Jade Cocoon 2

THE BAD:
seen better graphics on the ps2

SUMMARY:
i found this game very interaining and enjoyable. the fact that there was hybrid of the merged monsters didn't bother me because i liked merging them to see what their evolved forms looked like. The renge of monsters was great and i soon found my self trying to spot weaknesses in them so that i knew which to includ in my team.
the story gave you lots of things to do but also gave you your freedom i wasnt really annoyed at the fact that there was only one town because i was too buzy.
the battle system was cool too it gave me the chance to be more tactical which im normaly not, i saw my self putting defence and healing more and more. with the down side that i felt i was annoyed when enemy managed to petfiy all my monsters and leaving me weak and defencive.
true that many ps2 games have better graphics i felt it was a very good game which deserves a 4.8 score.

aside from all this i have heard it being called a pokemon clone , yes they both do have monsters and merging but i felt that jade cocoon 2 was far more complex than pokemon

THE BAD:
Didn't fully build on the original game - some changes made which weren't for the better (see below)

SUMMARY:
The idea of merging is no longer true to the meaning of the word (unlike the original). If you merge 2 monsters the result wont be some mean looking hybrid - it will still look like the 1st monster of the 2.

A good improvement on the original is the 'seed note book' aspect within the game. It is very useful for when you need to remember how you created your beasts.

There are many hidden extras to the game like rare eggs and secret arenas which always make games like this more addictive. I'm also glad to see that they didn't keep the eternal corridor (which WAS endless) feature from the origninal.

A lot more special skills and magic have been added and more beasts can be used in battle. However, the original will always be my favourite because each merged beast always looked unique. Every gamer likes to feel special with his/her unique hybrids but JC2 lacks the variety that its predecessor had (shame)

THE BAD:
Merging is possiable but you have to merge with a base set and it doesn't change their apperence all it does is cause them to revert back to their baby form. You can't capture any more you have to find or buy the eggs. The main character can't fight normaly like Levant could. The beast amulate battle type in my opinion is'nt as good as the original battle type from Jade coccon one. No anime cut scene like the originals opening. Your monster can only know two fighting techs at a time.

SUMMARY:
In my opinion this does not stand up to the original. This kid will always live in Levant's shadow in my eyes.

THE BAD:
Not long enough for my tastes, Repetetive dungeon design and, only one town.

SUMMARY:
I really enjoyed this game and I still do after beating it. I like the ability to merge my monsters together and create new ones. Two player battles are fun if you know anyone else who has this game and has created decent monsters. I would recommend this game to anyone who like the Monster collecting genre or is looking for an RPG diversion that is fun and light hearted after beating FFX.