Valis II (1989). Play online

Summary

Valis II, often referred as Valis 2, arrived on the TurboGrafx‑CD wrapped in glossy anime‑style visuals and a CD‑quality soundtrack that still manages to pull you in. The collaborative scores of Kenichi Kamio and Shinobu Ogawa weave an atmospheric backdrop for Yuko Asou’s quest to halt the tyrannical emperor Megas in the fallen realm of Vecanti. This console version drops the computer’s equipment system and the occasional side‑scrolling shooter, delivering six tightly designed stages that reuse the original boss lineup but remix enemy placement and layout.

An on‑screen inventory lets you toggle costumes that tweak Yuko’s offense and defense while she fires projectiles upward, and brief animated interludes punctuate the action between levels. Developed by Laser Soft—the first CD‑ROM project of Telenet’s internal lab—the game bears the direction of Masami Hanari, script input from Hiroshi Akahori and Bunzō Matsui, and art direction by Osamu Nabeshima. Critics lauded its polished visuals, crisp audio, and responsive controls, even as they noted the short length, easy difficulty, and repetitive backgrounds.

Storyline

In Valis II for the TurboGrafx‑CD, the story picks up after Yuko Asou’s victory over the demon lord Rogles. Time has passed and the dream world of Vecanti now lies under the iron fist of Emperor Megas. Consumed by hatred for his slain brother, Megas is determined to erase every trace of Rogles, ruthlessly killing anyone who supported the former tyrant. Seeing Yuko and the legendary Valis sword as the only obstacles to his claim, he dispatches his minions to eliminate her before she can interfere. The game’s narrative unfolds through cinematic cutscenes that guide Yuko’s quest to confront Megas and end his oppressive reign.