‘Leynos 2’ was and is a mecha gaming basic.
One of many lesser identified Sega Saturn classics is Assault Suit Leynos 2, and this new and totally translated model is a wonderful tribute to that.
Launched in 1997, Leynos 2 is technically a follow-on to the unique Leynos on Mega Drive. Extra thematically than the rest, because the story is considerably disconnected. Nonetheless, in comparison with the primary Leynos, the sequel is functionally much more concerned.
In that, for Leynos 2, there’s fairly much more customization within the back-end, with completely different armor, weapons, and different gadgets that can assist you develop into progressively extra highly effective.
The missions are additionally extra open-ended by way of the areas and fewer scripted and deliberate out like in different shmups.
Leynos 2 can be like the primary Leynos, which is a tough sport. Not a lot by way of the controls, though these are a bit extra concerned, however simply in what the sport throws at you.
For example, on the primary stage alone, the primary boss will probably trample you and blow you to items in the event you aren’t totally ready.
When you can defend enemy hearth, the defend may be destroyed. Furthermore, the power to make use of the defend to manage your dashing, as per Assault Suits Valken, is just not current both.
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‘Leynos 2’ additionally has an enviornment mission comparable in tone to ‘VOTOMS’.
Speaking of Valken, it’s value me being upfront right here: I labored on the latest Change launch, Valken Declassified. Nonetheless, I used to be not concerned on this launch.
Mentioning Valken is noteworthy, although, as Leynos is a distinct sport in some ways regardless of being in the identical Assault Swimsuit sequence.
Valken had extra deliberate pacing and stage design, with finite weapons and no actual customization. You additionally had extra management over your motion and aiming.
Leynos 2 is way extra computerized by way of focusing on, and the sprint and defend should be managed otherwise, too. To not point out, you could have a number of mecha to select from as you progress.
The large side of all this, although, is that till now, Leynos 2 was a Japan-only launch. This Saturn Tribute model is the primary time the sport has been out there in English.
That’s not a trivial factor, as there’s a variety of textual content that needed to be translated, and, so far as I can see, the localization has been dealt with very effectively.
Aside from that, this Saturn Tribute model doesn’t provide a lot else by way of further content material. You get just a few display screen choices and a gameplay rewind setup, however that is actually simply Leynos 2 translated into English and never overly messed round with.
Among the later missions see you find yourself in house.
That is in no way a criticism. For a lot of, Leynos 2 was usually considered an neglected mecha sport gem on the Sega Saturn. In addition to being surprisingly influential for later video games, corresponding to Bangai-O.
The latter is one thing I wrote about at size again in 2008 for the now Game Set Watch site after which later backed up alone Mecha Damashii site.
Particularly, the mecha in Leynos 2 are surprisingly potent, so the emphasis is on the weapons and what they do and fewer so on the comparatively small mecha sprite itself.
In Leynos 2, relying on the weapon used, the digital camera strikes out and in that can assist you goal your enemies. This was one thing that Bangai-O employed, and it was attention-grabbing to see how mecha performance affected 2D sport design, particularly in a shmup framework.
So to have Leynos 2 extensively out there like this and totally translated is nice as a result of now, not less than, individuals can see what I used to be attempting to clarify over fifteen years in the past.
All that apart, Leynos 2 is an excellent mecha sport and shmup. It had to determine all method of issues by how the mecha transfer and use its varied weapons. The efficiency of the mecha and the extra open-ended ranges additionally meant that the digital camera wanted to adapt as effectively.
So, whereas there are positively ties again to different video games within the Assault Swimsuit sequence, particularly the primary Leynos and fewer so with Valken, Leynos 2 is its personal and fairly particular beast.
Total, this Saturn Tribute model of Assault Swimsuit Leynos 2 is a mecha gaming basic by means of and thru. Not solely is the sport influential throughout different shmups and mecha video games, but additionally a extremely well-wrought sport in its personal proper. It’s positively tough and technical, however like most good outdated mecha video games, that’s virtually at all times an indication of excellence.
Assault Suits Leynos 2 Saturn Tribute
Platform: Nintendo Change (Reviewed), PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC
Developer: Metropolis Connection
Writer: Clear River Video games
Launched: twenty first March 2025
Worth: $24.99
Rating: 9/10
Disclosure: Clear River Video games despatched me a duplicate of this sport for the needs of this evaluate. Whereas I used to be concerned within the launch of Assault Fits Valken Declassified, I had no involvement in any respect within the Saturn Tribute for Leynos 2.
Observe me on X, Facebook and YouTube. I additionally handle Mecha Damashii and am at the moment featured within the Giant Robots exhibition at the moment touring Japan.
