Attack on Titan 2

Presentation

Attack on Titan 2, also known as A.O.T. 2, is an action fighting game developed by Omega Force and published by Koei Tecmo Games. A direct sequel to Attack on Titan: Wings of Freedom, it adapts the universe of Hajime Isayama's Attack on Titan manga and its anime adaptation. The game brings back battles against gigantic Titans while expanding three-dimensional movement, enemy behavior and interactions with fellow soldiers. Unlike the studio's traditional musou games, in which fighters face entire armies, this adaptation revolves around aerial mobility, targeting weak points and squad coordination.

The main campaign revisits the events of the first two seasons of the anime, but introduces a significant difference from the original game: players control a fully customizable original soldier. The character creator allows players to define their appearance, body shape, hairstyle, clothing and voice. This character joins the military and takes part in events alongside Eren Yeager, Mikasa Ackerman, Armin Arlert, Levi Ackerman and the other members of the Scout Regiment. The story follows the series' major battles from this new perspective while incorporating original sequences. Several iconic characters also become playable in additional game modes.

Combat builds upon an improved version of Omni-Directional Mobility Gear. Players use grappling hooks and gas-powered propulsion to move rapidly between buildings, trees and Titans, with greater control over trajectories and attack positioning. As in the first installment, the nape of the neck remains the creatures' primary weak point, while severing their arms or legs restricts their movements. Battles require players to manage approach speed, attack precision, gas reserves and blade durability. Titans display more varied behavior and can become particularly aggressive when they detect the player's presence.

Several mechanics expand the combat system. Sneak Attacks allow players to observe a Titan from a distance, target a specific body part and unleash a powerful strike before being detected. Hook Drive rewards last-second dodges with a rapid counterattack. Buddy Actions allow players to call upon squad members' abilities to perform coordinated attacks or receive specific assistance. Players can also establish different bases across the battlefield, providing supplies, troop support or access to cannons. These facilities complement missions involving position defense, ally rescues and the elimination of priority Titan targets.

Between operations, the game introduces a more developed daily life system within military headquarters. The custom character can speak with the series' protagonists, give them gifts, participate in activities and develop relationships with them. Improving friendship bonds unlocks conversations, secondary events, skills and new cooperative possibilities. Rest periods also provide opportunities to train, craft equipment and prepare for upcoming missions. A Titan Research Room allows players to study creatures captured during battles, while regiment administration provides access to improvements and decisions affecting certain activities.

Progression revolves around earned experience, soldier skills and materials collected during missions. Blades, scabbards, gas reserves and mobility devices can be upgraded to increase attack power, equipment durability and movement performance. Scout missions allow players to gather additional resources and strengthen relationships with selected companions. After completing the campaign, Inferno Mode offers battles against more dangerous Titans, while Another Mode allows players to participate in missions using iconic characters from the anime.

Attack on Titan 2 also expands online multiplayer features. Players can cooperate during certain story missions and scouting operations, or compete indirectly through competitive modes. Annihilation Mode pits two teams of four soldiers against each other, tasking them with eliminating Titans and accumulating points before time runs out. Other activities, including Predator Mode, allow players to control a Titan and participate in challenges involving destruction and hunting humans. With its new combat systems, customizable protagonist and interactions between soldiers, this sequel develops both the military dimension and the characters' daily lives within the Attack on Titan universe.

Key points

• A sequel to the first Attack on Titan game, revisiting the events of the anime's first two seasons through a story-driven campaign.
• A customizable original character, allowing players to join the Scout Regiment and experience the story alongside Eren and his companions.
• Improved Omni-Directional Mobility Gear, offering greater mobility and precision during aerial movement.
• Battles against Titans based on targeting limbs and the nape of the neck, managing gas supplies and monitoring blade durability.
• New mechanics, including Sneak Attacks, Hook Drive and Buddy Actions, expanding combat possibilities.
• Friendship relationships with characters, unlocking conversations, secondary events and skills.
• A soldier progression and regiment development system, featuring training, equipment upgrades, military bases and Titan research.
• Several additional modes, including Another Mode, Inferno Mode and multiplayer activities, with online cooperation and competitive battles.

Conclusion

Attack on Titan 2 expands upon the foundations of the first installment by developing three-dimensional movement and battles against Titans. The introduction of a customizable character allows players to revisit the events of the first two seasons from a different perspective, while new enemy behaviors, stealth attacks and coordinated actions enrich military operations.

Daily life, character relationships and regiment progression play a more significant role in this sequel. Scout missions, additional modes and multiplayer features also extend activities beyond the main campaign. Attack on Titan 2 therefore combines aerial combat, customization, cooperation and the development of bonds between soldiers, in an adaptation that expands the mechanics of the original game.

Good to know

Attack on Titan 2 was originally released on March 15, 2018, in Japan. It was developed by Omega Force, published by Koei Tecmo Games and uses the Katana Engine. The game is available on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch and PC, as well as PlayStation Vita in Japan. A PlayStation 3 version was also released in certain Asian markets. The Western release took place on March 20, 2018.

The game revisits the events of the first two seasons of the Attack on Titan anime, whereas its predecessor primarily focused on the first season. The campaign follows the perspective of a soldier created by the player, who accompanies the main characters. It also includes original sequences and events supervised by Hajime Isayama, the manga's creator.

The character creator allows players to modify numerous aspects of the protagonist's appearance, including body shape, face, hairstyle, clothing and voice. Interactions with characters from the series form an important mechanic: relationships can develop through conversations, gifts and missions completed together. They provide access to additional skills and narrative events.

The roster features 37 playable characters from the anime, alongside the customizable protagonist. Among them are Eren Yeager, Mikasa Ackerman, Armin Arlert, Levi Ackerman, Hange Zoë, Erwin Smith, Jean Kirstein, Sasha Braus, Reiner Braun, Annie Leonhart, Ymir and Historia Reiss. Iconic fighters can be selected in Another Mode, while the main campaign remains centered on the player-created character.

New combat mechanics include Hook Drive, which allows players to follow a precisely timed dodge with a counterattack, and Sneak Attacks, designed to surprise a Titan before it detects the soldier. The creatures possess a detection gauge and can enter a particularly aggressive state when players remain in their field of vision for too long. Capture devices also allow certain Titans to be immobilized and sent for research.

Daily life activities include training, conversations, equipment development, scout missions and regiment administration. Players can construct or upgrade different types of military bases, notably for resupplying, collecting materials and supporting fighters. The research room allows captured Titans to be examined and expands the available knowledge of their characteristics.

Another Mode allows players to replay missions using unlocked characters from the series. Inferno Mode, available after completing the campaign, features battles against more resilient and aggressive Titans. Online features include cooperative missions and Annihilation Mode, which pits two teams of four participants against each other. Several free updates also introduced competitive challenges, including Predator, Expulsion and Showdown modes.

A major expansion, titled Attack on Titan 2: Final Battle, was released on July 5, 2019, for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch and PC. It notably adds events from the anime's third season, new characters, additional weapons such as Thunder Spears, and a Territory Recovery Mode. This content belongs to the Final Battle expansion and is not part of the original 2018 release. An upgrade pack allows players to add it to the base game.

Attack on Titan 2 retains the Japanese voice acting from the anime, accompanied by text and subtitles in several languages, including English, French, German, Italian and Spanish. Campaign missions can be played solo, while cooperative and competitive features require an Internet connection and compatible network services.