Valis II has the same basic plot as its computer counterpart: Rogles, the tyrant of the magical world Vecanti, was defeated, and a new emperor named Megas is terrorizing its inhabitants. It's up to the Japanese schoolgirl Yuko to take on her persona of the Valis Soldier and vanquish Megas. Gameplay-wise, this version differs from the computer releases significantly. Though it has six stages that end with the same boss enemies, its level design, layout, and many regular enemies are different. This release also completely removes two key gameplay features of the computer version: the ability to equip different weapons and armor, and the flying side-scrolling shooter stages.
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(Sharp x68000)
This is one of the best games of the series, It's much better than the PCE version, more fun, more mechanics, level design is much less worse. Honestly the PCE version is terrible in every aspect, i recommend skipping this version and playing the Sharp x68000 one, Although it is very difficult to emulate, it is much more worth it
This is one of the best games of the series, It's much better than the PCE version, more fun, more mechanics, level design is much less worse. Honestly the PCE version is terrible in every aspect, i recommend skipping this version and playing the Sharp x68000 one, Although it is very difficult to emulate, it is much more worth it
(PCE)
There's nothing much to mention, it's a brutal downgrade from the first PCE valis, the level design is terrible, extremely frustrating, It's just not worse than the PC 88 valis
There's nothing much to mention, it's a brutal downgrade from the first PCE valis, the level design is terrible, extremely frustrating, It's just not worse than the PC 88 valis
This was the best Valis game.
Even if it wasn’t the most creative or original game of its genre, I managed to have a pretty good time with Valis: The Fantasm Soldier. It had plenty of good 2D action going for it, it had a lot of anime-styled cutscenes for the time, and voice acting that still holds up pretty well to this day, making it a good surprise when I did eventually get to play it for myself. All that being said though, I did also completely understand why not too many others were able to get into it, as it really doesn’t do anything new for the genre whatsoever, and if you weren’t able to get into the anime cutscenes, then the game didn’t really have much else to offer. Now, as I ventured forth into the second title in this series, I was a little hesitant to do so, as based on what I had played from Psycho Dream, I had a feeling that Telenet could only make one type of game, and this next title was going to be more of that. But, I decided to give it a shot anyways, and played through Valis II.
If there was a word that I could use to describe Valis II in comparison to the original game, I would say it was “simple”. The game as a whole feels much more simple, and more so basic, then the original game, in terms of its gameplay, story, and presentation, which is saying a lot, considering that the original game was already pretty basic on its own. Not to mention, if you didn’t like what the original Valis gave you, then you aren’t going to like this game at all, as it does pretty much nothing to innovate on the previously established formula. With all that in mind, I would still consider Valis II to be a good game all in all, but if I were given the choice to go back to playing either this one or the original, I would choose the original any day.
The story is, when paired alongside the generic anime plot of the last game, another generic anime plot we have seen plenty of times before, with twists and turns that are also extremely generic, but once again, I didn’t really mind all too much, the graphics are pretty good for the time, having plenty of detail for a game made in 1989, along the cutscenes themselves also being very well animated, again, for a video game made in 1989, the music is alright, providing plenty of decent tracks to listen to as you go slashing every monster you see, but nothing really sticks out as being all that memorable, the control works well enough, but I do find it odd that the special attack is mapped to up on the D-pad, and turning and ducking can also be pretty stiff, and the gameplay is pretty much exactly what you would expect from a Valis game, to its own detriment.
The game is a 2D action platformer, where you take control of Yuko Asou, the Valis Warrior, take on a set of six stages, or Acts as they are known as in this game, take out many different enemies and creatures of scaly and deadly proportions using either regular or special attacks, gather plenty of different kinds of projectiles, crystals, hearts, and powerups to assist you throughout the stages, and to help upgrade both your health and attack power to give you an advantage over your foes, and take on plenty of bosses, who may seem threatening at first, but when you have the right arsenal to use, you then are able to take them down very quickly. If you are thinking that this sounds exactly like the original Valis, then you would be correct, as all in all, it is the exact same game as the original. However, unlike other games I have covered like Splatterhouse 2 or Golden Axe II, I didn’t mind that so much here.
Valis II is still a fun enough game, and it does feel pretty satisfying to try out all the different projectiles and weapons that you find in the game to find the one that is suited for your needs. Not to mention, whenever you get enough powerups to upgrade your weapon to max, it allows you to absolutely annihilate anything in your way, and it was fun to experience for a good while. In addition, like with the original game, this game has plenty of anime cutscenes that detail the events of the game, complete with full voice acting for all of the characters. Sure, the animation itself is pretty primitive, and there are several errors that I spotted throughout, but again, for a game made in 1989, it is very impressive for what they managed to do, and it does make the story more engaging. I mean, it’s at least better then just staring at a bunch of static images with text boxes under them.
