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Heaven Dust 2: Striking Similarity to the Original

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Heaven Dust 2

8.3

CartoonDungeon CrawlerSci-fiAction RPGZombiesActionRPGHorror

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In 2020, the video game "Heaven Dust" boldly posed the inquiry, "What would happen if "Resident Evil 1" were presented with a top-down camera perspective?" The resultant offering manifested as a proficient action-adventure, notably more accessible than its muse due to the perpetual visibility of zombies. Presently, the emergence of "Heaven Dust 2" initiates a subsequent query—"What if the "Heaven Dust" narrative unfolded within a more expansive mansion?" Consequently, this sequel lacks the endearing qualities found in its forerunner. "Heaven Dust 2" unfolds in the aftermath of its predecessor, with the protagonist, Steve, awakening from the cryo pod wherein he had been confined after an abduction by corporate operatives. He discovers himself within another mansion besieged by rampant zombies. Regrettably, those anticipating a setting akin to a city immersed in a zombocalypse reminiscent of "Resident Evil 2" will likely find themselves disillusioned by the sequel's thematic choice.

Despite the map's novel configuration, the game's operational facets remain consistent with its predecessor. Steve, the protagonist, engages in combat against zombies, explores unconventional locations to discover peculiar keys, and undertakes the challenge of deciphering cryptic clues to unveil door codes. The game perpetuates the time-honored survival-horror elements revered for decades, distinguished primarily by its whimsical art style and the distinctive top-down camera perspective.

From a mechanical standpoint, one of the most noteworthy alterations is the heightened emphasis on crafting and modding in "Heaven Dust 2" compared to its precursor, "Heaven Dust 1." The game introduces four distinct weapon categories, each associated with its corresponding set of four gunpowder types for crafting. The strategic decision-making process becomes unexpectedly pivotal, as players must choose between accumulating an abundance of pistol ammunition or possessing a limited supply of magnum rounds. The diverse effectiveness of weapons against specific enemy types introduces an element of strategy in managing the arsenal, surpassing initial expectations.

Furthermore, "Heaven Dust 2" incentivizes thorough exploration, as concealed within hidden secret areas are indispensable gun modifications crucial for combating zombie hordes. The game adeptly streamlines its puzzle system, clearly delineating locked doors with signs indicating the access method. Additionally, it marks noteworthy items presently inaccessible, prompting players to revisit these locations upon acquiring new keys or ladders. The meticulous attention to detail in these aspects contributes to the game's overall coherence and enhances the player's immersive experience.

Regrettably, the implementation of this feature is markedly inconsistent. Although it adeptly identifies the locations of peculiar emblems, it needs to designate the appropriate areas where they are intended for use, thereby necessitating frequent instances of retracing one's steps. Nonetheless, a commendable decision was made to ensure that a keypad code is never concealed beyond a short distance from the corresponding keypad it is meant to unlock. Evidently, the developers displayed sensitivity to the frustrating aspects of specific segments in the initial "Heaven Dust" installment, effectively addressing some of these concerns. However, the conspicuous shortcomings lie in the unresolved backtracking and item management issues.

The protagonist, Steve, embarks on the game with a modest inventory that can be expanded through the acquisition of 'side packs' encountered during the campaign—an element borrowed directly from "Resident Evil 2." Notably, every key or type of ammunition occupies valuable space within the inventory, compelling a continuous need to access the game's storage boxes. These storage boxes, following tradition, permit players to retrieve items from any other storage trunk. Consequently, backtracking becomes an unavoidable facet of the gaming experience.

To mitigate this, developers strategically placed storage boxes throughout the game's environment to an almost extravagant extent. Virtually every area necessitating a specific key or item features an item box nearby, often within the same room. While undeniably convenient, this approach prompts the question of why the developers refrained from adopting a common practice observed in numerous other games—allowing essential items to exist independently of inventory space constraints.

The developers came remarkably close to streamlining the gaming experience yet resorted to peculiar half-measures. The persistent issues of backtracking and inventory management remain prominent, detracting from the potential seamlessness of the gameplay.

The game's combat system is, on the whole, quite gratifying. Players manipulate the thumbstick to target an adversary upon engaging in aim mode by holding down a designated button. Subsequently, they are presented with the option to either discharge their firearm or await the targeting mechanism to align with the foe's vulnerable point. Notably, players retain the freedom to move throughout this process, fostering a sense of enhanced liberation and modernity compared to the more conventional combat in classic survival horror games.

A distinctive feature of the combat dynamics involves zombies possessing varied protective layers, including bone, wood, and flesh growth. Effectively navigating the combat landscape necessitates swift identification of the specific protective attributes exhibited by the zombies in a given area, followed by the adept deployment of the corresponding tool. This element contributes significantly to the overall flow of combat, underscoring the game's strategic depth.

Regrettably, the efficacy of the game's boss encounters falls short of the excellence seen in regular battles. Most formidable adversaries display an unusual degree of agility within the genre, traversing stages with remarkable skill and maintaining relentless pressure on the player. The protagonist, Steve, lacks a dedicated dodge or block mechanism, compelling him to rely predominantly on full-speed sprinting to evade attacks until the boss momentarily tires. This approach is followed by a brief window for Steve to exploit the boss's vulnerable point before the cycle recommences. Notably, the one commendable boss encounter—a colossal monstrosity—exemplifies a more nuanced comprehension of the game's ideal combat dynamics. This boss distinguishes itself through potent, deliberate, and well-telegraphed attacks, allowing players to discern and adapt to distinct attack patterns. This starkly contrasts the less satisfying strategy of evading attacks in a circular manner and waiting for the opportune moment when the enemy becomes vulnerable.

In a broader critique, the game's principal drawback lies in its striking similarity to its predecessor. While undoubtedly an improvement, it offers an analogous gaming experience, presenting a potential challenge. While recommending it over the first installment to those uninitiated with either iteration, it remains uncertain whether the game introduces sufficiently novel elements to warrant the attention of players well-acquainted with the original "Heaven Dust." While the sequel successfully pays homage to the early era of survival horror, its appeal seems confined to this nostalgic tribute, rendering it nonessential for a broader audience seeking innovation.