Our previous missile-punching, demigod-killing look at Asura’s Wrath was fun, but it also had us a little worried. On one end of the spectrum, we were hoping to see a bit more of the game beyond giant set-pieces, while that fight had our minds racing about how CyberConnect2 could possibly top beating a planet-sized tyrant. Our latest look addressed both concerns.

The first new level gave us a better peek at the game’s rank-and-file “Gohma” enemies – black-colored animal spirits with icky red veins. We disposed of a few ape Gohma with ground-based brawling, then entered a chase sequence as one of them ran off with an innocent villager. After slowing it down with projectiles, a giant turtle Gohma presented a new challenge, dishing out slow-but-powerful attacks as quicker Gohma provided distractions. Asura demolished their forces, earning the worship of the local villagers (who speak in a nonsense language a la Ico due to the evolution in language in the millennia after Asura’s death).

A later episode showed Asura in a vastly different state, with an unexplained attack leaving him literally unarmed. Lacking upper limbs, Asura was unable to use projectiles but could still perform melee attacks against nearby Gohma. Even in this state, he was still able to handily defeat a bizarre-looking, mustachioed Buddha-type boss character.

Sound strange? The developers assure us even more craziness is in store: “We’re pretty confident that the last boss battle’s going to be something that you’ve never seen before.” Hmm…

PUBLISHER: Capcom  •  DEVELOPER: CyberConnect2  •  Multiplayer: No  •  RELEASE DATE: February 21, 2012  •  FOR FANS OF: Insane boss battles, speaking gibberish