Shouta
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Release Date: 11/29/12 (Japan)
Developer: Banpresto
Publisher: Namco Bandai Games
Official Site: 第2次スーパーロボット大戦OG
Review scores:
Famitsu (Translated) - Dai-2-Ji Super Robot Taisen Original Generations (PS3) - 9/8/9/9
What is Super Robot Wars?
Super Robot Wars, or SRW, is the long-running and famous game series developed by Banpresto. It brings together gaggles of giant robots in a massive campaign involving multitudes of storylines and strategy gameplay. It typically involves characters and mecha from licensed series like Gundam or Macross, or Mazinger. Among those are an original character with an original mech and accompanying storyline for each game.
So, what’s OG?
OG stands for Original Generation. These games combine the protagonists of all the SRW games the series has had in its long history (over 20 years!) into its own series. There are no characters from licensed anime or manga. It’s all stuff that is original, hence the title.
So what's new about this game?
This is the first SRW game to be released on HD consoles meaning that the series now benefits from the increased power and resolution of the PS3. It means improved graphics with all new HD sprites and effects, major advances in cut-in animation, high quality music, and of course updated gameplay. Check out the HD trailers in the media section!
Is this the 2nd game in the OG series?
Technically, this is the 4th game in the series. OG1 and OG2 were released on the GBA in 2002 and 2005 (in Japan). Those two games were later combined and remade on the PS2 into Original Generations. After that game came Original Generations Gaiden which is a side story game that although isn’t “relevant” to the main plot, is still a part of the series. Then there is this game. It’s a sequel to the PS2 version, which is considered one game, hence why this is called “The 2nd Super Robot Wars OGs”
What SRW game does this cover?
It covers several games. The biggest chunks will be SRW Alpha 2 and SRW EX (or The Lord of Elemental/Masou Kishin). Those two will likely form a large back bone to the story. SRW MX, SRW D, Real Robot Regiment, and the Lost Children manga (or at least a character) will also be covered. More story for SRW Alpha 3 protagonist Touma Kanou will also be in the game. Additionally, much of the cast from the first OGs and Gaiden are back as well including the SRW R, SRW A, and Compatible Kaiser protagonists are in.
There are supposedly some surprises still as well!
Are there English subtitles or text?
Probably not. Most Japanese games don’t and the one exception (Persona 4 Arena) got region-locked.
So, will there be a localization?
Tough question, but I doubt it. SRW isn’t popular enough in America to make it worth the investment and the last PS2 OGs game got passed up. If it does make it here, YOU SHOULD BUY IT. If it doesn’t, time to learn Japanese.
Twin Battle System
Not a new system but it’s been changed a bit compared to OGs. You can set the units during the intermission now instead of pairing them on the field and there is no morale requirement. You may also form units on the field if you need to.
When you attack paired up enemies in Twin mode, you can either have your units each fight one of the enemies or focus your attack on unit. You may also have one of your units (typically the “lead” of the pair) do attack both of the enemies with an All-Hitting attack.
Maximum Break
This is a new attack limited to certain pilots. When the conditions are met, this allows a unit, with the support of 3 other units , to attack the enemy in one long sequence before they’re able to counterattack. It starts with an All-Out assault using the 4 units’ support weapons then moves into individual attacks for the leader’s pair then the support pairs for a grand total of 5 attacks.
Combination Attacks
Not a new system, as it was in the GBA version but it wasn’t available in the PS2 remake. This allows a unit with the correct skill and a proper weapon to hit multiple enemies that are adjacent to each other. You suffer a penalty in damage for every enemy after the first but the Energy or Ammo requirements are the same as attacking one enemy. This provides a viable method of fighting multiple enemies when you aren’t using MAP attacks. Unlike other iterations, as long as the enemies are in adjacent squares, you can attack them as opposed to requiring the enemies to be in a straight line.
Ability Slots
New to this game, each character and unit is given 3 slots to equip abilities to. When you equip 3 plates of the same type, it activates that ability and provides bonuses to that unit. This slot system works in with the Twin System allowing you a maximum of 12 slots. You can even swap units mid-battle to activate different skills. However, only the first activation counts. You cannot equip 6 of the same plate to get double the effect. These bonuses include attack power, defense, attack range, a variety of others.
Others
Weapon Select, Weapon Upgrades, Pilot Skills, Team-Up Attacks, and Unit Loadouts are back though there are a few changes.
Weapon upgrades are different now in that it is a mix of OGs and a series like Alpha or MX. Individual weapons that you equip have their own upgrade while all of a unit’s unique weapons are linked and only require one upgrade.
It’s been awhile but unlike the PS2 OGs, Hard mode also increases the number of enemies or makes some enemies twin units where they would be non-existent or single units on Normal.
There are so many characters and robots in this game that it’d be hard to list them all and summarize it. However, there are some new characters and several key characters that you should know about for this game as they’ll be a big part of the story.
Joshua Radcliffe
From: Super Robot Wars D
Mecha: Aile Chevalier
Josh is the protagonist of SRW D. His father, Felio Radcliffe, is a scientist and archaeologist studying a mysterious ruins found at the South Pole. From the technology found there, his father builds the Aile Chevalier and asks Josh to be the test pilot despite not being affiliated with the military. He has a sister-in-law named Cliana Rimskaya.
