A number of months again, Hamster and SNK launched Stakes Winner within the ACA NEOGEO cellular line. As I’m wont to, I reviewed it and located it to be a very pleasurable and distinctive recreation that match the wants of cellular gaming fairly nicely. Nicely, now we’ve Stakes Winner 2 ($3.99). What are the variations? Is it higher? Worse? Will it pull forward by a nostril, or is it simply one other outdated nag? I’m making an attempt to write down like an outdated GamePro author. Do you prefer it? In all probability not. Look, I’ve achieved so many of those video games, it’s getting exhausting to write down an introduction paragraph. The principle factor is that we’ve received the follow-up to a recreation that shocked me in a nice manner, and it’s time to see if this one can do the identical.
Stakes Winner 2 was a comparatively swift sequel, as this stuff go. The primary recreation was a direct hit in Japan when it hit in late 1995, and SNK wasn’t going to relaxation on its laurels. Developer Saurus was tapped to make one other recreation within the sequence, and it wouldn’t be the final time it must tackle this process. It will, nevertheless, be the final time Saurus would accomplish that on the NEOGEO {hardware}. Given the short growth cycle of only one yr, you’ll be able to in all probability think about that the sport doesn’t precisely reinvent the wheel. In a whole lot of methods, it feels similar to the primary recreation. Not essentially a nasty factor, however one thing to bear in mind.
Meaning the racing motion goes to be acquainted if you happen to adopted my recommendation and performed the primary recreation. You’ll must handle your stamina as you make your manner round every monitor. seize helpful objects, and check out to not run into any of the opposite horses whereas doing so. There’s a brand new Burst transfer you need to use as soon as per race within the ultimate dash and it may be the distinction between victory and defeat. Every horse now has a stat for this potential, so that you’ll need to contemplate that when selecting between the now dozen-strong roster. Jockeys now have some particular strikes of their very own, busted out with combating game-style instructions, and this provides one more layer of technique to every race. The races are quicker and much more enjoyable than earlier than, and whereas I’ll as soon as once more bang my drum that this recreation is super-fun with one other participant, it’s adequate to get pleasure from even if you happen to’re using solo.
These new jockey strikes come courtesy of the Jockey Coaching choice between races, a brand new function added to the sport. Pay an enormous chunk of cash, get a slick transfer. It’s also possible to choose these strikes up if you happen to handle to beat a Rival after they problem you. As earlier than, you may as well practice your horse in a minigame between races to get some everlasting upgrades to their stats, a vital a part of conserving tempo with the pack as you go deeper and deeper into the profession mode. You’ll additionally discover one more new addition between races within the type of a particular store. You’ll be able to spend your hard-earned cash right here to purchase objects you need to use within the subsequent race. So right here once more we see the essential basis of the primary recreation left intact however with new issues constructed on so as to add some complexity and technique to the proceedings.
Another cool factor is that you would be able to now select between two… what are they known as? Derbies? Nicely, you’ll be able to choose between Europe or America this time, which implies you’ve received two utterly completely different modes to clear in story mode, every with their very own tracks. Provided that you’ll probably be enjoying this cellular model of the sport in single-player, that type of additional content material is extraordinarily significant. All the brand new methods to spend cash add one other consideration to your gameplay selections, as a result of your ultimate winnings is your rating. In the event you spent extra alongside the best way, your rating will probably be decrease. To push your rating greater, it’s important to rely much less on the assorted helpers the sport provides. On this ACA NEOGEO model, it’s much more necessary because you’ll be posting that rating to the leaderboards to compete with different gamers.
Look, I’ll put on it proudly: I really like Stakes Winner and I really like its sequel much more. I didn’t assume I’d, however after giving them a good shake I believe these are a few of my favourite non-fighters on the NEOGEO. The second recreation is without doubt one of the deeper single-player experiences accessible on the platform, so far as I’m involved. I do know this type of recreation is odd for Western tastes, however if you happen to’re affected person with it and take it by itself phrases, I believe you’ll adore it too. As a recreation, Stakes Winner 2 is great.
How is it as a cellular expertise, although? Nicely, as talked about you aren’t going to get to play the enjoyable multiplayer mode except you have got exterior controllers and a want to huddle round your cellular machine. I believe it’s fantastic at the same time as a single-player expertise, so it could possibly survive that loss. As for the controls, I do must admit that pulling off the particular strikes is a bit trickier than I’d like on the digital stick. It’s a bit higher to play on an exterior controller in case you have one, however I’d say it’s nonetheless principally positive on contact controls. Simply bear in mind it is a extra advanced recreation than the primary one and meaning the controls have extra to take care of.
The additional ACA NEOGEO modes are right here, and the Rating Assault mode is a superb problem. The Caravan mode doesn’t do a lot for me on this recreation, however you’ll be able to’t win all of them. The same old choices can be found, so you’ll be able to tweak recreation settings, controls, and so forth as you want. Hamster’s emulation is as on-point as ever, so the sport seems, sounds, and performs simply the best way it ought to. I’d love to do my normal complain about not having web or wi-fi multiplayer, however I acknowledge that a few of these video games are so area of interest that I must be joyful we’re getting them in any respect.
In the event you appreciated Stakes Winner, you’ll love Stakes Winner 2. Whereas the core of the sport stays the identical and the general presentation hasn’t modified a fantastic deal, the additions to the single-player mode considerably improve the general expertise. It’s a zippier recreation, a extra strategic recreation, and only a higher expertise on the entire. There aren’t many video games like this on the market, particularly in English, and I believe those that are prepared to take the gamble on one thing uncommon will discover themselves rewarded for his or her braveness.
