ClaDun x2 Review

NIS America is back with Nippon Ichi and System Prism's ClaDun x2, the sequel to 2010's dungeon RPG ClaDun: This Is An RPG, a gem of a PSP title. Fans of the original can expect a treat of nostalgia, in more ways than one, on top of some fascinating new additions and improvements made to the game's core mechanics. The world of Arcanus Cella is certainly full of adventure and it definitely won't be letting anyone go any time soon.

ClaDun x2 returns to Arcanus Cella, a mysterious world that literally kidnaps and traps unsuspecting individuals such as yourself within its confines. There's no way out, not even through that big magical door that spat you out into Arcanus Cella in the first place. The one and only exit leads to many dungeons filled with hostile monsters and plenty of loot.

The premise is likely the lowest point of the entire game. There really isn't one. Players start out by creating their character and at this point only their names, hair-type, hair and skin colour can be customized. Following that, players are thrown into the world of Arcanus Cella where they discover they can never, ever leave the place. It's a bit of a downer, especially if you had a loved one back home, but nevertheless you push past this bit of depressing news and encounter more adventure and comedy than you can fart at.



Arcanus Cella has changed since the first game. On top of that, there's new management. An eccentric cape-clad individual is now in charge of daily management and he has high hopes for you - for providing him with entertainment, that is. Dialogue and events are rather humorous, despite much of them not making any sense of having anything to do with the story in the first place. But that's what makes ClaDun so charming and it certainly doesn't lack in that regard.

Right from the outset, players are introduced to two things: the battle system and character creation and customization. Combat is really quite self-explanatory. Movement is mapped to either the D-pad or the analog nub and can be changed according to your preferences in the options menu. Players can jump, slide, attack, block and use a skill if there's enough SP whenever in dungeons. There are a multitude of weapons to choose from as well, although you won't get access to them until you past the Trial Island - which, by the way, is a great dungeon to experiment if you aren't familiar with how the game works.