So, what's the deal with Exile 2?

[pixeljunkie]

I bought this on release when I was in high school. My memory is foggy but I am 90% sure I finished the game back then. But after reading the article on HG101, I doubt it. [I've drank since then, hence the fog] I recently played through the original Exile and had an amazing time. So, naturally I decided to keep the ball rolling and dive right into E2.

What I was greeted with was an immensely difficult, frustrating game that honestly felt like a step backwards. What gives?!

No maps, you have to track through the sidescroll levels to travel between cities. [if it ain't broke?], also noticed that it seems 1 in 3 healing tonics actually poison me. "that tonic tasted funny"

More than one [so far] of Working Designs topical jokes thrown in for no damn reason.

WHAT HAPPENED?!

Is the Japanese version easier? Did WD actually mess with the game code and change up the game? Is there a story behind this game's localization?

update: I read the HG101 article on this game I just found that answers all:

http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/exile/exile4.htm

[bob]

it's certainly "winnable" but frustrating.  You end up getting fully powered up about half way through, IIRC, then the game just spikes in difficulty.  You can certainly see and feel the loss of focus in the project.

[Black Tiger]

Both versions are broke. Unfortunate, as I love the first game.

[jperryss]

Both versions suffer from most of the issues you mention. Another one is the scrolling; The screen scrolls only when you're 2/3 of the way across the screen, so as a result you can't see very far in front of you and it's easy to get hit by an enemy you barely had time to react to.

I think I read on here that leveling up to the highest level doesn't provide a boost in stats over the 2nd highest level (I think that's on both versions).  Both versions also have massive save files and will take up nearly all of your save space.

I think the healing tonics will poison you if you take one while you have full health. Might be wrong about that, though.

The US version is more broken with imbalanced difficulty and many enemies requiring a stupid amount of hits to take out.

[pixeljunkie]

Both versions are broke. Unfortunate, as I love the first game.

after reading up, I think I will pick up the Jpn version just for closure.

Yeah, the first one was just so good.

[jperryss]

Both versions are broke. Unfortunate, as I love the first game.

after reading up, I think I will pick up the Jpn version just for closure.

Yeah, the first one was just so good.

Good call as the JPN version is dirt cheap. You'll miss some dialogue though.

[gbapalyer]

japanese version is soooooooooo easy and short.

[Xak]

Are you supposed to lose to that last boss thing? with the Knight? Then defeat it with Saddler?I was sooo close to beating this game, yet so far.

[ParanoiaDragon]

Are you supposed to lose to that last boss thing? with the Knight? Then defeat it with Saddler?I was sooo close to beating this game, yet so far.

Maybe.  I beat it years ago, but that sounds familiar.