Gunvolt Chronicles: Luminous Avenger iX 2

Gunvolt Chronicles: Luminous Avenger iX 2, known in Japan as White Steel of X 2 (「白き鋼鉄のＸ（イクス）2」), is a game developed by Inti Creates for the Nintendo Switch, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series S, and Steam. It was released worldwide on January 27th, 2022. 
The second game in the "Gunvolt Chronicles" series and a direct sequel to Luminous Avenger iX, Luminous Avenger iX 2 once again features Copen as the main protagonist, who returns with new gameplay features.
== Gameplay ==
Similar to its predecessor, Luminous Avenger iX 2 stars Copen as its main player character. However, unlike that game, which simply imported the gameplay of Azure Striker Gunvolt 2 with minor adjustments, LAiX2 radically overhauls and changes Copen's gameplay system. 
Copen's armor has changed to automatically switch between two aesthetic "modes" depending on whether he is grounded or performing a bullit dash: the power focused Break-Shift and speed focused Bullit-Shift. Dashing on the ground now results in the rocket powered Recoil Dash, which knocks enemies and objects back and normally does not tag, and results in Copen bouncing backwards (how far back can be adjusted with movement). His laser gun, Divider, has been replaced by a new chain/buzz saw melee weapon known as the Razor Wheel, which can cut enemies in half. Pressing the attack button produces a small buzzsaw which can block physical projectiles, and holding the saw keeps it constantly spinning but massively reduces its damage output. Button mashing after the small saw produces a chainsaw swing from front to slightly overhead (also blocks physical projectiles), and mashing again after the chainsaw produces a large buzzsaw, which can be kept spinning by holding the button. This large saw holds Copen in place and has a long deactivation time, but can immediately be escaped with the ex weapon Whirling Chopper. The large saw is also capable of blocking the energy projectiles of nearly all common enemies in the game, but only a select few attacks from bosses (actually doing this is very impractical). The large buzzsaw can be launched like a yo-yo after purchasing the ability Boomerazor. Tagging an opponent with a bullit dash will cause the Razor Wheel to fire homing buzzsaws, much like Copen's old gun's homing lasers (this doesn't cut enemies in half). Accessing the skill menu will deactivate the tag. Defeating an enemy will trigger an invisible 5 second countdown, during which any additional enemy killed will reward the player with a 30 kudos Quick Razor bonus.
Prevasion and the Flashfield are gone, forcing Copen to block hits with the Razor Wheel instead. The ability Hyper Guard may be purchased and equipped, reducing almost any damage Copen takes to just 1 as long as he remains still. (Exceptions: Autochrome and Ypsilon's Aiming Ray attack)
Bullits have been done away with; performing one bullit dash prior to Overdrive (1000 kudos) will expend it and make an [EMPTY] sign flash in the middle of the screen until Copen lands on the ground, with a beep noise playing at the start and any time the dash button is pressed. Once Overdrive is triggered, bullit dashing is potentially unlimited, but runs on a timer that must be refreshed by colliding with enemies or the ground; failure results in an [EMPTY] state.
Lola also returns to support Copen in battle, her main function being the production of EX Weapons, granting Copen the power to use the abilities of the bosses he defeats. The EX Weapon gained from Rebellio in the previous game, Anchor Nexus, returns as the new default EX Weapon in a nerfed state (slight damage reduction and no longer has mid-dash defensive properties); Stellar Spark is absent. Once the player accumulates over 1000 kudos, Lola appears and triggers Overdrive. Lola also has a chance of triggering "Anthem" once Copen dies, reviving him and buffing his abilities, which also features the return of her "Awakened Mode". It is now possible for Anthem to be triggered by falling into a pit, and if so results in Copen reappearing on nearby ground. New to LAiX2 is Lola's "Healing Mode", allowing Copen to heal himself with no apparent limit, though the ability banks in Kudos upon use. 
Copen also has a new offensive special skill, Colossal Maelstrom, being functionally identical to Shred Storm from GV2 and Twin Shredder from iX1, except Lola briefly uses Darkness Mode instead of Awakening. This skill will cut any enemy it finishes in half.
The skill chants of past titles are absent in favor of animated skill cut-ins.
Copen's HP increasing with level ups is now tied to an equippable ability, and only reaches 685 HP at level 99, unlike in past games where it jumps to 999. 
In Normal Mode the standard Gutless/Normal/Fearless kudos system has been done away with in lieu of Lola's Healing Mode serving as the kudos eating penalty; take too much damage, and you will be forced to use it and bank your kudos.
===Hard Mode===
After collecting all emblems in stages, a hidden passageway in the right wall of the last pit of the final stage Hanging Gardens 2 becomes accessible. Entering it will unlock Hard Mode, which can be accessed from the title screen and has its own save files.
In Hard Mode, Copen is locked to level 1 (i.e. only 200 HP), has limited lives that when depleted will result in you getting sent back to the stage select screen, far shorter invincibility frames after being hit, all subroutines are disabled, Lola's Healing Mode is disabled, Kudos are lost upon being hit like in the old Fearless setting, bosses have upgraded attack patterns and almost all of them have switched around weaknesses (exception: Kirin). The game's true ending is locked behind completing all Hard Mode story missions.
