Power Stone 2

Overview

Power Stone 2 is a 3D historical-fantasy platformer-fighting game developed and released by Capcom for arcades (using Dreamcast-based Sega NAOMI hardware) on April 2000.

A sequel to the 1999 game Power Stone, Power Stone 2 builds on its predecessor by focusing on four-player free-for-all combat on more dynamic stages (which change over time and present new hazards). It also adds a variety of new characters, items, and weapons while changing the control layout (with Punch and Kick replaced by a single Attack button and an Action button for grabbing items). The game's story involves the cast of the original Power Stone being transported into a mysterious floating castle, where they try to find a way to escape.

The game also received a home release for the Dreamcast in Japan on April 27, 2000, with an overseas release on August 23, 2000 (of which the EU version was published by Eidos Interactive). It features a variety of new game modes and customization options (including one-on-one and, team matches) while including online multiplayer (Japanese version only) and both item crafting and item trading (allowing players to earn over 100 new items to use in-game, while being able to use the VMU to use them in the arcade version).

The game later received an enhanced 2006 handheld port and will be included in the 2025 compilation Capcom Fighting Collection 2.

Gameplay

The gameplay consists of two-to-four fighters combating simultaneously on a stage from a top-down camera view. The fighters can use numerous items scattered throughout the stage as well as environmental stage traps to gain the upper hand against their opponents. The fight ends when the surviving combatants are determined after combat or once the time limit has been reached.

Power Stones

Power Stones are crystals scattered around the stage where it gives a fighter increased attacking power when they are collected. If a fighter manages to collect three Power Stones, the fighter will transform into a more powerful version of themselves where they can unleash powerful attacks that inflict major damage.

Other Gameplay Elements

Wall Jump: Fighters have the ability to springboard off the wall to jump higher to reach a higher platform.

Attack Dodge: Fighters can dodge an opponent's attack if they time the movement the moment the opponent attacks.

Catch: Fighters can catch an oncoming item thrown at them if they can correctly time when the item arrives to them.

Revive: Fighters can revive fallen fighters during battle. The fighter who is reviving the fallen fighter will expend some of their health over to the fallen fighter.

Item Shop

In the Dreamcast version, the player can use money to buy additional weapons and items to use in battle. They can also craft new weapons and items by fuse two item cards together collected in adventure mode. Not all fusions produce a new item. But if a new item is produced from a fusion, that item is now available to be used in battle.

Game Modes (Dreamcast)

• 1-on-1 (1-2 Players): A variation of the game's Arcade mode, where each free-for-all mode is replaced with a one-on-one match. Another player can opt to interrupt the fight for a versus match.

• Arcade (1-4 Players): The standard six-stage mode used in the arcade version, with players playing three free-for-all matches and two boss fights. On free-for-all fights, the two surviving fighters (either of which must be a player) progress through to the next stage and, if its a boss fight, get to co-operate against the boss. Another player can opt to join in to either co-operate or to challenge to a versus match.

• Original (1-4 Players): Custom matches with a variety of game configuration options, including rules on time and items, the stage to fight on, combatant count, and player teams. It also allows players to play the boss fights at any time.

• Adventure (1 Player): A variation of the game's Arcade mode without the option for other players to join and with the player challenging opposing teams (with easier difficulties giving one-on-one fights and harder difficulties giving one-on-two or even one-on-three fights). This mode allows players to earn money and special items/materials for the Item Shop.

Characters

All eight characters from the base roster of the original Power Stone return, with only that game's bosses (Kraken and Valgas) not returning (although they can be unlocked in the PSP version).

New Additions

• Accel - Vagabond Gunman / Cowboy Fighting Style
• Gourmand - Evil Chef / Heavy and Solid Fighting Style
• Julia Whitepearl - Secret Grace / Light/Simple Fighting Style
• Pete - Inventory Toy / Living Toy Fighting Style
• Pride Falcon (unlockable) - Boxing Fighting Style
• Mel (unlockable in the Dreamcast and PSP versions) - Light/Woman Fighting Style
• Kraken (unlockable in the PSP version)
• Valgas (unlockable in the PSP version)

Returning Characters

• Ayame - Cherry Blossom Dancer / Ninja Fighting Style
• Edward Falcon - Red Whirlwind / Boxing Fighting Style
• Galuda - Proud Eagle / Heavy and Solid Fighting Style
• Gunrock - Heavy Tank / Heavy and Solid Fighting Style
• Jack - Mad Clown / Light/Original Fighting Style
• Rouge - Scorching Beauty / Burning/Light Fighting Style
• Ryoma - Master Swordsman / Samurai Fighting Style
• Wang-Tang - Agile Dragon - Martial Artist Fighting Style

Unplayable Bosses

• Pharaoh Walker - Walking Fortress / Mid-Boss in Arcade Mode
• Dr. Erode - Corrupt Emperor / Final Boss in Arcade Mode

Stages

The five main stages of Power Stone 2 play out with an action sequence occurring minutes into battle. These action sequences forces all fighters to move with the action sequence while battling against the other combatants. Once the action sequence is complete, the battle continues at a final stationary area until the battle ends.