With all that being said though, like I mentioned, if you didn’t like the original Valis, you aren’t going to like this game. It does absolutely nothing whatsoever to innovate the base gameplay, and the story itself isn’t creative or interesting enough to where you would give that much of a shit about it. Sure, it may be able to please plenty of die-hard Valis fans out there, but that’s really all that it would appeal to. Not to mention, it does feel like a “whatever” game. By the time I reached the final stage and the final boss, I thought to myself “Oh damn, we’re already here? That was fast.” and the final boss himself was piss easy, so the game does really go by without that much of anything to do or say. Based on what I had researched, there are some versions of the game that have scrolling shooter segments, which sounds pretty cool, but not only did I not play those versions, but based on screenshots I have seen, they don’t look all that exciting. Maybe they would’ve helped make the game feel more unique, but I highly doubt it.
Overall, despite still having a great presentation for the time and good enough gameplay, Valis II is one of the most basic, rehashed sequels I have ever seen, not changing up practically anything in the gameplay and feeling like an add-on to the original game that was given a sequel number and release. I wouldn’t say it is as offensive as other lazy sequels, like Golden Axe II, but it is still pretty barebones all around. I would definitely recommend it for huge fans of the Valis franchise, but for everyone else, you are much better off playing any other platformer from this era. But hey, who knows? Maybe there is a chance that this game can redeem itself. After all, there was a chibi-styled remake made for the Genesis three years later, so maybe it- oh, ok, it got worse reviews than the original. Great. Didn’t even get to finish my sentence before reality hit me in the face.
Game #384
If there was a word that I could use to describe Valis II in comparison to the original game, I would say it was “simple”. The game as a whole feels much more simple, and more so basic, then the original game, in terms of its gameplay, story, and presentation, which is saying a lot, considering that the original game was already pretty basic on its own. Not to mention, if you didn’t like what the original Valis gave you, then you aren’t going to like this game at all, as it does pretty much nothing to innovate on the previously established formula. With all that in mind, I would still consider Valis II to be a good game all in all, but if I were given the choice to go back to playing either this one or the original, I would choose the original any day.
The story is, when paired alongside the generic anime plot of the last game, another generic anime plot we have seen plenty of times before, with twists and turns that are also extremely generic, but once again, I didn’t really mind all too much, the graphics are pretty good for the time, having plenty of detail for a game made in 1989, along the cutscenes themselves also being very well animated, again, for a video game made in 1989, the music is alright, providing plenty of decent tracks to listen to as you go slashing every monster you see, but nothing really sticks out as being all that memorable, the control works well enough, but I do find it odd that the special attack is mapped to up on the D-pad, and turning and ducking can also be pretty stiff, and the gameplay is pretty much exactly what you would expect from a Valis game, to its own detriment.
The game is a 2D action platformer, where you take control of Yuko Asou, the Valis Warrior, take on a set of six stages, or Acts as they are known as in this game, take out many different enemies and creatures of scaly and deadly proportions using either regular or special attacks, gather plenty of different kinds of projectiles, crystals, hearts, and powerups to assist you throughout the stages, and to help upgrade both your health and attack power to give you an advantage over your foes, and take on plenty of bosses, who may seem threatening at first, but when you have the right arsenal to use, you then are able to take them down very quickly. If you are thinking that this sounds exactly like the original Valis, then you would be correct, as all in all, it is the exact same game as the original. However, unlike other games I have covered like Splatterhouse 2 or Golden Axe II, I didn’t mind that so much here.
Valis II is still a fun enough game, and it does feel pretty satisfying to try out all the different projectiles and weapons that you find in the game to find the one that is suited for your needs. Not to mention, whenever you get enough powerups to upgrade your weapon to max, it allows you to absolutely annihilate anything in your way, and it was fun to experience for a good while. In addition, like with the original game, this game has plenty of anime cutscenes that detail the events of the game, complete with full voice acting for all of the characters. Sure, the animation itself is pretty primitive, and there are several errors that I spotted throughout, but again, for a game made in 1989, it is very impressive for what they managed to do, and it does make the story more engaging. I mean, it’s at least better then just staring at a bunch of static images with text boxes under them.
