This time around, however, player 2 takes the role of more of an accessory.
They took damage, grabbed upgrades, and rationed their super-powers just like player 1. Formerly, player 2 was restricted to working as Rocky and was placed on an even playing field. This marks the game’s most substantial deviation form the previous title. This time around, she’s assisted by more than just the other titular character, Rocky, but also a growing cast of side characters including a ninja, a mole, and a scarecrow. Series’ hero and Shinto shrine maiden, Pocky, jumps into action. Princess Luna, the moon princess, has been captured by the evil Dynagon, who is attempting to force her to marry him. Names have been changed to appeal better to a western audience, but the story is largely the same. Once again, Pocky & Rocky 2 is an extremely Japanese game that draws on the culture’s sounds, folklore, and imagery. There are still some pretty solid boss battles here. What’s offered is a bit of a mix, and the game’s value will shift greatly based on player preferences.
Again developed by Natsume (though a mostly different team), the sequel actually makes a lot of substantial changes to Pocky & Rocky’s run-and-gun formula. Pocky & Rocky 2 was released roughly two years after the first. That’s when I learned there was a sequel that I completely missed out on.
It stuck in my mind for years until I was old enough to drive and buy insurance, so I looked it up to reconnect with it. I probably would have been 6 or 7 during the time I rented it and played it with my mom. IGN ranked the game 73rd on its "Top 100 SNES Games of All Time.Pocky & Rocky and I go way back. VideoGames selected as a runner-up for the Best Adventure Game award. Out of 5, the review rated it 4.5 for graphics, 3.5 for sound, 4.5 for control and 5.0 for fun factor. They particularly noted that "even the tiniest animals and items display precise detail". GamePro likewise praised the additional characters with the new strategy they add, the graphics, and the cute design. Though one of the reviewers voiced dislike for the fact that the other characters act as mere subordinates to Pocky, they gave it unanimous scores of 8 out of 10 each. The four reviewers of Electronic Gaming Monthly gave the game rave reviews, praising the additional characters with unique abilities, the graphics, and the gameplay design. This exploitation of player 2 is a departure from the previous game, in which player 1 and Player 2 had similar powers and were equally valuable. Additionally, she can throw her partner at enemies to attack, doing massive damage to the enemy but temporarily killing the thrown character. Using "magic", she can force herself into her partner's mind and control their body for a short time, enabling unique abilities depending on who she possesses. Pocky can use Player 2's character as a utility in various ways. If there is no second player, the supporting character will be CPU-controlled. Player 2 assumes a supporting role as one of Pocky's friends each possessing a unique attack and unlimited lives. Pocky can pick up items to improve her attack power and new clothes to protect herself from damage, as well as throw player 2's character and use magic. Player one controls the main protagonist, Pocky, who attacks by throwing ofuda talismans (referred to as "cards" in English versions).
The game is played in a top-down view, featuring many elements from classic shoot 'em up games but giving the player free eight-directional movement.