Azure Striker Gunvolt 2 footage reveals new mechanics and character

12 minutes of Azure Striker Gunvolt 2 have found their way onto the Internet, and my goodness, it looks like an absolute blast.

The footage, from Nintendo Everything, shows off the new character Copen and the abilities he brings to the formula. For one, Inti Creates obviously borrowed from the mechanics it used in Mighty No.9 as Copen’s main attack includes stunning enemies with a blaster and charging into them with a blistering dash attack. Our pink and white ally can also manipulate a squad of drones that revolve around him to create force fields and giant lasers.

In a more general scope, Inti Creates has also come a long way in addressing the first game’s issues with level design and enemy placement. Nothing was particularly wrong with the first Azure Striker Gunvolt, but platforming sections and the overall stages felt incredibly elementary compared to the standard barer of quality for the genre, Mega Man.

Just from these 12 minutes, I can see that this sequel will be a more complete and professionally crafted experience. Sadly, we don’t get to see the first game’s protagonist, Gunvolt, in action, but he has been confirmed to return as a playable character.

Azure Striker Gunvolt 2 launches for the Nintendo 3DS in Japan on August 25. No word yet on the North American release, but after the success the first one saw, I doubt Inti Creates will want to pass it up.