• Blue Sky: A stage that starts the combatants fighting on an airplane. The airplane breaks down and the combatants battle in the air until they land on a batch of land to finish the battle.

• Dark Castle: A stage fought on the outer grounds first then eventually moves to a room inside the castle.

• Tomb: A stage fought in an underground cavernous environment. An Indiana Jones inspired rock chasing after the combatants occurs midway during battle.

• Iceberg: A stage fought in the oceans with submarines submerging and emerging in and out of the ocean until the combatants eventually reach onto an iceberg to finish the battle.

• Space Station: A stage fought on a moving elevator platform where each floor presents a unique layout for the fighters to fight on.

Unlockable Stages

Unlike the five main stages, the unlockable stages do not have any action sequences occur during battle. The battle is fought within the stage presented.

• Desert: A stage fought in a desert. It's the same stage from the arcade mode where the players battle the mid-boss Pharaoh Walker.

• Extra Stage 1: A stage fought inside Mel's Item Shop.

• Extra Stage 2: A stage fought on narrow catwalk along with two metal beams placed in between two skyscrapers.

• Extra Stage 3: A stage fought on a unique airborne platform hovering over an ocean.

Items

All of the items from the previous game return along with over 100 new additions, most of which has to be unlocked in the Dreamcast version before use (either through the game's crafting system, the game's shop, or unlocked in Adventure mode).

When playing with a VMU character save, players can "register" up to six unlocked "Handy Items" that can be found for them during the match. This is done using a VMU application known as the "Mini-Book". In addition, players can use the application to equip special cosmetic items to use in the match and trade items with other players, as well as bring their outfit and Handy Items to the arcade version (if the cabinet supports the VMU).

Level 1

• Gun
• Machine Gun
• Bazooka
• Flame Thrower
• Ray Gun
• Fire-Bottle
• Small Bomb
• Medium Bomb
• Large Bomb
• Iron Pipe
• Magic Stick
• Sword
• Power Sword
• Hammer
• Apple - Healing.
• Short Cake - Healing.
• Meat - Healing.
• Power Shield

Level 2

• Soap Bubble Gun
• 3-Way Shotgun
• Ice Rod
• Magic Rod
• Loudspeaker
• Leg Weight
• Toy Hammer
• Umbrella
• Trident
• Battlefield Axe
• Skateboard - Movement.
• Rice Ball - Healing.
• Banana - Healing.
• Hamburger - Healing.
• Cheese - Healing.
• Kitten - Companion.
• Leg Trap

Level 3

• Tranquilizer Gun
• Beam Gun
• Flame Rod
• Mystic Rod
• Trumpet
• Fire Cracker
• Hand Grenade
• Harisen
• Metallic Bat
• Flame Sword
• Cheap Umbrella
• Spear
• Lumber Jack's Axe
• Inline Skate - Movement.
• Petrifier
• Typhoon
• Fireworks
• Soccer Ball (added in the PSP version)
• Twin Potion (added in the PSP version)
• Manches Chainsaw (added in the PSP version)
• Wok Gun (added in the PSP version)

Level 4

• Homing Missile
• 5-Way Shotgun
• Weird Rod
• Adhesive Spray
• Frozen Tuna
• Devil Sickle
• Ice Sword
• Thunder Sword
• Pickaxe
• Fork
• Spoon
• Victory Axe
• Roast Chicken - Healing.
• Panther - Companion.
• Fire Dragon - Companion.
• Thumbtack
• Stick Bomb
• Totem Hammer (added in the PSP version)
• Stone Sweeper (added in the PSP version)

Level 5

• Thunder Rod
• Big Racket
• Morning Star
• Beam Sword
• Magical Mallet
• Gigantic Hammer
• Deluxe Umbrella
• Deluxe Spear
• Deluxe Trident
• Roast Pork - Healing.
• Angel Wing
• Deluxe Shield
• Ice Dragon - Companion.
• Pitfall Hoop
• Beehive
• Crystal Ball (added in the PSP version)
• Amenomurakumo (added in the PSP version)
• Decoy Bomb (added in the PSP version)

Level 6

• Powerful Buster - An arm cannon based on Mega Man's. Hold the Attack button to charge power.
• Arm Gun
• Medusa - Arm shield that can turn anything to stone.
• Lance of Lava
• Dragon Slayer
• Legendary Sword
• Brave Man's Axe
• Scooter - Movement.
• Wedding Cake - Healing.
• Devil Wing
• Transparentizer
• Thunder Dragon - Companion.
• Bamboo Shoot
• Meteor
• Power Stone Magazine
• Giant Boots (added in the PSP version)
• Turbo Helmet (added in the PSP version)
• Thunderbolt Rider (added in the PSP version)

Level 7

• Exciting Book
• Light Stone