Last month, Square Enix delved into the world and characters of their upcoming action RPG/Dynasty Warriors-alike, Dragon Quest Heroes II: Twin Kings and the Prophecy’s End. Now, Square Enix has decided that it’s time to explore the game’s mechanical nuances, as reported by Japanese gaming publication 4Gamer.
First up is the leveling system. As with most conventional RPGs, players can earn experience points by winning battles. Experience points are used to increase each characters’ base stats, like attack power and defense. They’ll also earn Skill Points as they level up, which can be used to learn new combat techniques that are unique to each character.
Next is the Tension system. Upon taking or dealing damage, players will build up a Tension gauge. Upon reaching full Tension, the player’s character will enter High Tension mode, which will cause them to glow and grant them the ability to execute a special move unique to each character. Above, we can see the full sequences for Razel’s Gigagash Tension attack, and Theresia’s Gigaslash Tension attack. Super Saiyan much?
The Proficiency system allows players to level up their weapons by damaging enemies. Proficiency allows players to learn new skills associated with the weapon in question, which can be used when that weapon is equipped.
Though every character possesses his or her own set of skills and abilities, the two protagonists – Razel and Theresia – have the special ability to change their class outside of combat. Each class has its own levels, skill points, and weapon specializations. Warriors, for example, use dual blades, one-handed swords, and axes, and can use powerful melee skills. Priests use staves, spears, and clubs, and focus on healing allies. And so forth.
And now for the feature we’ve all been waiting for: multiplayer. Though Dragon Quest fans enjoyed the first Heroes game, many were puzzled by the lack of a multiplayer feature. After all, what greater joy is there than to buddy up with your friends and hack-and-slash away at some adorable Slimes? Dragon Quest Heroes II rectifies this problem with its “Co-op Play.” Players will be able to form parties of up to four individuals to tackle story mode content and side dungeons. Among these is the “Space-Time Labyrinth,” which is filled with tough foes (including the Dragon Quest series’ notorious Metal Slime).
If your friends are playing the game on a different system than you are, there’s no need to fret. There will be cross-play between PS4, PS3, and PS Vita. Cross-save, in which players can transfer save files between systems, will also be available.
You can view the Co-op Play and the Tension system in action below:
Dragon Quest Heroes II: Twin Kings and the Prophecy’s End is set to launch in Japan on May 27, 2016 for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 3, and PlayStation Vita. No overseas release date has yet been announced.
Credits go to Siliconera for translating the original 4Gamer article.