Version 1.4.0 introduced Assist Mode for Hard Mode, which sets player lives to 200 by default, enables Healing, and activates the ability Medley, which changes the song playing when 2000 kudos, 3000 kudos, etc are reached (can't be turned off). This mode is displayed on all score results screens.
On Steam and hacked consoles it is possible to transfer a Normal Mode's level ups, active abilities, and unlocked missions to Hard Mode by renaming the file. Normal Mode saves are numbered 00 to 09, while Hard Mode saves are numbered 10 to 19. Ex, rename ix2game01 to ix2game11. Please note that this may prevent story progression depending on when it is done.
New boss weaknesses:
*Dacite: Cryo-Flash
*Vespa: Rolling Ripper
*Autochrome: Whirling Chopper
*Brigade: Doomsday Charge
*Hail: Optic Barrier
*Ace: Gatling Blitz
*Ypsilon: Whirling Chopper
*Final Boss, Phase 1: Anchor Nexus
*Final Boss, Phase 2: None, immune to Cryo-Flash
===Missions===
Like LAiX1, boss missions are divided into groups that must be cleared before the next one is unlocked. Versus missions are also confirmed to return. 
Image	Name 	Description 	Boss
 	Pillar Outskirts 	The opening stage. A desert wasteland with ruins leading to the entrance to the Grave Pillar. 	Ypsilon
 	Volcano Block 	A block of the tower dedicated to recreating an active volcano. 	Dacite
 	Jungle Block 	A block which houses a lush jungle filled with waterfalls and wildlife ranging from butterflies to birds. 	Vespa
 	Passage to Upper Stratum 	An intermission stage unlocked after defeating Dacite and Vespa. Compared to the previous stages, the backgrounds and gimmicks become way simpler.	Ypsilon (2)
 	Laboratory Block 	A laser research facility with numerous optical weapon installations. 	Autochrome
 	Industrial Block 	A factory which produces the various security robots of the pillar. 	Brigade
 	Arctic Block 	An icy moutain. 	Hail
 	Space Block 	A low gravity asteroid environment. 	Ace
 	Passage to Top Floor 	 	Vespa & Autochrome together
 	Entrance to Top Floor 	 	Ypsilon (3)
 	Hanging Gardens 	 	Dacite, Hail, Ace, Brigade Mk. II
 	Hanging Gardens 2 	 	Mother Computer
 	Versus Missions and Boss Rush	 	
==Plot==
Full plot summary: Gunvolt Chronicles: Luminous Avenger iX 2/Plot
After the events of Luminous Avenger iX, peace has once more returned to the world, with the Sumeragi Institute now under the benevolent command of Blade. With the world safe, Copen can finally dedicate his time to his main passion, that being scientific research, aided by Lola and Kohaku. One day, a mysterious weapon known as the "Blaster Rifle" appears, made with technology far beyond this world. Intrigued by the possibility of other worlds, Copen continues his research, until one day, an unfamiliar voice calls out, begging for help, and the Blaster Rifle creates a wormhole that sucks in Copen, Lola and Kohaku.
Awakening to a brand new world, the trio find themselves outside a massive building - the Grave Pillar, said to hold all the world's knowledge, guarded by robots known as Workers. With the help of a friendly Worker named Null, Copen and his party advance towards the Pillar - their only hope of getting home...
==Characters==
Character	Image
Copen - Voiced by Yuma Uchida (内田雄馬) (Japanese) / Alejandro Saab (English).
The main protagonist and the titular Luminous Avenger iX. Having saved his world from Sumeragi, an experiment gone wrong sends him and his allies to a strange, new universe with few friends in sight.	
Lola - Voiced by Mayu Mineda (峯田茉優) (Japanese) / Cassandra Lee Morris (English).
An energetic combat support robot created by Copen to aid him in battle, capable of copying an Adept's Septima and using it for Copen's benefit, and transforming into an idol to bring him to life through song.	
Kohaku - Voiced by Yumiri Hanamori (花守ゆみり) (Japanese) / Kira Buckland (English).
A young girl who befriended Copen and Lola during their battle against Sumeragi. A Mino with no Septima or combat ability, she nonetheless supports Copen with her skills as a mechanic.	
Null - Voiced by Sumire Morohoshi (諸星すみれ) (Japanese) / Natalie Rose Hoover (English).
A robot native to the parallel universe Copen and his friends have found himself in and its only friendly face.	
Ypsilon - Voiced by Yuma Uchida (内田雄馬) (Japanese) / Alejandro Saab (English).
A malfunctioning "fake Copen" Worker made based on Copen's data who aims to defeat him. His fighting style resembles...? Much like the real Copen he collects the abilities of fallen Gravekeepers, and grows in intelligence over time as well. Although Ypsilon serves a similar role to the Gravekeepers, he is technically not one due to having greater privileges within the pillar.	
Dacite - Voiced by Shunsuke Todo (藤堂駿介) (Japanese) / Connor Colquhoun (English)
Gravekeeper of the Volcano Block. A fire wielding stoic soldier type, he was created centuries ago and is the oldest of the Gravekeepers. The only Gravekeeper known to have been forced to fight intruding humans, he succumbed to despair over the contradictory nature of his missions and humanity's extinction.	
