God Eater 2: Rage Burst

God Eater 2: Rage Burst is an expanded version of the second entry in the hunting action series, in which humanity survives amid the ruins of a world overrun by creatures called Aragami. The player belongs to a unit of so-called God Eaters, fighters equipped with living weapons capable of devouring enemies and drawing strength from them. The game's structure is mission-based: between expeditions the player moves around the base, talks with fellow soldiers, takes on contracts, and prepares equipment before heading out on a time-limited hunt for a specific monster. Compared to the first game, the story is darker and gives more room to the psychological toll on soldiers who know their weapon is also their affliction.

Combat relies on fast action with the ability to switch the weapon between several forms right in the middle of an attack. The player alternates between a sword, a cannon, and a form meant for devouring enemies, which replenishes ammunition and activates boosting states. The expanded version added a system of so-called blood arts, which unlock and improve according to how the player actually fights, along with a new burst mode for turning the tide in tough battles. The Aragami have readable attack patterns and destructible body parts, and the materials harvested from them are used to craft better gear, creating the classic hunting loop where you play for the sake of gradually improving your equipment.

Technically the game ranks among the better action titles the Vita produced. It keeps a brisk pace, the animations are fluid, and the design of both weapons and monsters is inventive, even though the mission environments repeat. The music leans on dramatic orchestral and rock themes that give the hunts the urgency they need. The game was very popular in Japan and found a dedicated audience in the West as well, although reviewers pointed to the volume of text between missions and the fact that newcomers lack context from the first game. Today it stands as one of the most substantial cooperative action titles the handheld ever offered.