INTORDUCTION
After playing and reviewing number one, I'm continuing my journey through the saga with Infinity 2! Like the first, developer Nick worked with RPG Maker 2003. Once again, I was slightly disappointed by the length and depth of the game. I managed to do everything there is to do in just under an hour. However, there were some new features and a lot of improvements which were much appreciated, and in most cases they worked well. This is a game unto itself and can be played without playing the first installment.


Pixel porn... hilarious.

STORY
As in the first, this is an open-world, do as you please RPG. There is no story. There aren't even really any quests that could have given the illusion of the NPCs having actual lives. The NPCs have the same mindless one-liners that leave you wondering why everyone sounds like demented robots. Reading back those last two sentences I realize that they sound quite mean. On the plus side; the way they talk about certain areas of the gaming world makes you want to go and visit them and gives certain areas an element of wonder.


BATTLE ARENA: Most exciting place in the game! Yes, that is Legolas...

GAMEPLAY
I was excited to hear about new features like an Assassin's Guild and Battle Arena. An Assassin's Creed/RPG Maker crossover however could have been better executed... Looking forward to stalking your mark? Observing his movements? Waiting till he reaches a secluded place and then waiting for the perfect moment? Can't wait to slightly trip, letting him hear you and having to brawl it out in the fight to the death? Forget it. Here, you get your mission, find your mark and just press the action button.

The battle arena was better, being the only slightly challenging thing in the game. Nothing revolutionary, classic RPG turn-based combat. One hick was the fact that your character changes their look when you go into battle. Why bother finding Link if I can't see him in fighting action? There is also a new Notoriety and Kindness gauge. Get notoriety for assassination missions and kindness for good deeds performed for pub-goers. As in the last game, this, and your other actions have no consequences in-game. It really puts into question the existence of such a gauge.


THUG LIFE

DESIGN
The game does look a lot better than the first. Even if some of the mapping was a bit lazy, most of it was quite acceptable. The maps were well designed, and each had their own distinct atmosphere. This was enforced by well chosen songs and solid audio.

I was quite shocked upon starting the game, and finding that the seasons changed about every thirty seconds! This was justified by the fact secret chests could be reached in the sea during winter as the sea froze over, but I'm not a fan of the drastic weather changes. I must however say that the snow-covering of the summer map was very well done and the town looks just as good in December as it does in July.


Santa's been a bad boy... "PAY HER!"

CONCLUSION
So I'm still to find the game that I was expecting from the Infinity series. I feel it may slightly make itself out to be something it's not for the moment. There isn't much difference between the first and second games. I think I even preferred playing the first, it engaged me more and was more enjoyable despite the inferior design. I'm giving it the score of 2.5, purely because it disappointed me greatly and could have been a lot better. I'm anxious and looking forward to playing number 3, until then; I'll see you.