Demon Gaze II asks players to do a lot of grinding for a small amount of fun. The 2016 PS4 and Vita dungeon crawler returns with a bigger cast, a larger map and a combat system that still feels like it was built around menus instead of action. It is not a bad game, but it is a repetitive one.
Trailer, via NIS America.
The World and Its Demons
The setting is a fantasy world where demons live inside human bodies, and the story follows a hero who can summon them for battle. That premise gives the game its identity, even if the plot spends more time explaining lore than building tension. Characters talk about demons constantly, and the world looks distinct enough to keep the grind from feeling like one long corridor.
The demon-summoning system is the core mechanic. Players pick three demons to bring into battle, each with its own skills and stat boosts. Switching between them mid-fight is fast, which helps the combat feel active despite the turn-based structure. It is the one part of the game that rewards thought over reflex.
Grinding and Combat
The problem is pacing. Dungeons repeat their layouts, and enemies recycle their attacks. Early fights are quick, but later areas demand repeated runs through the same rooms to farm experience points. Some players will find the repetition soothing. Others will find it exhausting.
The Vita version of Demon Gaze II adds touch controls for the PS4 build, letting players move through menus with their fingers instead of a controller. It is a useful addition, since the game’s menus are dense and require a lot of scrolling. Whether that makes the grind easier depends on how comfortable a player is with the touch interface.
Music and Sound
The soundtrack is where Demon Gaze II shines. The music mixes orchestral pieces with electronic textures, and it changes tone depending on the area. Boss fights get dramatic scores, while wandering dungeons stay quiet and atmospheric. It is one of the strongest parts of the package.
The voice acting is thin. Most characters speak in short lines, and the PS4 version plays the Vita audio unchanged, which means the sound quality is lower than it could be. That is a small issue, but it stands out during longer cutscenes.
What Works Best
Here is a quick rundown of the game’s strengths:
- The demon-summoning system gives fights a strategic layer that most dungeon crawlers lack.
- The soundtrack is varied and well produced.
- The world design offers distinct areas that look different from each other.
- The touch controls make the Vita menus easier to manage on PS4.
These elements carry the game when the grinding gets heavy. They are not enough to save it entirely, but they keep the experience from collapsing into tedium.
Where It Falls Short
The biggest complaint is the sheer amount of time spent farming. Some dungeons require multiple runs just to reach the next level, and the game does not offer much variety in how those runs play out. Difficulty spikes appear without warning, and they can frustrate players who are not prepared for them.
The story also drags in places. Character development is thin, and the plot leans heavily on exposition rather than showing relationships through action. That approach works for some players, but it slows down the pacing significantly.
None of these issues sink the game. They just mean it takes longer to get through than it should.
Final Word
Demon Gaze II is a solid, if uneven, dungeon crawler. Its demon-summoning system and soundtrack set it apart, but the grinding and repetitive combat keep it from greatness. Players looking for a deep tactical experience will find plenty to enjoy. Those who want a game that moves quickly will likely find themselves skipping ahead to avoid the repetition.
The game holds a critical score of 7.9 out of 10, a fair mark that reflects both its strengths and its weaknesses. It is worth playing for fans of the genre, but newcomers may want to sample the demo before committing to the full campaign. The grind is real, and it is not always pleasant.
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