Vespa - Voiced by Akane Fujita (藤田茜) (Japanese) / Brittany Cox (English).
Gravekeeper of the Jungle Block. A self-proclaimed "high-class noble" Worker modeled after bees and wasps, she manipulates wind and flies using propellers. She is the younger sister of Autochrome, and has developed an inferiority complex due to their different weapon and propulsion systems.	
Brigade - Voiced by Yoshitaka Yamaya (山谷祥生) (Japanese) / Steve "Warky" Nunez (English).
Gravekeeper of the Industrial Block. Originally a close combat and high mobility fighter, he developed an obsession with heavy firepower and now fights using a custom tank called the Heavy Basalt. He greatly respects Dacite and refers to him as "Captain", and is eager to fight Copen after his destruction.	
Autochrome - Voiced by Takuya Sato (佐藤拓也) (Japanese) / Daman Mills (English).
Gravekeeper of the Laboratory Block. A Worker who wields laser weapons and flies with jet propulsion. He is a straight-laced and hardworking type, and consequently was entrusted with the tower's extremely destructive optic weapons systems. He is Vespa's older brother, and as sibling units they are potentially capable of incredible teamwork, but this has yet to happen due to Vespa's personality.	
Hail - Voiced by Akira Sekine (関根明良) (Japanese) / Jennifer Losi (English).
Gravekeeper of the Arctic Block. She wields ice and can slow down time at full power. Hail takes things at her own slow pace, and enjoys finding quiet places to sleep. She's nearly as old as Dacite and also fought humans prior to their extinction, but hasn't thought much about it.	
Ace - Voiced by Makoto Furukawa (古川慎) (Japanese) and Arin Hanson (English).
Gravekeeper of the Space Block. Based on a ninja, he is the fastest of all Workers and fights with razor boomerangs. The latest in a line of Gravekeepers who have been replaced over time, he is extremely efficient and disciplined.	
Mother - Voiced by Mayu Mineda (峯田茉優) (Japanese) and Cassandra Lee Morris (English).
The supervisory AI responsible for the Grave Pillar and the Workers. She was tasked with protecting the environment and restoring humanity by her creator, but is that really what she wants?	
==Soundtrack==
Main article: GUNVOLT CHRONICLES: LUMINOUS AVENGER IX2 SOUNDTRACK
Luminous Avenger iX 2 introduces eight new Lola (Mayu Mineda) songs. The full versions of them were released in the album RoRo Robotics Vox.
Song Name 	Lyrics 	Composer 	Arranger
Command Prompt (Main theme) 	Hakofactory	Ryo Kawakami	Keishi Yonao
Purification (New revival song)	Hakofactory	Ippo Yamada 	Keishi Yonao
Love's Sanctuary 	Hakofactory	Ryo Kawakami	Keishi Yonao
Ready to Go! 	Hakofactory	Ippo Yamada 	Keishi Yonao
Curiosity = Possibility! 	Hakofactory	Ryo Kawakami	Keishi Yonao
You're Not Alone 	Hakofactory	Ippo Yamada 	Keishi Yonao
Wordplay Magic 	Hakofactory	Ippo Yamada 	Keishi Yonao
The New World 	Hakofactory	Ryo Kawakami	Keishi Yonao
===Music Videos===
As part of the promotion of iX2, ten music videos of the game's songs were published, two in live action with Lola's voice actress Mayu Mineda cosplaying as Lola in Healing Mode, and eight in 3D with Lola. In a first for the series, the songs received official English translations of the lyrics as subtitles for the videos.
The first live action music video, Command Prompt, also received a "making of" video.
The Youtube release of the Purification 3D music video, which uniquely features Lola in her Awakened Mode, was censored by having her skin obscured by light. The music video was released uncensored on Niconico. 
==Physical and Limited Editions==
A Japanese standard and limited edition physical version for Nintendo Switch and Playstation 4 were announced with the game and preorders opened the following day. They are set to be released on the same day as the game.
On 2021 December 9th, it was announced that once again Inti Creates will be working with Limited Run Games to produce an English physical and collector's editions for the same consoles. Preorders will become available on January 25th and will remain open for 4 weeks. It will take 4 to 5 months for the standard edition and 8 to 9 months for the collector's edition to ship after preorders close.Limited Run Games tweet #1
On 2022 January 25, Limited Run Games announced a DOUBLE PACK that includes both COGEN: SWORD OF REWIND and GUNVOLT CHRONICLES: LUMINOUS AVENGER IX 2 for SWITCH and PSN4. Preorders close on Sunday, February 27, 2022 at 11:59pm eastern time.Limited Run Games tweet #2
All physical editions come with the DLC collaboration boss Kohaku Otori.
===Japanese===
The Japanese version of the collector's edition will have the following additional items:
*The "iX1 Perfect Guide + iX2" (白き鋼鉄の パーフェクトガイド＋ 2)), a 240 page strategy guide book handled by Famitsu with the first 200 pages featuring a walkthrough covering all of the first Luminous Avenger iX, and part of iX 2 (no end-game areas or Hard Mode). The guide book features previously unpublished official art for Copen, Blade and Demerzel, and 40 pages are dedicated to an art section which features other previously unpublished art. The book also features all the stage art for iX1 that was never released online, although they are apparently only small images in the guide half. There are a number of errors in the book which received corrections on the official iX2 site.
