In MagnaCarta 2, the player controls their characters from a third-person perspective, usually in one of two "Modes". In Movement Mode, the player explores the area, talks with other characters and interacts with the environment. In Combat Mode, the player character enters a battle stance, which lets them fight enemies at the cost of slower movement speed.[9]
The game's battle system combines strategic turn-based and real-time elements and battles directly occur in the field, with no loading screens. Up to three active members can be in the field at any one time, with the remaining three members waiting to be switched in. The player can choose between using normal attacks or moves that use Kan, a type of energy. These Kan moves generate or use Kan. If all three active members' hit points reach zero, the game is over and the player restarts from their last save point.[9]
As the player presses the attack button, their character's "Overdrive" gauge will fill up. Once full, the character will enter an "Overdrive" state, where their attack power is increased. However, once the player can no longer attack, their character will fall into an "Overheat" state, rendering them unable to attack until the gauge lowers enough for them to attack again. Players can use this gauge to their advantage by using "Chain Drives"—the process of Overdriving one character into Overheat, immediately switching to another character already present, then Overdriving them as well. This frees both members' Overdrive gauges, enabling both to attack without hindrance. Players can also use Solo and Co-op Techniques, which unleash devastating combination attacks on their target.[9]
The player collects Kamonds to power-up weapons via their accompanying "Kamond Board". Kamonds are also used to strengthen characters and craft new items. Kamonds are usually obtained by defeating monsters or Sentinels, but can also be found in treasure chests or as rewards for finishing quests. At Kamond Shops, players can craft to turn Kamonds into new accessories. Recipes and money are needed to craft with Kamonds. Recipes are earned as rewards for completing certain quests.[10][11]
Story
The main cast of MagnaCarta 2. Top row: Juto (left), Zephie, and Argo. Bottom row: Crocell, Celestine, and Rue.
MagnaCarta 2 is set in the fictional kingdom of Lanzheim, divided by an ongoing civil war between the Northern Forces, led by the usurper Shuenzeit Baron; and the Southern Forces, led by Rzephilda "Zephie" Berlinette, the Princess of Lanzheim. In response to the Northern Forces' "Sentinels"—destructive, living weapons based on the extinct Carta race—Zephie forms the Counter-Sentinel Unit in order to turn the tide. However, while trying to find the Sentinels' weakness, Zephie's bodyguard Rue is captured by the Northern Forces. Zephie goes to rescue her friend: however, as they make their escape, they are intercepted by Schuenzeit's best soldier, Elgar the Regicide. Zephie takes Elgar's killing blow to Rue and despite what should have been a mortal wound, drives Elgar away.[12]
Two years later, on Highwind Island, an ancient weapon similar to the Sentinels is discovered in the island's ancient ruins. Because of this, Juto—a young amnesiac with a fear of swords[13]—soon encounters Zephie and Argo, who came to investigate the weapon for the Southern Forces.[14] Learning that Northern Forces soldiers have arrived in the ruins and remembering that his adoptive sister, Melissa, had gone there earlier, Juto volunteers to guide the Counter-Sentinel Unit members to the ruins.[14][15] Upon arrival, they find that the Northern Forces have activated the weapon. When the weapon injures Melissa, Juto single-handedly destroys the weapon in a berserker rage.[16]
The game received "average" reviews according to the review aggregation website Metacritic.[25]IGN criticized the battle system stating, "this feels almost archaic and could have been run on a PS1, enemy AI is almost non-existent and character abilities are generic."[24] Robert Townslend of Game Informer said, "While the story starts off having the potential to be great, it quickly degrades into the same old story of a young man with no memories saving a kingdom. This has only been done thousands of times in other games."[citation needed] Annette Gonzalez of Game Informer was more positive, citing that the "[b]attles are intuitive and addicting, although awkward camera angles can sometimes hinder combat"; and praising the voice cast, saying the fully voiced dialogue is a "vast improvement over Tears of Blood."[28] In Japan, Famitsu gave it a score of 30 out of 40, while Famitsu Xbox 360 gave it one eight and three sevens for a total of 29 out of 40.[27]
^Softmax (August 6 – October 28, 2009). Magna Carta 2 (Xbox 360). Banpresto, Bandai Namco Entertainment, Atari. Scene: Prologue. Narrator: It was January, in the year 1149 of the Lanzheim calendar. […] Schuenzeit, Prime Minister of Lanzheim, staged a rebellion, killing Queen Ibrin and usurping the throne. […] Princess Rzephillda, who was 15 years old, had been held prisoner within the palace for a time, but made a miraculous escape and in order to resist Schuenzeit, elisted the help of Count Alex, an influential noble. […] One year later[.] The Northern Forces, [consisting] of Lanzheim army troops and led by Schuenzeit, clashed with the Southern Forces, formed by Count Alex and the lords of neighboring cities. This was the beginning of what would later be called the Lanzheim Civil War.
^Softmax (August 6 – October 28, 2009). Magna Carta 2 (Xbox 360). Banpresto, Bandai Namco Entertainment, Atari. Scene: Flashback. Level/area: Highwind Island. Juto: I knew it… I can't do it. I can't pick up a real sword no matter how hard I try… Why…? / Melissa: You know, you might not remember it, but I bet you've fought in a war. I bet it must've been terrifying, to see so many people dying. Maybe that's why you're scared of real swords, things that hurt people. […] If real swords are no good, then let's start with a wooden sword.
^ abSoftmax (August 6 – October 28, 2009). MagnaCarta 2 (Xbox 360). Banpresto, Bandai Namco Entertainment, Atari. Level/area: Highwind Island - Village. Village Chief: Wh-What is the meaning of this? Northern Forces are in the Windsong Caverns?! / Zephie: They seem to be after the Guardian. […] Please don't worry. We will set out for the caverns at once. But to do so, we will need someone to come along and guide us there. / Juto: I'll go! / Village Chief: Juto? But wait, you're… / Juto: A while ago, Melissa said she was going to the caverns. I want to see if she's safe.
^Softmax (August 6 – October 28, 2009). MagnaCarta 2 (Xbox 360). Banpresto, Bandai Namco Entertainment, Atari. Level/area: Highwind Island - Windsong Caverns. Southern Soldier: Northern Forces soldiers went into the caverns in search of the Guardian. Our troops gave chase to them, along with the head of the Island Guards. / Juto: With Melissa?!
^Softmax (August 6 – October 28, 2009). Magna Carta 2 (Xbox 360). Banpresto, Bandai Namco Entertainment, Atari. Level/area: Highwind Island - Village. Melissa: Juto, you were out cold for three whole days. We were all worried about you. […] / Juto: Melissa, you saw it too, didn't you? You saw me defeat the Guardian. I beat it, and I didn't even have a proper weapon. I beat that monster… But what happened to me in there? All that power… It's like… It's like I'm the one who's the real monster. / Melissa: But Juto, if you hadn't been there, we all might have been killed.
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