That forces a fundamental shift in how you skulk around levels. However you’re kitted out though, there’s one major change to Aragami 2‘s stealth mechanics – while you’ll remain hidden under the cover of shadow, you can no longer “Shadow Leap” to any spot of darkness, only to certain rooftops or ledges.
There are often hidden collectibles or stashes of gold to be found that are only realistically reached with higher spec skills. Some may be nightmarishly tough the first time you have to play them through, but returning with new skills later can be fiendishly fun. The versatility of the entire skill system also feeds back into the replayable mission structure. You’ll even be able to briefly turn invisible with the right skill unlocked. Other powers aid stealth, such as blowing up light-emitting crystals to provide cover (or, upgraded, knock out enemies), or allow you to mesmerise foes, allowing slightly more daring movements around areas as you can run up to attack without them raising an alarm.
Initially, any guard in earshot will respond, but once upgraded you’ll be able to target a single enemy, enabling you to take them out one by one. One of the first powers is simply the ability to whistle, luring guards away to investigate the disturbance. While some of the passive skills provide useful techniques such as seeing an enemy’s patrol path, helping you figure out when to move without being spotted, the active powers are a sadistic delight – and as they’re all upgradable by spending further ability points on them, usually get even more so. While one of the first game’s signature abilities – creating a path of shadows to teleport to – seems to have slipped into the darkness itself, its absence is more than made up for with an entire tree of new ninja tricks. Those skills and powers also get a brilliant expansion in Aragami 2. It’s a stark departure from the first game, but it all works for the better, not only giving you a space to forge a connection with, but a place to better customise your character and prepare for the next mission. Kakurega itself acts as a hub world between each outing, allowing you to interact with villagers, spend ability points to unlock new passive skills and active Shadow Powers, or craft armour and consumable support items. Completing missions earns experience points, as the Aragami now levels up RPG-style rather than finding hidden scrolls to learn abilities, and can be replayed to chase a higher success rank or earn extra experience to level grind. While the original told a fairly guided, linear story, Aragami 2 instead opts for a mission-based approach with the village elder, Katashi, sending you off to investigate Akatsuchi’s movements or rescue villagers. Drawn to Kakurega Village, a small town entirely populated by fellow shadow people, you’ll learn that not only is the population slowly losing their memories but the entire Rashomon Valley is under threat from a faction knows as the Akatsuchi. Players take on the role of an Aragami – a being seemingly made of shadows – after awakening from a bloody skirmish. Just about everything else about the game has changed, from its stealth mechanics and power sets to the very structure of the game itself. Returning players will find Aragami 2 an almost shocking departure from its predecessor, to the extent that its red-and-black garbed protagonist is about the only solid link.
In some respects, coming in blind might be preferable, as the two games are almost as different as night and day – for better and worse.
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