**Corrections page: http://gunvolt.com/X2/product/pdf/X2_20220228.pdf
*Song CD [RoRo Location 2022 IMAGE TRACK], which features an arranged medley of all the game's vocal songs from Command Prompt to Purification.
*DVD [Songstress of Hope "RoRo" MUSIC VIDEO CLIPS], which will have higher quality versions of all the music videos released online.
===English===
The English collector's edition will have the following additional items:
*Lola Pod PVC Keychain
*Original Soundtrack (Item turned out to be an album with only Lola's songs instead) 
*11 art cards
==DLC and Collaborations==
===COGEN: Sword of Rewind===
The protagonist of COGEN, Kohaku Otori (CV: Asuka Kakumoto), appears as the 1st DLC VS Mission boss character. She is available by default in physical versions, and can be purchased for $8 (800 Yen) in digital versions. Defeating her unlocks the Ouroboros System iX ability, which negates the EX Weapon Cryo-Flash's energy consumption and damage to enemies. She is the only DLC boss without any pre-battle dialog.
Copen also appears as a DLC playable character in COGEN with Lola as support, for $8 (800 Yen). He comes with three new stages and can be played as in all the normal ones, and has somewhat different mechanics than in iX2 and no EX Weapons. He can take more hits than Kohaku, but without the ability to rewind time any death traps are actually lethal.
===Dusk Diver 2===
The protagonist of Dusk Diver, Yang Yumo (CV: Hsuan-Ming Mu), will become available on February 24th (the release date of Dusk Diver 2) as a bonus VS Mission boss character for $8 (800 yen). Defeating her unlocks the ability D Burst, which allows Overdrive bullit dashing even without 1000 kudos.
Lola appears in Dusk Diver 2 as an NPC and boss in the DLC side quest "Visitors from Other World", released on March 31st for $5 (200 yen). Completing all relevant sub-quests unlocks a Lola Costume, Lola Headgear, and "Support Lola" special skill for Yumo which summons her in pod form to perform a Razor Wheel attack. Apparently Lola uses EX Weapons based on Dusk Diver 2 bosses in her battle.
===Blaster Master Zero 3===
In addition to the numerous references to Blaster Master Zero already in LAiX2, Jason Frudnick (CV: Kensho Ono (JP), Aver Hamilton (Eng)), with Eve (CV: Tamako Miyazaki (JP), Phoebe Chan (Eng)) as support, appears as the 3rd DLC VS Mission boss character for $8 (800 yen), made available on March 10th. Defeating him unlocks the Parallel Blaster Rifle ability, which doubles the Razor Wheel's untagged damage.
Although there is no corresponding iX2 DLC for Blaster Master Zero 3, with Copen's playable DLC appearance in BMZ2 and influence on Jason's abilities, it can still be considered a mutual crossover of sorts. 
===Gal Gun===
Coinciding with the releases of Gal*Gun Double Peace on Switch, and the Horny Trinity, the demon girl Kurona appears as the 4th DLC VS Mission boss character. She was released on March 24th for $4 (400 yen). Defeating her unlocks the ability Dark Power, which changes Lola's appearance to Darkness Mode during Overdrive (no gameplay change) and changes the song to Beyond Probability. Her skill art and portrait are recycled from Gal*Gun.
===Azure Striker Gunvolt 3===
Kirin, the new protagonist of GV3, is the 5th and final DLC VS Mission boss. She was released on April 6th for $4 (400 yen). Defeating her unlocks the Sealing Amulets ability, which prevents homing Razor Wheel shots from finishing enemies. Her battle theme is a remix of the GV3 boss theme, and her skill art reuses an animation from Gunvolt 3's development update trailer.
==Development==
Planning for a sequel began in Fall 2019 after the release of Luminous Avenger iX, but it wasn't until near the end of 2020 when gameplay design of Azure Striker Gunvolt 3 continued to see little progress and the game was delayed to be rethought that development of Luminous Avenger iX 2 actually began.Luminous Avenger iX 2 Soundtrack booklet, Ippo Yamada's production notes Several months after the announcement of Gunvolt 3, the director/writer of the first iX and scenario writer for the main series, Toshiaki Tai, was suddenly asked by Inti Creates CEO Takuya Aizu to make a sequel to iX while he was working on the plot, user interface, and other aspects of GV3. The goal was to make and release the game before GV3.Luminous Avenger iX 2 Soundtrack booklet, Tai's creator comment From the perspective of sound producer Ippo Yamada, the delay of GV3 and iX2 entering development was a sudden change in schedule, as the sound team had been working on the GV3 soundtrack throughout 2020 with the expectation that the game would be released in 2021. The design of Copen's Razor Wheel was completed on January 13th, 2021. With a little over one year of development, iX2 had a shorter development time than any other main or iX series game by a significant margin. iX2 was the first game developed using Inti Creates' third and newest game engine."White Steel X2" Game Introduction / From Dengeki Game Live (6:40)
The internal name of iX2 is "GVA2", and it appears the game was developed from a build of Azure Striker Gunvolt 3--references to Image Pulses and Lumen's cut-in can be found in the game's data.
