Crossed Swords II
{{Short description|1995 video game}}
{{Infobox video game
|title = Crossed Swords II
|image = Neo Geo CD Crossed Swords II cover art.jpg
|developer = ADK
|publisher = ADK
|director = Akira Ushizawa
|producer = Kazuo Arai
|designer = Atsushi Kobayashi
Hajime Suzuki
Hiroe Hashimoto
|programmer = Hideo Kamoda
Teruaki Shirasawa
|artist = Hatsue Honbe
Katsue Matsuzaki
|composer = Hideki Yamamoto
Hiroaki Shimizu
Yuka Watanabe
|series = Crossed Swords
|platforms = Neo Geo CD
|released = {{vgrelease|JP|2 May 1995}}
|genre = Action role-playing, beat 'em up, hack and slash
|modes = Single-player, co-op
}}
{{nihongo foot|Crossed Swords II|クロスス ウォード II|Kurosu Sōdo II||lead=yes|group=lower-alpha}} is a hack and slash action role-playing video game developed and published by ADK exclusively for the Neo Geo CD in Japan on May 2, 1995.{{cite web|url=http://tk-nz.game.coocan.jp/gamedatabase/software/DB_SKC_NG1995.html|title=NEO GEO Soft > 1995|publisher=GAME Data Room|accessdate=2019-06-15|language=ja}} The sequel to the original Crossed Swords, It is one of the few exclusive titles to be released for the console, as it was never officially released for either Neo Geo MVS (arcade) and Neo Geo AES (home) platforms.{{cite magazine|title=International Outlook - Crossed Swords II|magazine=Electronic Gaming Monthly|issue=69|publisher=Sendai Publishing|date=April 1995|page=76}}
Taking place several decades after the events of the original game, the story follows a crew of three adventurers on a journey across the kingdom of Belkana to slay the returning demon warlord Nausizz, whose castle rises from hell once again and his servants are threatening to conquer the land by bringing chaos and destruction with his reign.
Gameplay
File:NEOGEO Crossed Swords II.png
Crossed Swords II is a hack and slash action role-playing game that is primarily played in a third-person perspective like its predecessor where players take control from either of the three warriors, each with their own unique advantages and disadvantages, on a quest to slay the returning demon warlord Nausizz who returns from the underworld after his previous defeat in order to conquer the kingdom of Belkana with his army of monstrous creatures across twelve acts in total.{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/details/neogeofreak0001/page/n124|title=新作情報 CD - クロススウォード II|magazine=Neo Geo Freak|issue=1|publisher=Geibunsha|date=May 1995|pages=122–123|lang=ja}}{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/details/neogeofreak0002/page/n114|title=新作情報 CD - クロススウォード II|magazine=Neo Geo Freak|issue=2|publisher=Geibunsha|date=June 1995|pages=113–119|lang=ja}} The sequel expands upon the original gameplay further by adding new elements and mechanics such as experience points to increase the experience level of their respective player character, a new button dedicated for jumping and dashing, giving the players extra abilities and the ability to dodge incoming enemy attacks, among other abilities to master. After completing each act, players can buy recovery items and new magic attacks, as well as increasing their experience level, via a shopkeeper with the gold collected. If the players are killed in action, a limited number of continues to keep playing are present for use before the game is over. In addition to the regular campaign, there is a survival mode where an endless array of monsters with different levels of strengths must be fought against until the players are defeated.
Development and release
Crossed Swords II was one of the few games designed specifically for the Neo Geo CD, rather than being a Neo Geo MVS/AES port and it was released exclusively in Japan on May 2, 1995.{{cite video game|title=Crossed Swords II|developer=ADK|publisher=ADK|date=May 2, 1995|platform=Neo Geo CD|level=Staff roll|language=ja}}{{cite magazine|url=http://download.abandonware.org/magazines/CD%20Consoles/cdconsoles09/page%20021.jpg|title=Actualités Internationales - Crossed Swords 2 • Neo Geo CD|magazine=CD Consoles|issue=9|publisher=Pressimage|date=July–August 1995|page=21|lang=fr}} Although the game was not released in western regions, the game will display English text if played on non-Japanese consoles. Despite never receiving an official MVS/AES release, the game was unofficially converted to both platforms in 2015 by homebrew developer Neobitz.{{cite web|last=Buchanan|first=Adam|url=http://www.retrocollect.com/News/neo-geo-cd-exclusive-crossed-swords-2-ported-to-aes-a-mvs-for-physical-cartridge-release.html|title=Neo Geo CD Exclusive 'Crossed Swords II' Ported To AES & MVS For Physical Cartridge Release|website=retrocollect.com|date=May 12, 2015|access-date=2019-06-15}}
Reception
In 2014, HobbyConsolas identified Crossed Swords II as one of the twenty best games for the Neo Geo CD.{{cite web|last=Alonso|first=Álvaro|url=https://www.hobbyconsolas.com/reportajes/20-mejores-juegos-neo-geo-cd-63564|title=Reportaje: Los 20 mejores juegos de Neo Geo CD|work=HobbyConsolas|publisher=Axel Springer SE|date=February 19, 2014|access-date=2023-02-06|language=es|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140302151141/https://www.hobbyconsolas.com/reportajes/20-mejores-juegos-neo-geo-cd-63564|archive-date=2014-03-02|url-status=live}}
Notes
{{Notelist}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/neogeocd/578855-crossed-swords-ii Crossed Swords II] at GameFAQs
- [https://www.giantbomb.com/crossed-swords-ii/3030-40322/ Crossed Swords II] at Giant Bomb
- [https://www.mobygames.com/game/neo-geo-cd/crossed-swords-ii Crossed Swords II] at MobyGames
{{Portal bar|1990s|Japan|Video games}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Crossed Swords II}}
Category:Action role-playing video games
Category:Cooperative video games
Category:First-person video games
Category:Multiplayer and single-player video games
Category:Video games developed in Japan
Category:Video games scored by Hideki Yamamoto