Become the Ultimate Ninja
With the release of Aragami 2 fast approaching, it seems like a good time to take a closer look at what the latest title from Lince Works has to offer. Aragami 2 centers on a new protagonist and expands its gameplay mechanics in some surprising ways that allow players to tackle missions with greater freedom of choice.
Aragami 2 is the third game from Lince Works, a Barcelona-based studio known for their work on the franchise ever since the release of Aragami in 2016. In a series of trailers and gameplay deep dives Lince Works has shown off a little of Aragami 2’s story as well as its stealth and combat gameplay in greater detail.
What Do You Fight For?
Aragami 2 takes place a hundred years after the events of the original game and is led by a new protagonist, Kurai, a member of the Kurotsuba clan and an Aragami. The Aragami are master assassins, creatures of shadow and blood rarely seen before they strike.
Kurai dies in order to become one of these Aragami, breaking free of the enslavement he labored under in service to the invading Akatsuchi empire. Now he seeks to destroy the Akatsuchi and liberate his people who’ve been placed under a debilitating curse by the lords of this invasive force.
Spirit, Ghost, or Demon
There are three different playstyles Aragami 2 is built around: the Spirit, the Ghost, and the Demon. Each one caters to a different element of the Aragami 2 experience: the Spirit is the wind through the trees, making its way without leaving a trace; the Ghost is the knife in the dark, eliminating enemies without being noticed; and the Demon is a raging fire, cutting down foes with ruthless efficiency.
Stealth looks robust with fluid movement that’s augmented by special Aragami abilities that allow Kurai to dash through the air, turn invisible, or pull enemies close for a knockout. Each of these abilities can also be upgraded using experience earned for completing missions and meeting certain additional parameters.
Combat is a new feature for the Aragami franchise and functions as an extension of the stealth gameplay: quick dodges and carefully timed attacks are the best bet when encountering enemies head-on. String combos together to wear an enemy down or parry their attacks to open a window for a fatal strike.
What’s more, enemies won’t wait around for their turn to take Kurai down, attacking simultaneously in an attempt to catch him off guard. They’ll call allies to join in the fray, and certain enemy types like the Scorched and the Warforged boast different abilities and resistances that make them trickier to take down than the average guard.
Assemble Your Clan
Aragami 2 looks to be a leap forward for Lince Works and a return to form for fans of the stealth-action genre. In addition to the improvements to stealth and the new combat features Aragami 2 will also boast armor customization, additional stealth missions to test your ninja skills, and a cooperative campaign that can be played with up to three people.
Look for Aragami 2 to emerge from the shadows on September 17, 2021, for Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, PC via Steam, and Xbox GamePass.