There were issues to deal with such as avoiding the game being too similar to the main Gunvolt series, as well as how they felt they already achieved the "apeX of 2D action" with the first iX and already did all they wanted to do with that game, which necessitated starting from scratch in another direction with iX2. Copen being sent to another world (isekai) was both to be able to use robots and make it easy for newcomers to the series to jump in. Tai supposedly had that idea for iX1 at first.Gunvolt News Channel Episode 26 Tai initially felt anxious as he gave orders, but once it began to take shape he felt that anxiety was no more than an unnecessary concern, and that thanks to the efforts from the team they really did “break through the limits.” Things Tai gave up at the start of planning were re-incorporated before he knew it, and it led to the birth of a game that overcame his predictions.
Unlike the first iX which had main series director Yoshihisa Tsuda as a supervisor, he was only credited as special thanks for iX2. Although Tsuda had played some of iX2 during development, it wasn't until the "Loose Talking, the Targets are AiTsu! Episode 28" stream over three months after the game's release that he fully experienced the retail version. He was critical of some aspects such as the lack of consecutive Bullit Dashing, and how checkpoints and healing affect Kudos compared to how it works in Gunvolt 3. Aizu tried to rebuke him by reminding him of how Gunvolt 1 was early on. Tsuda claimed he should have paid more attention to what iX2 was doing during development and could have helped."Loose Talking, the Targets are AiTsu! Episode 28 Golden Week Special" (ゆるゆるトーク ターゲットは あい津だ！（仮）第28回 GWスペシャル) (For reference, before Keiji Inafune got involved as action supervisor, in Tsuda's initial GV1 builds Gunvolt couldn't move when using Flashfield,November 8 2014 Q&A with Takuya Aizu and Keiji Inafune at Banpo Art Hall in Banpo-dong, Seocho-gu, Seoul each ground dash consumed energy, four times would be enough to exhaust Gunvolt, and he was left immobilized when exhausted.November 5th 2014 Q&A with Aizu and Inafune to commemorate the GV1 Korean release)
The creation of promotional 3D music videos was Aizu's idea, and done because it was decided during iX 2 development to make the rhythm game GUNVOLT RECORDS Cychronicle.Tokyo Game Show 2023 Day 1 Livestream (4:10:00)
The collaboration with COGEN: Sword of Rewind began when Gemdrops representative Yūichirō Kitao, who respected and wished to learn from Inti Creates, approached Aizu about the subject of 2D action games and they agreed to work together on something. The collaboration was originally going to be with Gunvolt 3 because Kirin and the COGEN protagonist Kohaku Otori are both sword wielding heroines, but this original plan didn't work out due to the delays in Gunvolt 3 development. Gemdrops then learned that iX2 was secretly in development, and the collab was switched to it instead. Gemdrops originally asked to use the Kohaku of Luminous Avenger iX for the COGEN side of the collab due to her name being the same as Kohaku Otori, but then they couldn't agree on how to use her, and some argued they could do something more interesting. Gemdrops' game designer Takashi Imai, a fan of Inti, began secretly working on Copen as the COGEN collab protagonist without telling Inti Creates. Once most of Copen's actions were complete, they surprised Aizu by showing their work on him and asked if it was okay, which Aizu agreed to, and the collaboration began taking shape. This made both of them excited, and they chose to do something no normal developers would do when collaborating; it was decided that COGEN and iX2 would have simultaneous release dates to promote the collaboration. This was a top-down decision, and was done despite knowing the risks like the games competing with each other for sales, and it being impossible for either party to back out and the possibility of any delays becoming a frightening thing.Denfamico interview with Gemdrops staff, part 2 (English translation of collaboration section) Copen was originally just going to be a DLC boss in COGEN, but Gemdrops decided to make him a playable character because they'd already done so much work on him.Nintendo DREAM April 2022 [Magazine] - Interview with Luminous Avenger iX 2 and COGEN: Sword of Rewind sprite graphics designers
For the collaboration with Blaster Master Zero 3, apparently the BMZ director Satoru Nishizawa handled most of the spritework for Jason and his tank Sophia in iX2, while Tai put on the finishing touches. Tai also came up with the idea that Jason based his hover ability in BMZ3 on Copen's.Gunvolt News Channel Episode 37
The owner of the Bloodstained series, ArtPlay Inc., is listed in the game's credits roll in the Special Thanks section and grouped with collaboration boss owning companies at the end of that list, but there isn't known to be any official comment from ArtPlay or Inti Creates about their involvement with the game's development. When former localization director Matt Papa was later questioned about this in a personal stream, he stated he is not at liberty to discuss anything that hasn't been released, and implied a non-disclosure agreement is in place.https://www.twitch.tv/videos/2243686664?t=3h18m58s
When the BMZ3 collab was first teased with a preview of the upcoming info stream, BMZ and Bloodstained series artist Yuji Natsume made extremely negative comments on his personal Twitter account (link withheld for privacy reasons) without naming any names, which appeared to be referencing the upcoming collab. Near its release he made additional negative comments about the idea of the collab, hinted that a collaboration with Bloodstained and appearance by its protagonist Zangetsu had been planned, and was also very critical of that concept. Natsume's lines also mentioned Zangetsu's arm being warped in a strange way, which may imply the encounter would have been inspired by Zangetsu's boss battle in Nightmare Mode in Curse of the Moon. (In that battle, he is corrupted and one of his arms has multiple joints and ends in a large scythe, and one of his skills turns his other arm into a firebreathing dragon skull and tail bones. Also of note is that his defeat in this battle results in his spirit being isekai'd to the Gunvolt world in front of the Sumeragi Group building).
