Attack on Titan 2

Attack on Titan 2 is an action-packed hack-and-slash game set in the dystopian world of the popular anime and manga series, where humanity battles for survival against colossal Titans. Players assume the role of a customizable scout, joining iconic characters like Eren, Mikasa, and Levi in high-speed combat using Omni-Directional Mobility Gear. Developed by Koei Tecmo, the game retells the anime’s gripping war narrative across seasons 1-2, blending strategic Titan takedowns with base-building and character relationships.

Attack on Titan 2: Aerial Combat Mastery Meets Narrative Ambition

Introduction

In the pantheon of anime-to-game adaptations, Attack on Titan 2 (Omega Force/Koei Tecmo, 2018) stands as a defiant rebuttal to low expectations. Positioned between the franchise’s anime resurgence and manga climax, this sequel amplifies its predecessor’s strengths while carving an identity through inventive narrative framing and refined mechanics. It’s both a retelling of Hajime Isayama’s bleak masterpiece and an original war story—one where players aren’t just witnesses but active participants in humanity’s desperate struggle. This review explores how AOT2 balances fan service with systemic depth, cementing its legacy as a cult classic in the musou genre.

Development History & Context

Studio Vision & Constraints:
Omega Force faced immense pressure following the mixed reception of Attack on Titan: Wings of Freedom (2016). While praised for translating the ODM Gear’s physics into gameplay, critiques centered on repetitive combat and shallow storytelling. For AOT2, director Hideo Suzuki sought to “immerse players as cadets, not tourists,” integrating RPG elements and an original protagonist. Collaboration with Isayama ensured deviations from canon (e.g., customizable characters) felt organic, though time constraints forced tough calls—most notably, the omission of an English dub despite fan requests.

Technical Execution:
Built on the Katana Engine, AOT2 leveraged hardware advancements for larger battlefields (up to 20+ Titans on-screen) and smarter enemy AI. Titans now reacted dynamically to player positioning, with “Alert Levels” triggering aggressive “Danger Zone” states—a feature inspired by Shadow of Mordor’s Nemesis System. Cross-platform optimization varied: The Switch version sacrificed resolution for portability, while PS4/Xbox One maintained 60fps in controlled scenarios. Notably, 360 developers collaborated to synchronize the cel-shaded art style with Wit Studio’s aesthetic across all platforms.

2018 Gaming Climate:
Launched amidst live-service dominance (e.g., Fortnite, Destiny 2), AOT2 championed single-player depth in an online-focused era. Its March release strategically capitalized on Attack on Titan Season 2’s Blu-ray drop, targeting both anime fans and action-game enthusiasts. Koei Tecmo’s faith in Omega Force’s vision paid off—the game outperformed sales projections in Japan, moving 67,042 combined units (PS4/Switch/Vita) in its debut week (Famitsu).

Narrative & Thematic Deep Dive

Structural Innovation:
AOT2’s masterstroke is its “War Journal” protagonist—a fully customizable cadet embedded in the 104th Training Corps. This silent avatar experiences canon events (Trost, Female Titan arc) from the sidelines, lending fresh weight to scenes like Marco Bott’s death or Erwin’s charge. The narrative gains texture through “Another Mode” vignettes: Sharing rations with Sasha humanizes her gluttony, while sparring with Annie unveils her disillusionment with the Military Police. These moments aren’t filler; they’re narrative tendons connecting combat bones.

Themes & Player Agency:
The game interrogates Attack on Titan’s core themes—total war’s dehumanization, the cycle of vengeance—through systemic storytelling. Failing to rescue NPCs during missions triggers permanent consequences: Lose Gunther Schultz in an early skirmish, and Levi’s squad mourns him at camp, altering dialogue trees. The protagonist’s optional oath (“I’ll destroy every Titan”) shifts to existential doubt as bonds with pacifists like Armin deepen. AOT2 even subverts its power fantasy: Dominating Titans in combat feels exhilarating until you return to camp and see recruits vomiting from trauma.

