Fullmetal Alchemist 2: Curse of the Crimson Elixir

Fullmetal Alchemist 2: Curse of the Crimson Elixir
Developer(s)	Racjin
Publisher(s)	Square Enix
Platform(s)	PlayStation 2
Release date(s)	JP 2004-09-22 NA 2005-07-12
Genre(s)	Action RPG
Mode(s)	Single player
Rating(s)	ESRB: Teen
Media/distribution	1 DVD-ROM
System requirements PlayStation 2 Memory card

Fullmetal Alchemist 2: Curse of the Crimson Elixir (鋼の錬金術師2〜赤きエリクシルの悪魔〜, Hagane no Renkinjutsushi: Akaki Erikushiru no Akuma, Devil of the Red Elixir in Japan) is the second role-playing video game for the PlayStation 2 based on the series of the same name. It is the prequel of sorts to Fullmetal Alchemist and the Broken Angel. The game has much improved visuals than the previous title, as well as all dialog being voiced over. To help boost sales, Square Enix decided to release the game with a bonus DVD in the United States containing the second and third episodes of season two (episode 27 "Teacher" and 28 "One is All, All is One") of the Fullmetal Alchemist anime series, since the show took a four month break in its Adult Swim broadcast. This DVD contains only English audio, with the shortened version of the second opening theme song "Ready Steady Go" by L'Arc-en-Ciel and the shortened third ending "Motherland" by Crystal Kay.

Plot

The game begins with Edward and Alphonse arriving in the city of Lior to deal with Father Cornello and ask him about the Philosopher's Stone. However, just as soon as the two brothers defeat him, Father Cornello is pulled into a dark void and disappears. Edward notices a strange phantom-like woman hiding behind the statues watching the scene.

Shortly afterwards, after facing off against Bald, investigating Shou Tucker's home, battling Scar, Edward and Alphonse learn upon their arrival in their hometown of a frightening phenomenon sweeping Amestris; people in many regions are vanishing without a trace, supposedly spirited away by "monsters". In Resembool, Edward and Alphonse meet an enigmatic alchemist named Jack Crowley and an entity called the Phantom. It seems that they have some connection with both the disappearances and the strange creatures (known as Golems) appearing around the countryside.

When Roy Mustang sends the brothers and Riza Hawkeye to investigate a village plagued by these monsters, they meet Arlen Glostner, an archaeologist who is studying the ancient civilization of Lebis. Edward and Alphonse soon find themselves headed for the ruins of Siam-Sid, the capital city of Lebis, to discover the truth behind the Golems and the puzzling disappearances.

Characters

Main article: Characters of Fullmetal Alchemist and Characters of Fullmetal Alchemist video games

• Edward Elric: The Fullmetal Alchemist, his nickname is given because the term "Fullmetal" is used to describe a person who is stubborn. In the series it is often mistakenly attributed by minor characters to Ed's automail arm and leg, or Al's armor body.

• Alphonse Elric: Al is the younger brother of Edward Elric, but is often confused to be older than Ed because he is trapped in a suit of armor twice as large as he is.

• Roy Mustang (non-playable): The Flame Alchemist, a man who specializes in flame alchemy. He is Ed's immediate superior in the military and seems to have his own ambitious objectives unknown to those but his closest confidantes. He is also quite the ladies' man.

• Riza Hawkeye (non-playable): One of Mustang's most trusted confidantes, a severe woman who can remain cool under even the greatest pressure. She is an officer highly capable of accomplishing any designated mission and is an excellent shot with a gun.

• Maes Hughes (non-playable): One of Mustang's most trusted confidantes, a warm-hearted family man whose favorite thing to do is show off pictures of his young daughter to anyone. He is a skilled knife thrower.

• Alex Louis Armstrong (non-playable, mini-boss): Another member of Mustang's group, a man who can use alchemy to increase the muscular strength of his already extremely well built body.

• Winry Rockbell (non-playable): The childhood friend of Ed and Al, an automail mechanic.

• Arlen Glostner (アーレン・グロースター, Āren Gurōsutā) (non-playable): An archaeologist who specializes in certain ancient civilizations. This old codger is stubborn and cranky, but his soul still burns with a fiery passion. And yet he seems to be haunted by shadowy memories of the past...

• Jack Crowley (ジャック・クロウリー, Jakku Krourī) (non-playable): Once nicknamed "The Silver Bullet Alchemist", this former state alchemist was stripped of his certification long ago.

• Elma (エルマ, Eruma) (non-playable): A beautiful but enigmatic woman who appears to Ed and Al time and time again. She is in fact the strange phantom-like woman and Crowley's lover. He tried to revive her, using the golems of Lebis, like the king before him, but she always turn into mud at the end. Her "phantom part" is in fact her "golem part" and she can't control herself.

Reception

Reception
Aggregate scores
Aggregator	Score
GameRankings	68.59%
Review scores
Publication	Score
1UP.com	C+
GameSpot	7.3/10
GameSpy

As of August 31, 2005, the game has sold 160,000 units in Japan. In his review of the August 2005 Newtype USA Game of the Month Kevin Gifford writes "For Broken Angel veterans, the improvements here will likely be incremental." and that "If there's anything to complain about with Curse, it's the slow buildup."

External links

• Official JP Website
• Official US Website
• Fullmetal Alchemist 2: Curse of the Crimson Elixir at MobyGames