Nights of Azure 2: Bride of the New Moon (PC) Review

Gust's Nights of Azure was a unique, if flawed game. The action was largely passable, the story was weak, and the sexualized characters were very awkward. With that being said, the RPG was still decent due to an overall fast pace in the package. The sequel fixes some issues, but brings its own to the table. The combat system is much faster, but the story and characters are mostly average.

Nights of Azure 2's narrative is heavily confusing, and if you read too much between the lines, there are a lot of plot holes. Its connections to the first game are often muddled, and given translation issues with names, it makes it even worse, as the main priestess girl has nearly the same name (Lilysse compared to Liliana). The main character bears the same issue, being named Aluche, and only provides confusion when the original title's Arnice shows up as an enemy. Much like the first game, the actual story could loosely be summed up as "don't let your female friend die, and go kill the boss." It is unfortunate as RPG players often play for the story, and while the first was not that good in that area, there was a lot between the lines that left some degree of intrigue to the plot.

To get this out right away, the sexual aspects of the story are entirely distracting. With certain types of games, it is to be expected, such as various Senra Kagura or Criminal Girls titles, but given that this styles itself as a more serious entry, it is not a positive aspect. Normally not an issue particularly bothersome in most games, it is very hard to take the plot seriously when the innocent priestess and her female knight have chests that are literally bouncing around as if they have brains of their own. With the exception of a loli character, every girl here is stacked out and bounce their way through every scene they are in. Even standing still and talking, breasts sway back and forth like an ocean tide, which, as stated, makes it much harder to take the plot at face value.

Like the prequel, Nights of Azure 2 revolves around yuri/lesbian relationships of the characters. It is a very strange dance because the creators have tried on some level to present it as a mature take on things, but it loses much of its seriousness in many scenes. Segments that are touching often are a little cringe-worthy, as they stand there facing each other and one can't help but wonder if they are comparing the size of the swinging coconuts attached to each other's chests.

Unlike the original, where it was simply the main character and the priestess, now there are other girls to romance, which again adds a bit of confusion to the plot. To be clear, part of the problem is the strange line they try to walk where everything is hyper-sexualized, yet it is almost portrayed in a more innocent "we are just friends" style that leads to confusion of what the gamer is supposed to feel.

The combat system is much better strictly on a technical level. The speed is a lot faster and feels much smoother. At its root, there is a strong and weak attack, and given the button press, combos do different things. Combat is fairly easy and in general there is not much threat other than sometimes being completely surrounded. A weak AI detracts from much of a challenge, but combat is fun enough that it is not too much of an issue.

There is now also a "Lily" (a girl) that comes with you, and two monsters called Servans. This is a mixed bag. The Lily system is interesting as the girls are much more involved than a single Servan was in the first game. They attack, have skills, combo with your attacks, and have special moves when a bar is charged. It adds a good layer of depth. It is much more fun having another human going into battle that is largely competent. The Servan system is worse, though. Divided into two classes, Trickers and Strikers, the former serve loosely only as a key to open certain areas, whereas the Strikers can turn into weapons the character can use.

Nights of Azure's Servan system was arguably its best part in levelling them up, forming different groups and moves, and so on. In Bride of the New Moon, they play a much weaker role. Essentially, many players will just leave the "Key" Servans on, rather than replay a level because they couldn't open a path. Gone as well is the transformation element of the first game for the main character. Progression happens mostly the same. With enough "blood," you can improve various stats to level up. Going into battle enough with specific Lilys can gain new skills.

The adventure is very linear, just as in the previous title; pick a mission, then head out to a specific dungeon. None of the areas feels particularly amazing. The time limit remains in dungeons, which can be problematic given there is a limit already to how many missions the player can take on.

The RPG elements, the Lily system, and decently-paced combat combine for a strictly average to decent game. It is really sad to see because Gust took a different approach compared to its Atelier games, and this likely will not be particularly successful. Personally, stories like this are much, much more preferred than endless clones of their main series, but this is not a knockout game to encourage them do any different.