Fuuraiki 2 [PS2/JPN]

NCS Product Synopsis
Update: November 9, 2005
«©NCSX» Take a ferry and travel to the southern islands (Miyako and Yaeyama) of Okinawa as a reporter who has been sent on an assignment to discover the "true Okinawa." From the beautiful flora and swimsuit-wearing fauna on the islands, the reporter interacts with Okinawa's natural beauty by way of a camera and insatiable curiosity. Three local gals may join the reporter on his exploration forays but he may also hoof it alone if desired.

   Contributions to a writing assignment await the reporter at the end of each day which requires suitable photos taken during the day and an online bulletin board is available for making contact with the home office. Travel through the islands by way of motorcycle and visit over 100 locations throughout Okinawa such as Zamami Island which is the center of the Kerama Islands. Tourists travel to Zamami Island for humpback whale watching (whales are protected in Okinawa) and marine sports. The locations in Fuuraiki 2 are recreated in photorealistic fashion for a "you are there" immersive experience.

Product Specifications
Publisher: FOG
JAN Code: 4531772140053
Japanese Title: フォグ ヤフオク! - 風雨来記2
Compatibility: PS2 (Japan-Only)
Region: Japan
Language: Japanese

* Before reaching Okinawa, the protagonist reflects on the events that led to his current assignment. He thinks back to the occasion at the office where his spiky haired editor fleshed out the assignment in full.

* Upon landing in Okinawa, photographs of the ship are shown and finally the bay door opens and a car's ignition may be heard before it vrooms off in the distance.

* Crisp video of an Okinawan beach, a waterfall, a pink flower, craggy cliffs, and extremely clear water may be seen afterwards in the proper introduction to the game. A seafood market, a pagoda, an airfield, a shrine, and many other interesting sights may also be viewed in to the intro which mixes photographs with anime characters from the game. There is no way to skip the intro but it's worth viewing.

* The protagonist travels from location to location on a motorcycle. While one won't get to play a version of Super Hang-On, an animation of the motorcycle and motorcycle sound effects may be heard.

* The game is played entirely in flick-screen interactive sequences. For example, if you're in the garage and have just parked your motorcycle, an arrow will point to where you may go next. Point the L-Analog Pad in the appointed directionand you'll be whisked to the next location where a text box will describe the scenario or current situation that you're up against. We realize that Fuuraiki 2 will appeal to a very limited audience in the USA. NCS however finds such interactive games charming and intriguing - to think that a game publisher designed an interactive experience around Okinawa and took a chance on it.

* We would have preferred more interactivity in the camera sequences. As they are, you just press a button to shoot - there is no way to pan the camera around or use telephoto to hunt for interesting subjects.

* To view the text of everything that has been posted, said, or described thus far in the game, press the "TRIANGLE" button and you'll be able to scroll through the entire text (script) of the game up to your current location.