With all that being said though, like I mentioned, if you didn’t like the original Valis, you aren’t going to like this game. It does absolutely nothing whatsoever to innovate the base gameplay, and the story itself isn’t creative or interesting enough to where you would give that much of a shit about it. Sure, it may be able to please plenty of die-hard Valis fans out there, but that’s really all that it would appeal to. Not to mention, it does feel like a “whatever” game. By the time I reached the final stage and the final boss, I thought to myself “Oh damn, we’re already here? That was fast.” and the final boss himself was piss easy, so the game does really go by without that much of anything to do or say. Based on what I had researched, there are some versions of the game that have scrolling shooter segments, which sounds pretty cool, but not only did I not play those versions, but based on screenshots I have seen, they don’t look all that exciting. Maybe they would’ve helped make the game feel more unique, but I highly doubt it.
Overall, despite still having a great presentation for the time and good enough gameplay, Valis II is one of the most basic, rehashed sequels I have ever seen, not changing up practically anything in the gameplay and feeling like an add-on to the original game that was given a sequel number and release. I wouldn’t say it is as offensive as other lazy sequels, like Golden Axe II, but it is still pretty barebones all around. I would definitely recommend it for huge fans of the Valis franchise, but for everyone else, you are much better off playing any other platformer from this era. But hey, who knows? Maybe there is a chance that this game can redeem itself. After all, there was a chibi-styled remake made for the Genesis three years later, so maybe it- oh, ok, it got worse reviews than the original. Great. Didn’t even get to finish my sentence before reality hit me in the face.
Game #384
Angel_Arle Valis reviews
Part 2: Valis III for PC Engine CD
Bonus: Valis III for Mega Drive
Part 3: Valis IV for PC Engine CD
Part 4: SD Valis for Mega Drive
Part 5: Mugen Senshi Valis: The Legend of a Fantasm Soldier for PC Engine CD
Part 6: Super Valis: Akaki Tsuki no Otome for Super Famicom
Final Part: Mugen Senshi Valis for Famicom
I might do it this year but I also might not, I can't say but I just wanna kind of talk about my feelings on this franchise and go through the few games it has. I like this series. I think I'm one of the only few who actually cares about this series on this site. Not sure if anyone will care but regardless I don't mind if anyone doesn't. This is something I wanna do because I just think it be fun to do. I probably won't do one for Valis 1 Mega Drive since I already did a long review for it but for the rest, expect me to talk about them someday.
So Valis II, this was the beginning of the series on the PC Engine. Yeah it actually didn't start with 1 which ended up being the last one. This game would get versions on Japanese computers a few months later I think. The game's age has shown and I'm gonna say rn, this is a guilty pleasure for me.
If you read my Super Albatross review you'll know that I said it was a game where it felt like they had a good story in mind but put underwhelming golf gameplay second. Valis II is kind of like that minus the golf obviously. The story is pretty ambitious for a console game in presentation and just scope. I think the only thing that really could rival it was Ninja Ryuukenden or Ninja Gaiden as it's called here. That was also a game that had a good amount of story but had the limitations of being on the Famicom. Granted Valis games aren't something that's going to make you cry or feel super invested in but it's the thing I admire about this series is that it tried to tell a story and honestly I think it sometimes hits. But that gameplay though...
Yeah Valis II is what I like to call straight line the video game. So much of this game is just going straight with maybe some easy light platforming, many enemies to fight and idk sometimes you might go up or down. Levels can also tend to go on for too long at times though the game is only 6 Acts long.
Fighting enemies isn't too hard in fact I will tell you right now this game is incredibly easy once you realize the best weapon is that one thats like a slash wave I don't remember the name. It's not only powerful but it can delete enemy projectiles making the game a breeze. That doesn't mean you should be careless but it's the only weapon you should ever care about getting.
This game also I believe introduced special items that can do stuff like hit every enemy on screen, temporary invincibility, some items to circle around for protection, and even time stop. There's also a defense up item and speed up item that happen automatically when collected. This game is also pretty generous to not make items disappear if you wait too long, you practically have to try to make them go away.
Ohh can we go back to the story real quick? Well actually I have control so I will do that. It's nice seeing connections to the first game with Yuko meeting with a still dead Reiko (I still cry everytime!!) and you even get mentions of the previous game's antagonist Rogles. The new villain Megas is quite a tragic one actually. Once you beat him the game actually hits you hard basically reminding you that one day Yuko will also suffer a tragic fate that Megas had already suffer of that you almost can't help but feel bad for this girl or at least I did...This game also gives Yuko a new outfit in the 2nd half anddddd I don't like it sorry. What kills it for me is just the small little flap that covers her vagina like they knew exactly what they were doing. There's not even artwork for the outfit outside of the PC version covers. Look I'm not gonna sit you all down and tell you why the original Valis Armor was a work of art in design cause I'm kind of just neutral towards even though I've gotten a friend to draw my IRL self wearing the outfit...wait is admitting that going to get me laughed at? but yeah not a fan of the new one. I still do like at least how Yuko's sprite has 3 different outfits depending on where you're at in the game.
