Bionic Commando Rearmed 2

Bionic Commando Rearmed 2 is the sequel to the platforming video game Bionic Commando Rearmed. It is being developed by FatShark and published by Capcom. It is slated for a Q1 2011 release on the PlayStation Network and Xbox Live Arcade.

Gameplay
Bionic Commando Rearmed 2 features many of the action gameplay elements from the original Rearmed. The game is played from a 2.5D perspective, with players being able to move horizontally and vertically. The protagonist is equipped with a bionic arm that can be used to grapple onto scenery, allowing the player to ascend or to swing to otherwise unreachable areas. The arm can also be used as a defensive mechanism, allowing the player to grab barrels and enemies and use them as shields, and to repel larger enemies. Challenge rooms return in Rearmed 2 but have been extended to require the use of specific weaponry and abilities in certain challenges. Cooperative gameplay also returns, with the second player controlling a character that resembles the one on the cover of the NES version of Bionic Commando. When asked as to the characters identity, 1UP.com writer Jeremy Parish was told simply that he was "definitely a character from the series." Cooperative gameplay will also be more focused on strategy rather than simply having two players in the same level together.

Rearmed 2 also features new gameplay mechanics. Some of these were first introduced in the 3D shooter Bionic Commando. These include the ability to jump and maneuver known as Death From Above in which the player slams into the ground upon landing from a fall, causing a shockwave to affect nearby enemies. Players can opt to disable the ability to jump in the game's options, and the game can be completed without the need to jump. Entirely new to the series are Components; items and attributes that can be equipped to enhance the player character. Components include a grenade launcher attachment for the bionic arm and a passive heath regeneration ability. Also new to the series will be the ability to enter scanning mode known as Bio Vision. While in this mode players can search for secrets and scan facts about enemies and locales which may help them progress through the game.

Absent from Bionic Commando Rearmed 2 are top-down levels, which in its predecessor symbolized an enemy attack while en route to a location. When the game's producer Rey Jimenez why they are being excluded, Jimenez responded “People liked them because they were in the original, but I don’t remember hearing anyone say that was their favorite part of the game. It doesn’t have the swinging, you know?” Jimenez also revealed that with Rearmed 2 level progression will be linear instead of allowing the player to pick and choose their path. Players will, however, be able to return to previous levels using newly acquired abilities and weaponry to access areas they were previously unable to.

Plot
Bionic Commando Rearmed 2 takes place a few years after Bionic Commando Rearmed and prior to 2009's Bionic Commando.

Development
Bionic Commando Rearmed 2 was revealed at Capcom's Captivate 2010 event. It is being developed using the Diesel engine, which was used on both Rearmed and 2009's Bionic Commando. The protagonist, Nathan Spencer, received a visual redesign for the sequel to tie in the years between Rearmed and the 2009 3D game. Spencer is equipped with an updated arm, has changed his hair style, and has grown a mustache.

Cooperative gameplay was once again limited to local multiplayer. Producer Ray Jimenez stated that the reason for this was that the developers "wanted to concentrate on the actual game itself rather than adding new features to it." Simon Viklund returns as the game's composer for the sequel. A contest was held from July 16, 2010 to August 11, 2010 allowing fans to remix an 8-bit Bionic Commando track for inclusion in the game. On September 14, 2010 two winners were chosen. Their remixes will be included in the soundtrack for Bionic Commando Rearmed 2.

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