Keio Flying Squadron 2

Keio Flying Squadron 2 (慶応遊撃隊活劇編, Keiō Yūgekitai: Katsugeki-hen) is a 1996 Japanese video game for the Sega Saturn. Developed by Victor Entertainment, it is a direct sequel to Keio Flying Squadron. While the first game is a side-scrolling shoot 'em up, the second game is a platformer with shooter sections.

Keio Flying Squadron 2
European cover art
Developer(s)Victor Entertainment
Publisher(s)
Director(s)Satoru Honda
Platform(s)Sega Saturn
Release
  • JP: May 17, 1996
  • EU: 1997
Genre(s)Platformer, scrolling shooter
Mode(s)Single-player

Like the first game, the second game refers to Japanese culture, both ancient and modern simultaneously.

Plot

The second installment of the series continues the story of Rami Nana-Hikari's adventures as the keeper of the Secret Treasure. A year has passed since the apocalyptic disaster which left a great crater in the center of Edo City. The destruction wrought major economic consequences and while much investment was poured into the public works for the new Edo Castle, the citizens were all feeling the pinch of the recession.

Dr. Pon Eho was no exception. Although a freak of nature with an astronomical IQ of 1400, hard reality forced the genius raccoon to become a laborer in the construction of the New Castle. One day, while he was shoveling away some gravel near the center of the crater, he unearthed the Secret Treasure Scroll and one of the Six Magical Orbs! With the knowledge that the six Orbs together would bring him enormous wealth, he quickly left his job in search of the remaining five Orbs listed on the Scroll's map.

Meanwhile, Himiko Yamatai, "the Pompous Queen of the Ancients", makes a dramatic appearance at the Nana-Hikari family's dinner table and grabs the family's Magical Orb. But before she can get away, Dr. Pon ambushes her and steals it. Of course, Rami makes chase and joins the race for the great treasure, starting her on her new adventure.

This game features animated cutscenes provided by Studio Pierrot, who also provided the animation for the cutscenes in the first game.

Gameplay

The game mainly consists of sidescrolling platformer stages.[1] Two of the stages retain the shoot-'em-up style of the first game, but the lesser dragons can be obtained as bonuses only. Besides the platformer and shoot-'em-up stages, there are vertically scrolling special stages, an underwater stage and a rollercoaster stage, classifying the game as a multi-genre platformer.

Several bonuses can be collected including three weapons:

  • Atami - The Hammer of Dreams - A large mallet, used only for hitting enemies.
  • Kinugawa - The Umbrella of Love - An umbrella, used to hit enemies, float and deflect overhead obstacles.
  • Kusatsu - The Arrow of Hope - A bow, used to shoot arrows at enemies.

Rami can also bounce on the heads of enemies to defeat them. Being damaged without holding an item results in the loss of a life. Background objects can be pick up and thrown at enemies to defeat them. Some background objects can also have a utility use. There are three difficulty levels which alter how many enemies there are to defeat and how quickly weapons disappear after being damaged.

Points Orbs can be collected throughout the game. Defeating some enemies also rewards points but there are enemies such as miners that are considered passive and will instead deduct points when defeated. A reward system accessed from the main menu unlocks helpful hints and behind-the-scenes extras depending on the highest and lowest scores achieved through playing.

Characters

Japanese names are given in the western order, given name first.

  • Rami Nana-Hikari - Grandchild of an ancient family with the mission of guarding the Key that opens the Ark, Rami wears a traditional kimono at the beginning of the game, and changes into the "Super Ultra Cute Battle Suit", which is nothing more than a bunny girl costume, complete with bunny ears and tail. Voiced by Miho Kanno[2] (Japanese); Samantha Paris (English).
  • Spot Nana-Hikari - Rami's pet dragon, always loyal but as lazy as his owner. Because he worked so hard in the first game, he became soporose and now sleeps and nods out whenever he can. In this game, he has a supporting role assisting Rami. Spot is called Pochi in the Japanese release of the game. Voiced by Mika Kanai (Japanese); Roger L. Jackson (English).
  • "Grandma" and "Grandpa" Nana-Hikari - Rami's natural grandparents who have brought her up and belong to the clan of the keeper who have been guarding the Key of the Secret Treasure and Magical Orb for generations. Two years ago, when they came to the realization that they no longer look very good in the bunny suits, they decided to resign their posts to Rami and enjoy their retirement. Voiced by Keiko Yamamoto (Japanese; Grandma), Jōji Yanami (Japanese; Grandpa); Roger L. Jackson (English; both).
  • Himiko Yamatai - Rami's rival, a princess who claims the Orbs rightfully belong to her royal family. She controls the mysterious psi-powered vehicle Psy-Vee 1 and 2. Himiko is a year younger than Rami, according to the game's English manual, which would make her 13. Voiced by Mika Kanai (Japanese); Elaine A. Clarke (English).
  • Dr. Pon Eho - A super intelligent raccoon who stole the Nana-Hikari family's Magical Orb. His IQ is 1400. He is a member of Greenpeace. Voiced by Jōji Yanami (Japanese); Roger L. Jackson (English).

