Irem Collection Volume 2
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Critics Recommend
Critic Reviews for Irem Collection Volume 2
The second IREM collection may not be packed with well-known games, but it includes important games. These titles set the stage for more popular games and launched the careers of these developers. It is worth knowing that from the outset. That is how I would market this collection, it makes it worth owning alone. Being able to see the origins of classic arcade games is great. Toss in making previously unavailable in the West games and you have a can’t miss collection that any gamer that grew up in 90s arcades would be disappointed to miss out on.
Irem Collection Volume 2 is a pretty good compilation of a few arcade games that are all incredibly fun if you decide to play via co-op multiplayer. So, if you love classic run 'n' gun games with a little shmup action on the side then get blasting, chum! 💥
Really, I’m at least glad this set had more time in the oven to not be a total disaster like the first volume, and I can even say this is a decent little collection of games if you like shooting titles. Sadly, with no real extras or any bonuses besides online leaderboards, this is still a really steep ask for the price point, and I once again feel that all three of these titles would have been far better as Arcade Archives titles.
Irem Collection Volume 2 is interesting for bringing titles that would serve as inspiration for Metal Slug and that are excellent jewels by themselves, all of them with great emulation. It's a shame that the production context isn't presented to the player, leaving the curious ones to their devices in searching for info on the internet.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
I won't be unfair here: having all these versions of GunForce available to try is interesting, but wouldn't it be better to only keep the arcade versions (play only those and just test the others out of curiosity, trust me) and worry about all the rest? Isn't the cost of the collection enough to give more care to the titles? Nonetheless, do play GunForce, they are neat!
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Overall, if you are a fan of these collections and are intent on buying them, regardless of what's involved, there is a decent few hours here at most. It's hard to recommend this collection due to there only being one really fun game here. That said, if you are interested in the origins of Metal Slug, then grab a few guns, a jet, and snag a few of those hostages to rescue, and prepare to die, alot.