Pacing & Original Content:
Retelling Seasons 1-2 (episodes 1-26) risks redundancy, but Omega Force dodges this via a non-linear structure. Flashbacks contextualize the protagonist’s vendetta against the Armored Titan, while the “Final Chapter”—an original epilogue—lets players decide humanity’s fate post-Season 2. Choices matter: Aligning with the Scout Regiment unlocks Levi-led expeditions beyond the walls, while siding with the Military Police culminates in a purge of dissidents.

Gameplay Mechanics & Systems

Combat Evolution:
The ODM Gear’s mechanics are AOT2’s backbone, refined here with new features:
– Hook Drive Counters: Perfect-dodge timing unleashes cinematic takedowns, severing limbs or blinding Titans.
– Buddy Actions: Contextual team-ups (e.g., Mikasa’s dual-strike) reward positioning and affinity levels.
– Supply Bases: Strategically deploying resource depots/sniper nests adds tactical depth to open zones.

Combat thrives on risk/reward dynamics—conserving gas for evasions vs. spending it on aggressive dive attacks—while Titan variety keeps encounters tense. Abnormals sprint unpredictably, Colossals demand environmental exploitation (e.g., collapsing buildings to stagger them), and Armored Titans require flanking to expose weak points.

Progression & Customization:
A robust skill tree lets players specialize roles (scout, vanguard, tactician), complemented by gear crafting that rewards resource scavenging. Late-game builds enable wild synergies: Equipping “Scatter Formation” (boosts squad damage) with Hange’s “Titan Research” passive turns allies into airstrike-supporting powerhouses. Disappointingly, weapon variety is shallow (only 4 blade types), and Inferno Mode’s difficulty spike feels artificial (gear degrades 300% faster).

Multiplayer & Longevity:
Online co-op (up to 4 players) shines in “Annihilation Mode,” where teams compete to slay Titans or capture territories. “Devour Mode”—added post-launch—flips the script, letting players control Titans in PvP chaos. While fun, matchmaking suffered from low populations outside Japan, pushing players toward the meatier 50+ hour campaign.

World-Building, Art & Sound

Visual Fidelity:
AOT2’s art direction authentically replicates the anime’s aesthetic—billowing Survey Corps cloaks, the eerie gloss of Titan skin—but excels in environmental storytelling. Destroyed districts smolder with procedural debris, and weather effects (e.g., rain-slicked rooftops) impact movement. Performance varies across platforms: The Switch dips to 20fps in chaos, while PC (max settings) delivers buttery-smooth 100fps+ combat.

Audio Design:
Hiroyuki Sawano’s soundtrack adapts anime leitmotifs (“Call of Silence,” “Barricades”) dynamically—orchestral swells during boss fights, eerie silence in abandoned villages. Sound design is equally meticulous; the schiing of blades sharpening pre-mission hauntingly contrasts Titan roars that vibrate controller speakers. Japanese VO work is stellar (Hiroshi Kamiya’s Levi drips with stoic fatalism), making the absent English dub a missed opportunity.

Reception & Legacy

Critical & Commercial Response:
AOT2 earned a 75% critics’ average (MobyGames) and 80% user score (Steam). Praise centered on combat fluidity and narrative ambition, while critiques targeted repetitive side missions. Commercially, it sold over 500K copies worldwide—respectable for a niche title—with the Final Battle DLC (2019) revitalizing interest via Season 3 content.

Cultural Impact:
The game influenced contemporary action-RPGs (Genshin Impact’s aerial combat owes debts to ODM physics) and raised bars for licensed storytelling. Its “create-a-cadet” template inspired Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2’s OC integration, proving players crave agency in established worlds.

Enduring Appeal:
Five years post-launch, AOT2 maintains a cult following via modding communities (PC) and speedrun tournaments. Its blending of musou spectacle with character-driven pathos remains unmatched—a testament to Omega Force’s ambition.

Conclusion

Attack on Titan 2 is more than a licensed game; it’s a love letter to Isayama’s themes of resilience and sacrifice. While flawed (repetition creeps in, Titan AI occasionally falters), its triumphs—white-knuckle aerial combat, affecting character bonds, systemic storytelling—outweigh stumbles. For fans, it’s the definitive interactive Attack on Titan experience. For developers, it’s a blueprint for honoring source material while innovating gameplay. Final Verdict: 9/10 — A flawed titan, but one that soars higher than any anime adaptation before it.