Cliana Rimskaya
From: Super Robot Wars D
Mecha: Blanche Neige
Cliana is Josh’s sister-in-law. She also went to the South Pole to aid in researching the technology found there. However, as a result of Felio’s experiements on her in order to replicate a certain system, it shatters her psyche and creates two separate personalities, Chris and Riana. These two personalities are actually aware of each other and can speak to one another. When piloting the Blanche Neige, Riana handles most of the work.
Ariel Org
From: Real Robot Regiment
Mecha: Flickerei Geist
A woman with a calculating, logical approach and a body tougher than any normal person, Ariel made her first appearance in the PS2 game, Real Robot Regiment. Her robot is the Flickerei Geist is a test model that was considered a failure and scrapped. It now uses parts from other robots which is why it looks like such an odd robot. It has the Revolving Stake and the linked Arm-mounted machineguns similar to the Alt Eisen, or it may even be its old parts.
Ing
From: Lost Children
Mecha: Ashe
A quiet boy of few words, he escaped from Aidoneus Island. The area had been sealed off as a result of all the events that occurred around it. He has a sharp, almost unnatural affinity for combat in mecha. He has psychodriver abilities but aside from that, his past and who he is is wrapped in mystery. He pilots an Exbein codenamed, Ashe. The unit was meant to be the test-bed for a new robot in the Huckebein series but it was seriously damaged. Supplement parts were added to what was left and this unit was born. It has a T-Link system and because of a abnormal response to Ing, he is the only person that is able to pilot it now.
Hugo Medio
From: Super Robot Wars MX
Mecha: Cerberus, Garmraid
Hugo is one of the protagonists of MX where is the test pilot for the Tsentr Project’s Terminus Engine equipped-mecha. He was once a member of the Cry Wolves, a special elite unit within the military who made an appearance in OG Gaiden. He can be quick to get emotionally charged but he is typically a man of few words. The initial unit they use is the Cerberus, the “real” robot choice from MX. However, the “Super” robot version, Garmraid, is also available in the game.
Aqua Kentholm
From: Super Robot Wars MX
Mecha: Cerberus, Garmraid
A Federation pilot, she is Hugo’s partner. She rides in the Cerberus, managing its systems and Terminus Energy Engine while Hugo pilots it. To aid in this, she wears the DFC suit which looks like swimwear. It gathers data and helps to manage the systems of the unit. She’s quite a cheerful person but can be a bit of scatterbrain at times.
Ibis Douglas
From: Super Robot Wars Alpha 2
Mecha: Altairion
Ibis is a test Pilot for Project TD, a program to create a space exploration unit. She dreamed of traveling stars and is what fueled her to undergo the intense training required to pilot the mecha. She appears in OG2 and OG Gaiden. The primary focus in those two games were to show her time in the program and the events that lead up to her primary story in Alpha 2.
Cast of Masou Kishin (Lords of Elementals)
These characters are taking center stage but there are too many to individually list. These robots are from La Gias, a world deep within the Earth and developed independently from the surface. These units are imbued with the power of elemental spirits and fueled by a substance called Prana. Many people from the surface produce this energy in large amounts and many were summoned to La Gias to pilot these machines. The main character is Masaki Andoh and the Cybuster, a mainstay of the SRW series. Lune Zoldark also plays a major role. Amongst the cast new to this series to watch for, are the other 3 Elemental Lords: Goddess piloted by Tytti Noorbuck, Granveil piloted by Huang Yanlong, and Zamzeed piloted by Mio Sasuga.
Promotional Videos - Set to high quality, lower the res if you're starving for bandwidth.
Dai 2-ji Super Robot Taisen OGs 1st PV
Dai 2-ji Super Robot Taisen OGs 2nd PV
Dai 2-ji Super Robot Taisen OGs 3rd PV
Dai 2-ji Super Robot Taisen OGs 4th PV
Dai 2-ji Super Robot Taisen OGs - Episode 1 Digest
Misc
SRW: The Inspector OP "Maxon"
SRW: The Inspector OP2 "Shooting Star Lovers"
SRW: The Inspector ED1 "Bokura no Jiyuu"
SRW: The Inspector ED1.5 " Bokura no Jiyuu"
SRW: The Inspector ED2.1 "Saigo no Tabi"
SRW: Divine Wars OP2 "Rising Force"
SRW: Divine Wars ED2 "Mou Ai Shika Iranai"
Courtesy of an anonymous Accguy troll:
Akurasu’s SRW Wiki – Great resource that’ll be updated with some translated game after it’s released.
The Gate of Magus - A database of all the original characters and mecha in SRW. Information is a bit lacking but it’s the oldest and doesn’t spoil much or at all.
The Super Robot Wars Wiki – More in-depth wiki with information about the various titles and characters.
SRW Community Thread - For all your regular mecha needs.
The 2nd Super Robot War OGs - Guide Wiki - Info on the game will be placed here by the Japanese users.