As per tradition, the game was revealed at BitSummit on September 1st 2021, with an extensive trailer, confirming it would release on the 27th of January, 2022.BitSummit Day 1 Livestream A self-published physical version for the PS4 and Nintendo Switch was confirmed the same day for Asian markets, and Inti reassured Western fans that they were in discussions to publish the game physically in Europe and North America as well.Inti Creates Twitter (ENG)
===Localization===
In a first for the series, Luminous Avenger iX 2 has an English dub. While the Gunvolt OVA was the first media to feature a dub, this is the first game to do so. It was announced on December 8th in the Hangin' at Inti HQ 12/8/2021 stream which featured Dacite's English voice actor Connor Colquhoun as a guest, but was leaked a day earlier on the Xbox store page. The voice recording was directed by English localization director Matt Papa along with Diana Garnet, the English voice actress of Lumen.
The concept of an English dub for the games was something Matt had been thinking about and wanted to do since the time iX1 came out, which he said would be a difficult task with Inti Creates working solely out of Japan.ShadowRockZX interview with Matt Papa (46:45) The English dub was made possible thanks in part to COVID-19, which in 2020 caused many voice actors to get set up to work remotely. This made things much better for Inti Creates, but working on the dub was still a challenge for Matt and localization editor Andrew Singleton, who were the company's only in-house localization staff. Checking to make sure everything sounds okay after recording also fell on them due to the company not having any English speaking sound engineers. Garnet was an immense help to them due to her experience.Game Developer interview with Andrew Singleton
==Promotion==
Pre-ordering the physical version also comes with an exclusive illustration of Lola by series illustrator Yoshitaka Hatakeyama.iX2 English Website - Product Pre-ordering the game from select retailers in Japan also bundles it with an exclusive illustration and other bonus items, depending on the retailer in question and version ordered.iX2 Japanese Website - Product
=== September ===
On September 15, Inti Creates showcased a gallery of the main and supporting characters of the game on their first livestream for Luminous Avenger iX 2. Copen was shown first, in his new looks. Lola and Kohaku, both have changed little about their appearance. Null was the last to be shown last, showing her full appearance for the first time. They revealed that on September 29, they will reveal the name of Dacite, along with his VA, Shunsuke Todo.
On September 16, Inti Creates released a menagerie of information regarding Luminous Avenger iX 2. This included: information on the story and setting of the game. A image featuring the silhouette of the main bosses. And lastly the characters profile and images of Copen, Lola, Kohaku, and Null. On September 22, almost a week since they released the information of the game, they released some new information of the game. This included: The Command Prompt and the making of it videos. Gameplay information of Copen's Razor Wheel, his Recoil Dash, his Hyper Guard, and the revamped Bullit Dash system and his Homing shot ability. And lastly, new EX Weapons Copen will acquire after defeating two bosses, Whirling Chopper, which you will gain after beating Vespa,and Cryo-Flash, which you will gain after beating Hail.
On September 29 and 30 respectively, they revealed information on the first boss of the game, Dacite, as well as the stage he is in, Volcano Block. They showcased a variety of his move set as well as his special skill, Armageddon Ray, as well as the EX Weapon Copen will gain from defeating him, Doomsday Charge. They finally revealed the name of the second boss, Vespa as well as the release date for her information, October 13 and 14.
=== October ===
On October 13 and 14 respectively, they released information on the second boss of the game, Vespa, as well as the stage she is in, Jungle Block. They have showcased a variety of her move set as well as her special skill, Stinger Torrent, as well as the EX Weapon Copen will gain from defeating her, Whirling Chopper. 
On October 27 and 28 respectively, Inti Creates released information on the major antagonist, Ypsilon, as well as the stage he first appeared in, Pillar Outskirts. They revealed that Ypsilon will have more moves as more bosses are defeated. They also revealed that Stellar Spark is not the EX Weapon he will have in default but instead have Anchor Nexus from Luminous Avenger iX instead. They revealed the name of the third Gravekeeper, Brigade, and lastly revealed the date of when they revealed the information, November 10 and 11 respectively. 
=== November ===
On November 10 and 11, Inti released information on Brigade, as well as his stage, Industrial Block and his EX weapon gained from him. They also showcased the first time a boss did not use a Haiku before using a SP Skill. After that, they revealed they are going to showcase Kohaku Otori in the next livestream. On November 24 and 25, Inti released information on Kohaku Otori, and revealed gameplay of her own game and her boss fight with Copen. After showcasing her skill sets, they revealed the date for the next Gravekeeper, Autochrome.
=== December ===
On December 8 and 9, Inti released information on Autochrome, as well as his stage, Laboratory Block and his EX weapon gained from him. They also revealed a major update to the English version of the game, they are hiring actors for the English localization for the game. After that, they revealed they are going to showcase Hail in the next livestream. On December 23 and 24, Inti released information on Hail, as well as her stage, Arctic Block and her EX weapon gained from her. After that, they revealed they are going to showcase Ace in the next livestream.