Voice cast

Japanese
  • Miho Kanno as Rami Nana-Hikari
  • Mika Kanai as Spot Nana-Hikari and Himiko Yamatai
  • Jōji Yanami as Dr. Pon Eho and Grandpa
  • Keiko Yamamoto as Grandma
  • Kae Araki as Yōshiko Oroshiya and Funny Face #2
  • Keiji Fujiwara as Sumo Wrestler #1, Funny Face #3, Benkei Musashibō and Cardinal Xavier
  • Nobuo Tobita as Umbrella Raccoons, Fishing Raccoons, Yobidashi, Sumo Wrestler #2, Funny Face #1, Mech-Shogun and Apocalypse's Heart
  • Wataru Takagi as Toxic Waste Disposer and Ninjas
  • Dai Sasahara as Musashi the Sumo Champion
  • Hikiko Takemasa as Hamsters and 3-Meter Alien
  • Recording Studio: Avaco Creative Studios

English
  • Samantha Paris as Rami Nana-Hikari, Funny Face #1 and Hamsters
  • Roger L. Jackson as Spot Nana-Hikari, Dr. Pon Eho, Grandma, Grandpa, Umbrella Raccoons, Fishing Raccoons, Sumo Wrestler #1, Sumo Wrestler #2, Musashi the Sumo Champion, Funny Face #3, Ninjas and Mech-Shogun
  • Elaine A. Clark as Himiko Yamatai, Funny Face #2, 3-Meter Alien and Yōshiko Oroshiya
  • Toby Gleason as Toxic Waste Disposer, Benkei Musashibō and Apocalypse's Heart
  • Don Robins as Cardinal Xavier
  • Recording Studio: Music Annex, San Francisco, CA
  • Translation & Recording: Watanabe-Robins and Associates

Release

Keio Flying Squadron 2 (慶応遊撃隊活劇編, Keiō Yūgekitai: Katsugeki-hen) was released in May 1996 for the Sega Saturn in Japan, in August 1996 in Europe,[1] and Australia. Keiō Yūgekitai Okiraku Tamatebako (慶応遊撃隊お気楽玉手箱) was a "not for resale" Sega Saturn disc only available in Japan in 1996. The disc contains higher quality versions of both the opening and ending FMV sequences of the first game, demo levels from the second game, and an art gallery available both in-game and separately, being accessible on the CD via a personal computer.

Rami-chan no Ōedo Sugoroku ~Keiō Yūgekitai Gaiden~ (蘭未ちゃんの大江戸すごろく慶応遊撃隊外伝) is a party game released only in Japan on the PlayStation on September 17, 1998. The title roughly translates to "Rami-chan's Big Edo Sugoroku - a Keiō Yūgekitai Sidestory." Edo is the old name of Tokyo.

Reception

Sam Hickman wrote in Sega Saturn Magazine that the game has very generic and overly easy gameplay, but is still somewhat fun to play, largely due to the intriguingly strange graphics. However, she concluded that most people would not find it worth the retail price, and scored it a 78%.[6]

References
  1. "Keio Flying Squadron: Cute Bunny Girls Flying Across a War-Torn Japan? Yoiks! It's Keio Flying Squadron!". Sega Saturn Magazine. No. 10. Emap International Limited. August 1996. p. 24.
  2. "【次世代機／5月17日】今日は『慶応遊撃隊 活劇編』の発売22周年！【レトロゲーム】". Gamedrive (in Japanese). May 17, 2017. Retrieved 2019-05-20.
  3. B, R (July 1996). "Planet Saturn: Keio Flying Squadron 2". MAN!AC. Germany: Cybermedia. p. 55.
  4. "Sega Saturn Soft Review". Sega Saturn Magazine (in Japanese). Japan: Softbank. June 10, 1996. p. 230.
  5. "Review: Keio Flying Squadron 2". Total Saturn. No. 1. United Kingdom: Rapide Publishing. October 1996. pp. 44–45.
  6. Hickman, Sam (September 1996). "Review: Keio Flying Squadron". Sega Saturn Magazine. No. 11. United Kingdom: Emap International Limited. pp. 76–77.
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