Girlfriend of Steel 2/Iron Maiden the 2nd Game
Neon Genesis Evangelion: Girlfriend of Steel 2 (Iron Maiden the 2nd) is a video game released in 2003, the sequel to the first of the series, Girlfriend of Steel/Iron Maiden. Developed by GAINAX and published by Broccoli. A similar visual novel style of gameplay, and despite being the sequel to the first game, it has a completely different storyline.
The game was first released on the PC and Mac in 2003. Released again on PS2 in 2005, with updated graphics and images. Finally it was released as a PSP game in 2009, when the game became available on a portable console.
Girlfriend of Steel 1
Girlfriend of Steel starts in a peaceful time somewhere before the battle with the Angel, Ireul. A new character, Mana Kirishima is transferred to Shinji’s school and the story revolves around Shinji and this new character Mana’s relationship. Similar to the series, with Asuka’s love-hate feelings towards Shinji, Mana provokes a hidden jealousy within Asuka and suspects that Mana is nothing but a spy that has come to trick Shinji into revealing NERVs secrets. The story unfolds with more details on what this new character is.
Setting
Girlfriend of Steel 2 is set not in the timeline of the Evangelion TV anime series, but in an alternate universe seen in Episode 26 of the Evangelion TV series. Shinji Ikari is still the main character and the game consists of living out Shinji’s home, school and local life in a peaceful time in Tokyo-3. The Evangelion Units are still apart of the story as in this version of the story Shinji’s classmates Toji and Kensuke are both Evangelion pilots. However the story is a light-hearted setting with no focus on fighting action compared to the anime series and the first Girlfriend of Steel game.
The plot of the game starts with a new transfer student Rei Ayanami arriving in Shinji’s class. The player meets all of the main Evangelion cast characters. Asuka is Shinji’s childhood friend and neighbour, and Kaworu is not an Angel but a regular boy. The kids then go to the NERV Geofront to see their Evangelions for the first time, however the Evangelion Unit’s have no real role in this game. And the story continues with social activities such as going on dates and hanging out with friends.
Gameplay
Similar to Girlfriend of Steel 1, the sequel is also a visual novel style game, in which the player controls Shinji making simple choices to trigger events in the storyline. From going shopping, going to school, and even going on dates the choices that the player makes will eventuate to one of two possible endings.
The most significant difference between the first installation of the game is that there are elements of a dating sim included in the game. The storyline is set to end with a result in Shinji becoming partners with either Asuka or Rei. The 5th Child Kaworu Nagisa from the series is also said to be a contender as well. Included for all the Shinji x Kaworu fans but is ruled out as an option during the storyline.
Characters
Shinji Ikari (Voiced by Megumi Ogata)
The main character of the TV anime series and Girlfriend of Steel 2 game. Compared to the TV anime series is a more sociable, and upbeat regular 14-year old boy.
Asuka Langley Soryu (Voiced by Yuko Miyamura)
Personality-wise, she has the same traits as the Asuka portrayed in the TV anime series. However, in this story Asuka is Shinji’s childhood friend and neighbour.
Rei Ayanami (Voiced by Megumi Hayashibara)
Completely different to the quiet and introverted Rei Ayanami character in the TV anime series. The story starts with Rei being the new transfer student into Shinji’s class. Bright, bubbly and talkative the Girlfriend of Steel 2 Rei Ayanami is a transformed character.
Kaoru Nagisa (Voiced by Akira Ishida)
Originally the 5th Child and the Angel Tabius in the Evangelion series, Kaworu still has the ‘playboy’ personality and attitude. Kaoru is a supporting character in this game with not as much screen time as Asuka and Rei.
Misato Katsuragi (Voiced by Kotono Mitsuishi)
In the story of Girlfriend of Steel 2, Misato isn’t working at NERV. But instead she is Shinji, Asuka and Rei’s homeroom teacher.
Ritsuko Akagi (Voiced by Yuriko Yamaguchi)
Similar to Misato, Ritsuko too has no part in NERV and is instead in a position fitting to her white coat image. She is now the school nurse at the Shinji, Asuka and Rei’s school.
Endings
Asuka Ending
For players who choose the Asuka ending, the last scene involves Asuka returning to Germany on a boat. Asuka boards a boat after saying her goodbyes to Shinji. However as the boat sets sail she realizes that Shinji is still on the boat with her. The player as Shinji had decided to go to Germany with her.Rei Ayanami Ending
For players who choose the Rei ending, the last scenes include Shinji going on a beach date with Rei and finally eventuating to the pair getting married and having two children.