlocked.  Unlike many traditional shooters, Soldner X-2 gives players a hefty health bar, rather than killing the pilot with a single stray bullet. This way, the challenge stems not simply from dodging the bullets and foes, but also by coaxing braver pilots into the fray with waves of collectables.  Battles become much more tactical than a typical one-hit-kill shooter, as you have the option to sacrifice a little health to dive in and grab a pile of rings or a power up.

Although power-ups are still dropped by select enemies, additional power-ups can be earned by filling up a Chain-Meter.  The Chain fills up as you collect rings scattered throughout each level, but will empty if you continuously fire for too long without collecting anything.  The more chains you complete, the higher your score and the better the power-ups you will collect.  Some power-ups can even be used to unlock additional levels or new weapons, so seasoned players will find themselves glued to the Chain Meter.  

Although Soldner -X 2 is relatively short, its strength comes from its replayablility.  There are multiple endings, several challenges events to complete, and a handful of trophies to collect. As you play and destroy enemies, you earn experience to reach new levels which unlock perks and make the challenges easier, such as more ships and powerful weapons.  Although reaching the game’s “end” can take only a few minutes, unlocking everything can take several hours.

Coming from someone who has been on the outside of the shooter-elite, looking in, for the better part of a decade, Soldner-X 2 is a solid game that is worth picking up.  It never gets to the point of frustrating bullet-hell, like so many other shooters, but remains challenging throughout.  It looks and sounds great, and offers local multiplayer, which is a rarity nowadays.  Hi-score junkies will have a blast with this, and when bundled with the original, it becomes quite a deal.