Evolution 2: Far Off Promise

Another Average RPG

I reviewed Evolution: The World Sacred Device is a charming but average RPG. The sequel, Evolution 2: Far Off Promise, can described in exacty the same light. It's got pretty much the same set of characters with only a few additions. The story is different and, frankly, less interesting. The combat is almost identical. The only difference is that the enemy grid now has a fourth column. So, it's 4x3 instead of 3x3. The biggest change is that the dungeons themselves are no longer randomly generated. All except the practice tower contain fixed floor plans. That's it.

Less Personality

There is really not much to talk about. Only the story and setting is different. It takes place after the events of the first. Mag is traveling with the same friends from before. The addition of the pirate adds a little bit of extra charm as he turns over a new leaf once you face and defeat him in his hide out and becomes a selectable party member. The new main bad guy Yurka has even less personality than the military general. He's just a member of the same race as Linear and even bids her to join him in order to destroy the world. That's basically it. Like I said, even less personality.

A Major Change

The one major improvement that Evolution 2 has over the first one is that it's much less of a slog to get through. Each dungeon is shorter and more concise. It's still the same set of corridors, but maybe only half the levels. The enemies are a bit more varied, too. As a result, you don't feel sick of the dungeon by the end. Maybe it's just me, but it's also much easier. Not that the first one was difficult or anything. But I made it throgh Evolution 2 without ever feeling in danger.

Conclusion

Much like the first one, I have no desire to play through this game ever again. For whatever reason, I decided 2025 to be the year I made a stab at turn-based RPGs. I tried Super Mario RPG, Evolution 1 and 2, and Expedition 33. My favorite among these is Expedition 33 and even then, I have no desire to playthrough it again. I'll make another attempt at turn-based RPGs in the future. Maybe I'll try Grandia, Final Fantasy, and perhaps Skies of Arcadia at some point.