The sequel to
Parasite Eve, developed by
Square. The game takes up two discs and is rated
Mature. Unfortunately not developed by the same team as the original game, so this one plays quite differently.
First of all, there is no longer an ATB or Active Time Bar, it now plays almost like a traditional Survival Horror game like Resident Evil, Silent Hill, Dino Crisis, or Fear Effect. The weapons aren't nearly as customizable as they were before. In fact, only the M4A1 rifle is about the only thing really customizable (though other weapons like the P08 can be customized slightly).
You also no longer level up, and instead use your experience to "buy" your Parasite Energies or spells. And no, Liberate isn't an option anymore. The spells are broken into four categories: Fire, Water, Earth and Wind. Only two skills are available for each at the start, but after maxing out both of them (level 3), a third spell unlocks in that category.
Bounty Points replace Bonus Points of old, but they no longer allow you to add bonuses to your stats and weapons, but instead allow you to buy weapons and items.
Armors no longer increase your defense, but instead give you more HP and MP. They also have attachment slots and by attaching items you can gain effects (such as being immune to Poison) or ready items you want to use during battle (you can only used items attached to your armor during a fight).
Characters:
Aya Brea (Age 27)-She is now part of MIST, based in Los Angeles, and has somehow gotten younger due to her enhanced mitochondria.
Kyle Madigan (Age 29)-Mysterious reporter you meet while investigating the town of Dryfield. He'll occasionally follow you around and help out in fights, just don't let him die or it's game over.
Pierce Carradine (Age 31)-Your hacker friend at MIST HQ.
Rupert Broderick (Age 37)-Your partner at MIST, though he plays a much smaller role than Daniel did in the original.
Gary Douglas (Age 56)-The only resident of Dryfield left. He patrols the area for NMCs and ANMCs even though he has a prosthetic leg. He'll also sell you some weapons, seeing as he's quite the gun enthusiast.
Flint-Gary's dog. Follows you around and points out stuff every now and then.
Jodie Bouquet (Age 24)-The girl in charge of the armory at MIST.
Eric Baldwin (Age 50)-Aya's boss, the guy in charge of MIST.
No. 9-Mysterious armored man who blows up the Akropolis Tower and pursues you in Dryfield.
Eve-A small child with incredible powers who bears an uncanny resemblance to Aya and Maya.
Parasite Energies (Spells):
Pyrokinesis (Fire)-Standard fireball spell
Combustion (Fire)-Launches a stream of fire
Inferno (Fire)-Toasts the screen
Metabolism (Water)-Cures status effects
Healing (Water)-Recovers HP
Life Drain (Water)-Sucks large amounts of life from all nearby foes
Antibody (Earth)-Reduces damage to Aya
Energy Shot (Earth)-Temporarily boosts your damage
Energy Ball (Earth)-Orbs rotate around Aya and will damage any foe that comes nearby
Necrosis (Wind)-A bolt of electricity stuns and poisons target
Plasma (Wind)-A burst of energy in all directions knocks down those nearby
Apobiosis (Wind)-Massive electrical damage and stuns for quite a while
Game Modes:
Normal Mode-Play game normally
Replay Mode-Play the game slightly easier and have access to weapons you unlocked in other modes. Unlocked by beating the game once.
Bounty Mode-The game is slightly harder and Golems are everywhere. You unlock this by beating the game once.
Scavenger Mode-Resources are way down, good luck. Need to beat the game with at least 69,001 EXP to unlock this mode.
Nightmare Mode-Resources are down, enemies are deadly, and your stats suck. Pray. Unlock by beating Scavenger mode.
Secrets Items
It is possible to get a Gunblade (Squall Leonhart and Seifer Almasy's weapon of choice in Final Fantasy VIII) and a Hypervelocity Railgun if you get a high enough rank. Good luck.