Speaking of Megas those bosses sure are easy...I really don't know why they're such a joke especially once you fight them once. You know what's also weird, you get to keep going if you do die, it's the one time the game won't take you back to a checkpoint. Though keep in mind your max lives count is 7. The final boss though is so easy that even in my first playthrough I beat it in less than 30 seconds. I really wonder why they aren't balanced better. I think another issue has to do with the fact that your health bar is massive especially once you get upgrades for it. Well I do at least like how they have random made up stats to pretend it means anything.
I just wanna say I love how this game does the music. It has such a heroic uplifting theme to it all. I like how a lot of the music sounds like it could match similarly to that awesome piece of music on the title screen. This game also marks the first and only time I believe the series has a victory jingle for beating a level but I could be wrong. (Note: I'm an idiot, I somehow forgot SD Valis has one.) My only real issue with the music is for some reason it loops poorly after stage 1. The game looks pretty good for the cutscenes even with that ugly green border cropping. The game itself though is nothing special and I'd argue some backgrounds just don't look all that good to begin with. The voice acting for the cast changes depending on the region you have it for. The english cast is bad but it's like a funny bad but I still do like the attempt at least. The japanese one sounds good and I feel like they must have enjoyed it as there's even a secret message you can find if you do the cheat Yuko tells you if you wait long enough at the "THE END" screen.
Valis II feels like a new beginning for Yuko on consoles. Sure she had a Famicom game before this but it was nothing like any other version of the game and is usually poorly received. Valis II is far from a good game but I still kind of enjoy it probably for being a quick easy game to finish. I admire the attempt it made even if some of it feels half hearted. Laser Soft would later go on to work on Valis IV and SD Valis and for their first attempt, it could have been a lot worse. All I have left to say is everytime the last cutscene plays, I love that shot of Yuko's face as you then see the view with the Valis sword on the ground. Who knows what will happen to Yuko next. The song fits the last scene perfectly really putting a nice end to the game. Am I too emotional about all of this? Yes. If you read all of this then thank you for your time. See you whenever I replay Valis III.
Part 2: Valis III for PC Engine CD
Bonus: Valis III for Mega Drive
Part 3: Valis IV for PC Engine CD
Part 4: SD Valis for Mega Drive
Part 5: Mugen Senshi Valis: The Legend of a Fantasm Soldier for PC Engine CD
Part 6: Super Valis: Akaki Tsuki no Otome for Super Famicom
Final Part: Mugen Senshi Valis for Famicom
I might do it this year but I also might not, I can't say but I just wanna kind of talk about my feelings on this franchise and go through the few games it has. I like this series. I think I'm one of the only few who actually cares about this series on this site. Not sure if anyone will care but regardless I don't mind if anyone doesn't. This is something I wanna do because I just think it be fun to do. I probably won't do one for Valis 1 Mega Drive since I already did a long review for it but for the rest, expect me to talk about them someday.
So Valis II, this was the beginning of the series on the PC Engine. Yeah it actually didn't start with 1 which ended up being the last one. This game would get versions on Japanese computers a few months later I think. The game's age has shown and I'm gonna say rn, this is a guilty pleasure for me.
If you read my Super Albatross review you'll know that I said it was a game where it felt like they had a good story in mind but put underwhelming golf gameplay second. Valis II is kind of like that minus the golf obviously. The story is pretty ambitious for a console game in presentation and just scope. I think the only thing that really could rival it was Ninja Ryuukenden or Ninja Gaiden as it's called here. That was also a game that had a good amount of story but had the limitations of being on the Famicom. Granted Valis games aren't something that's going to make you cry or feel super invested in but it's the thing I admire about this series is that it tried to tell a story and honestly I think it sometimes hits. But that gameplay though...
Yeah Valis II is what I like to call straight line the video game. So much of this game is just going straight with maybe some easy light platforming, many enemies to fight and idk sometimes you might go up or down. Levels can also tend to go on for too long at times though the game is only 6 Acts long.
Fighting enemies isn't too hard in fact I will tell you right now this game is incredibly easy once you realize the best weapon is that one thats like a slash wave I don't remember the name. It's not only powerful but it can delete enemy projectiles making the game a breeze. That doesn't mean you should be careless but it's the only weapon you should ever care about getting.
This game also I believe introduced special items that can do stuff like hit every enemy on screen, temporary invincibility, some items to circle around for protection, and even time stop. There's also a defense up item and speed up item that happen automatically when collected. This game is also pretty generous to not make items disappear if you wait too long, you practically have to try to make them go away.