=== January ===
On January 13 and 14, Inti released information on Ace, as well as his stage, Space Block and his EX weapon gained from him. On January 27, the game was released worldwide.
==Version History==
Version	Date 	Details
1.1.1 	Initial release. 	Filled with an immense amount of bugs.
1.1.2 	January 28, 2022 	
*An issue where the saved controller and keyboard configuration would not be properly loaded has been fixed.
*An issue where the saved resolution setting (DISPLAY SETTINGS) would not be properly loaded has been fixed.
1.1.3 	February 2, 2022 	
*An issue where the game would crash when the player touched a movable block under certain circumstances has been fixed.
*An issue where bosses would get stuck off-screen has been fixed.
*An issue where Ace's special attack could cause the game to get stuck has been fixed.
*An issue where a mission could be cleared incorrectly when the player skipped a cut scene under certain circumstances has been fixed.
*An issue where stage music would not play correctly has been fixed.
*An issue where certain attacks from bosses would deal 0 damage has been fixed.
*An issue causing unintended behavior when some boss attacks would destroy stage geometry has been fixed.
*An issue where ice blocks would disappear when off-screen has been fixed.
*Various errors in game text have been corrected.
*Other various improvements and small fixes have also been implemented.
1.1.4 	February 10, 2022	
*Added support for new DLC.
1.2.0 	February 15, 2022	
*Added support for new DLC.
*Changed the behavior of the Bullit Dash to accept left and right input as it ends, bringing it in line with the previous game.
*Updated the visuals for the EX Weapon "Optic Barrier" to match the weapon's hitboxes.
*Adjusted the calculations for results on the "Laboratory Block" mission.
*Fixed an issue where the playable character would pass through stage geometry.
*Fixed an issue where the game would fail to progress when the player died as a boss skill activated.
*Fixed an issue where the background on the "Laboratory Block" stage would not properly fade out.
*Various other issues affecting game stability have been fixed.
1.3.0 	March 2, 2022 	
*Added support for new DLC.
*Adjusted Copen's behavior when dash jumping from a wall to make it less likely for the player to waste their Bullit Dash.
*Adjusted Copen's behavior to allow inputs immediately after starting a Bullit Dash or rebounding.
*Adjusted the positioning of Hail's final drop attack during her "Frigid Stasis" ability.
*Fixed an issue where Vespa's "Dancing Air" attack could cause the game to crash when used immediately after the player died.
*Fixed an issue where DLC boss Jason's "Slide Shot" attack could cause the game to crash when used immediately after the player died.
*Fixed an issue where the Razor Wheel's third attack would not erase shots from DLC boss Jason's "Jump Shot" attack.
*Fixed an issue where Copen would repeatedly take damage from enemy attacks while time was frozen during enemy skill activations.
*Fixed an issue where Copen would take damage from enemy attacks while immobile, such as after defeating a boss.
*Fixed an issue where, when fighting a boss in an area with shutters, the shutters would remain open during the boss fight.
*Fixed an issue where a boss fight would not properly start when fighting a boss in an area without shutters.
*Fixed an issue where the player would earn unintended Kudos when damaging DLC boss Jason or mid-boss "Buster Room" with EX weapons and Colossal Maelstrom.
*Fixed an issue where, when the player canceled Cryo-Flash during Ypsilon's "Prominence Uppercut" attack, Ypsilon would land in mid-air.
*Fixed an issue where Ace would throw boomerangs at different angles during "Twin Meteor Burst" depending on FPS mode setting.
*Fixed unintended behavior that would occur when defeating the final boss with Colossal Maelstrom.
*Adjusted the damage dealt by an enemy projectile appearing in the second half of Arctic Block from 1 damage to 10 damage.
*Various other issues affecting game stability have been fixed.
1.4.0 	March 16, 2022 	
*Added support for new DLC.
*Added an "Assist Mode" option when starting a new game on Hard Mode. In Assist Mode, the player starts with 200 lives, the Healing skill unlocked, and the Medley ability activated.
*Fixed an issue in Ver. 1.3.0 where the game could become locked when time ran out during sequences with a time limit.
*Fixed an issue that would cause a game crash when Ypsilon used a certain ability after the player died.
*Fixed an issue that would cause the player to slip through terrain in certain spots on the "Laboratory Block" and "Arctic Block" missions.
*Fixed an issue that would cause Copen to collide with empty space in some situations.
*Fixed an issue that would cause an unintended amount of Lock-on Razors to be fired when pressing the shoot button rapidly.
*Fixed an issue where a shield-wielding enemy would land in mid-air after getting knocked back with a Recoil Dash in some situations.
*Fixed a display issue with certain backgrounds.
*Fixed a display issue with certain dialogue scenes.
*Fixed errors in the game script in various languages.
*Various other issues affecting game stability have been fixed.
1.4.1 	April 7, 2022 	
*Added support for new DLC.
==Trailers==
===English Trailers===
===Japanese Trailers===
==Cut Content==
*It's possible that the game's enemy faction was originally intended to have their own symbol like those of past factions. On the concept art released online of Brigade's tank, there is a note pointing to the symbol on its side which says "The enemy symbol has been decided so will change this into the shield's symbol." This note was omitted from the slightly updated art included in the Japanese limited edition's guide/art book. It is unknown what symbol was chosen instead of it.
