Attack on Titan 2 arrives on PS4, PC and Vita as a sequel built around the wall-climbing, titan-slaying action that defined the original game. It is a competent, occasionally frustrating package that fans will find familiar and newcomers can pick up quickly. The game does not reinvent the formula, but it executes it with a smoother pace and a wider set of missions than the first entry offered.
Climbing the Walls
Climbing the walls remains the core skill, and it feels better here than in the previous game. Players move up brick faces with a light touch, slide down ropes, and swing off hooks with a satisfying weight. The controls are tight enough that mistakes feel like player error rather than system failure, which is a notable improvement over the awkwardness of the earlier release.
Titan fights are the highlight. Players drop from the sky, land on a human target, and tear through them with claw and bite. The attacks land with real force, and the animations sell the chaos. These sequences are where the game shines brightest, delivering the visceral thrill that made the anime famous.
Mission Variety
The campaign mode sends players through a series of objectives tied to the anime’s story. Missions ask for reconnaissance, rescues, and direct assaults on titan positions. The pacing is uneven, with some stretches feeling too long and others rushing past key moments. Players who want a linear, focused narrative may find themselves skipping missions to get to the next fight.
The mission variety is decent, though it leans heavily on standard titan hunts. A few side missions add a bit of depth, letting players explore the walls and cities more freely. None of it reaches the heights of the main fights, but it keeps the game from feeling repetitive.
Co-op Play
Co-op play is where Attack on Titan 2 shows its best face. Up to four players can join a mission together, sharing titan kills and working through objectives as a team. This mode adds a layer of coordination that the solo campaign lacks. Players can cover each other’s weaknesses, call out titan locations, and coordinate attacks.
The co-op mode is the strongest reason to return to the game after finishing the main story. It gives the wall climbing and titan fights a social purpose, turning solo frustration into shared fun.
Vita Version
The Vita version is a curious case. It runs on the older hardware, and the frame rate suffers for it. Some players report slowdown during busier moments, though the game remains playable. The Vita’s touch screen adds a unique control scheme, letting players use the stylus to aim and fire, which is a small novelty but not a major selling point.
The Vita version is a solid way to experience Attack on Titan 2 on the go, even if it is not the definitive version. For players with a Vita, it is worth considering alongside the PS4 or PC releases.
Technical Issues
Not everything holds up. Some missions suffer from loading times that break immersion, pulling players out of the moment just as a fight is getting interesting. The camera can also be uncooperative during tight spaces, making navigation difficult.
These issues are not fatal, but they are persistent enough to frustrate anyone playing for extended periods. They are the kind of problems that show up in a game that has clearly been patched and expanded over time, rather than built from scratch.
Sound Design
The music matches the tone of the anime, shifting from tense strings during exploration to swelling brass during titan fights. Sound effects are sharp, with the clang of blades and the roar of titans carrying weight. The audio design does not stand out on its own, but it supports the action well.
Voice acting is sparse outside the main missions, which limits the emotional impact of some scenes. The game relies on text boxes for much of its dialogue, which is a trade-off that keeps the focus on action rather than story.
Replay Value
Replay value comes mostly from the co-op mode and the extra missions. Solo players who finish the main story may find little reason to return, since the difficulty curve does not offer a significant challenge beyond the standard titan hunts. The game is not built for repeated playthroughs, and that is a limitation of the design.
There is no New Game Plus or branching paths to encourage returning. The game simply ends once the credits roll.
Comparing the Platforms
| Feature | PS4 / PC / XONE | Vita |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | Smooth, stable | Slower, occasional slowdown |
| Controls | Full keyboard and mouse support | Touch screen and buttons |
| Co-op | Yes, up to four players | Not detailed in the source |
| Story | Full campaign | Full campaign |
| Visuals | High detail | Lower detail |
Final Word
Attack on Titan 2 improves on the original in almost every mechanical area, from wall climbing to titan combat. Its campaign is a mixed bag, with strong highs and weaker lows, and the technical issues keep it from greatness. The co-op mode is the standout feature, giving the game a reason to bring friends together.
The Vita version is a solid, if limited, option for players who want to play on the go. It captures the core experience without matching the polish of the larger platforms.
For fans of the anime, Attack on Titan 2 delivers the action they expect, even if the story stumbles along the way. It is a worthy successor that respects the source material while finding its own identity.
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