Ohh can we go back to the story real quick? Well actually I have control so I will do that. It's nice seeing connections to the first game with Yuko meeting with a still dead Reiko (I still cry everytime!!) and you even get mentions of the previous game's antagonist Rogles. The new villain Megas is quite a tragic one actually. Once you beat him the game actually hits you hard basically reminding you that one day Yuko will also suffer a tragic fate that Megas had already suffer of that you almost can't help but feel bad for this girl or at least I did...This game also gives Yuko a new outfit in the 2nd half anddddd I don't like it sorry. What kills it for me is just the small little flap that covers her vagina like they knew exactly what they were doing. There's not even artwork for the outfit outside of the PC version covers. Look I'm not gonna sit you all down and tell you why the original Valis Armor was a work of art in design cause I'm kind of just neutral towards even though I've gotten a friend to draw my IRL self wearing the outfit...wait is admitting that going to get me laughed at? but yeah not a fan of the new one. I still do like at least how Yuko's sprite has 3 different outfits depending on where you're at in the game.
Speaking of Megas those bosses sure are easy...I really don't know why they're such a joke especially once you fight them once. You know what's also weird, you get to keep going if you do die, it's the one time the game won't take you back to a checkpoint. Though keep in mind your max lives count is 7. The final boss though is so easy that even in my first playthrough I beat it in less than 30 seconds. I really wonder why they aren't balanced better. I think another issue has to do with the fact that your health bar is massive especially once you get upgrades for it. Well I do at least like how they have random made up stats to pretend it means anything.
I just wanna say I love how this game does the music. It has such a heroic uplifting theme to it all. I like how a lot of the music sounds like it could match similarly to that awesome piece of music on the title screen. This game also marks the first and only time I believe the series has a victory jingle for beating a level but I could be wrong. (Note: I'm an idiot, I somehow forgot SD Valis has one.) My only real issue with the music is for some reason it loops poorly after stage 1. The game looks pretty good for the cutscenes even with that ugly green border cropping. The game itself though is nothing special and I'd argue some backgrounds just don't look all that good to begin with. The voice acting for the cast changes depending on the region you have it for. The english cast is bad but it's like a funny bad but I still do like the attempt at least. The japanese one sounds good and I feel like they must have enjoyed it as there's even a secret message you can find if you do the cheat Yuko tells you if you wait long enough at the "THE END" screen.
Valis II feels like a new beginning for Yuko on consoles. Sure she had a Famicom game before this but it was nothing like any other version of the game and is usually poorly received. Valis II is far from a good game but I still kind of enjoy it probably for being a quick easy game to finish. I admire the attempt it made even if some of it feels half hearted. Laser Soft would later go on to work on Valis IV and SD Valis and for their first attempt, it could have been a lot worse. All I have left to say is everytime the last cutscene plays, I love that shot of Yuko's face as you then see the view with the Valis sword on the ground. Who knows what will happen to Yuko next. The song fits the last scene perfectly really putting a nice end to the game. Am I too emotional about all of this? Yes. If you read all of this then thank you for your time. See you whenever I replay Valis III.
Love the story developments, I kinda feel bad for Yuko for being dragged into these fantasy Civil War shenanigans without knowing a thing. The cutscenes are great, the sprites aren't that great but they do the job, and the music has some stellar moments.
However the game itself is just not good. The first two stages are pretty simple and awkward but, you know, they are doable. They aren't that taxing if you're constantly blasting your weapons, and you can turn off your brain while you let the music carry the moment.
Stage 3 tho? I noped the fuck out. It's bad. I gave it a good try but it's just too obnoxious. Spongy enemies, awkward spots, very plain presentation and level design... I'm sorry, I can't. I watched the rest through YouTube, it's just not worth it.
A big shame tho, I really fuck with the game in a spiritual way. I love the universe it's building, the pathos the characters are going through, the dramatic scenes, the surreal and psychedelic aesthetics... but gameplay-wise it's just... no.
However the game itself is just not good. The first two stages are pretty simple and awkward but, you know, they are doable. They aren't that taxing if you're constantly blasting your weapons, and you can turn off your brain while you let the music carry the moment.
Stage 3 tho? I noped the fuck out. It's bad. I gave it a good try but it's just too obnoxious. Spongy enemies, awkward spots, very plain presentation and level design... I'm sorry, I can't. I watched the rest through YouTube, it's just not worth it.
A big shame tho, I really fuck with the game in a spiritual way. I love the universe it's building, the pathos the characters are going through, the dramatic scenes, the surreal and psychedelic aesthetics... but gameplay-wise it's just... no.