*When iX2 was first announced and demonstrated at Bitsummit, Dacite and Vespa had SP skill chants like the bosses in other games.
*In the game's data, the list of Medium Bosses has eight entries (MBS01~MBS08). While only MBS01 (Wood Golem), MBS02 (Ice Insode), and MBS03 (Buster Room) are in the game, "MBS04" is mentioned multiple times in the exe file with data for basic battle parameters like appearing, battle start, and exploding upon defeat, but unlike the other three it doesn't have any attack names listed.
Brigade concept 2.jpg|Concept art with note.
64 Brigade 2.png|Updated art without it.
Armageddon Ray chant.png|Dacite's chant.
Stinger Torrent chant JP.png|Vespa's chant.
==Trivia==
*While the English title shares Gunvolt Chronicles with its predecessor, the Japanese title omits the corresponding subtitle The Out of Gunvolt, making this the first game in the Gunvolt series to not have "Gunvolt" in its title. Either intentionally or coincidentally, Copen has no "gun" nor "volt", as his gun Divider was replaced with the Razor Wheel, and he lost Stellar Spark and other Azure Striker abilities.
*ArtPlay Inc., the developer of Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night is listed under Special Thanks in the credits alongside other DLC collaboration boss owning companies. This lead to speculation that one of the DLC bosses would be from that game, or that a recently released DLC playable character in Bloodstained would be related, but neither came true. How ArtPlay Inc. is related to iX2 remains a mystery.
**A comment by Bloodstained artist Yuji Natsume on his personal Twitter account (withheld for privacy reasons) hinted that a collaboration with Curse of the Moon and appearance by Zangetsu was planned, but he was very critical of the concept.
**Given how the COGEN collab was switched from Gunvolt 3 to iX2, one of the endings of Bloodstained: Curse of the Moon had Zangetsu be isekai'd to a spot overlooking the Sumeragi Group building, and in GV3 Gunvolt speaks of fighting an opponent like Zangetsu in the past, it is possible a collab boss battle with Zangetsu was originally intended for GV3, and like Kohaku Otori the plan was shifted to iX2 as GV3 was delayed, but in the end it was cancelled for some reason.
*Many characters and story elements are inspired by Mighty No. 9 and the Mega Man Legends series, among other games such as Mega Man X2.
*With a total of six skews at launch (counting the Xbox Series X/S as a single version), iX2 has the largest multi-platform launch in the franchise, surpassing the record set by its predecessor.
*iX2 sets a number of milestones for the franchise, being:
**The first game to launch natively on ninth-generation consoles.
**The first game where enemies and bosses can be visibly cut in half.
**The first game to not prominently feature Adepts (limiting them to mentions and cameos, and a DLC boss).
**The first game where Gunvolt does not make any appearance.
**The first game to not have an Azure Striker as a boss.
**The first game where the player cannot use any electrical ability.
**The first game to include 2D animation as opposed to still illustrations.
**The first game in which the bosses do not have special health bars.
**The first game to not abide by the usual color coded boss pattern.
**The first game to feature English voice acting.
**The first game where none of the bosses have titles.
**The first game where there is no briefing before missions.
**The first game to not have any character popularity poll.
**The first game to not have any official promotional holiday wallpapers.
**The first game to not have any fan discs/drama CDs.
*Both iX2 and COGEN: Sword of Rewind have the same release date.
*The last cutscene image in iX2's true ending is similar to the ending image of Copen's Blaster Master Zero 2 DLC campaign, with Copen standing in front of a portal along with his companion(s) and looking backward.
*Upon entering the hidden teleporter that unlocks the game's Hard Mode, the phrase "YOU ZAP TO..." is displayed. This is likely a reference to The Tower of Druaga, a 1984 arcade game developed and published by Namco, which uses the phrase to announce the player being sent back to an earlier floor of the tower.
*The nature of the disaster that resulted in humanity's extinction in iX2's world is unknown. One speculated possibility is that it was the rampage by Primal Dragon Gunvolt that Moebius foresaw in the climax of Azure Striker Gunvolt 3. If so, the fate of the iX2 world's Gunvolt and the means by which the Creator and Mother survived the rampage are unknown.
**In the intro dialogue to her DLC boss fight, Kirin concludes that iX2's world is one of the Potential Worlds that Moebius attracted.
**Dacite and Hail have defended the Grave Pillar from human intruders in the past, and according to Null the Grave Pillar's original purpose was research into restoring the environment for human life. This may imply that the Grave Pillar was constructed after the disaster, and thus that the disaster caused humanity to die out gradually rather than all at once.
*With the Mother Computer having violet eyes like the main series Lola, her usage of Eden-based attacks, and her special skill Attack Code: S.H.R.E.D., it is likely the iX2 world stems from some version of the main series timeline. Mother's diamond-shaped bits also resemble ones from early Azure Striker Gunvolt 2 concepts where Copen still had his EX Gear.
==References==
==External Links==
* English Site
* Japanese Site
== Navigation ==
===Series Navigation===
===Luminous Avenger iX 2 Navigation===
Category:Games
Category:Luminous Avenger iX 2
Category:Gunvolt Chronicles