Written by: Alex

 

 

 

Eastasiasoft’s new DLC extends Söldner-X 2’s level count from seven to ten with "The Last Chapter". With three new stages, a bunch of challenges, an updated (more satisfying) ending, unlocks and a higher difficulty setting (which is also available as a free patch) it certainly expands the game, but do these additions offer enough to bring people back to the game?

 

 

I doubt anyone was committed to Söldner-X 2’s lore. The story of the invading, technologically advanced, D’aarg was always an excuse for the action. Even with the spectacularly deep voice acting that narrate the story it really added nothing to the overall experience. That said if you did pay attention you probably noticed a spectacularly unsatisfying ending which stated that the evil alien uprising was on the counter offensive (I would say that was a spoiler, but even in the game it's a rather tepid declaration).

 

The Last Chapter wraps up this story arch. It is hard to say if this idea was always a deliberate drive for this DLC, or if a full sequel was the original plan, but either way to get closure on the D’aarg invasion this is a necessity.

 

 

 

For those who have played the core game of Söldner-X 2 will know that in terms of levels there is not really that much to see. With a total of seven levels each lasts around five minutes you can clear it all in under an hour, if you’re good. In truth though the game is significantly extended by having to find enough ‘keys’ within each stage to unlock the later levels, meaning it took me around four hours to unlock everything, and that was with a FAQ.

 

If you have had the fortitude to unlock all of the stages then The Last Chapter are a no brainer because you must like the game (or are a masochist) and so you should enjoy the small tweaks that have been made.

 

 

While the concept is unchanged for the new levels they manage to be more interesting than most of those in the main game. A brief break down sees level eight being rather standard fair but with the best enemy design seen in the game (bar the final tacky boss). Level nine stands as the best Söldner-X 2 has to offer, flying around a huge alien ship taking it out piece by piece slowly depleating the boss health bar.