Serious Sam II - PC

Platform: PC and Xbox
Company: Croteam
Current status: Full game out in America and Europe
Where to obtain: Your local game shop

The long-awaited sequel to one of the most intense FPS games to show its face on computer monitors, but does it live up to the standards set by the previous two?

Graphics:
The graphics have had a major overhaul since the first two games, they have used an upgraded game engine, known as the Serious Engine 2, and I have to say it's a very visually appealing game. The enemies that have been taken from the old games have had some SERIOUS work done on them to make them look even better, and it has paid off. The new and improved Kleer skeletons are my favourite, they're actually enough to scare me a little now. The areas are a lot larger than before allowing for a lot more mayhem at any given time. Ok, the graphics aren't exactly on par with games like Doom 3 and Fear but they're good enough to at least get you smiling. One problem though seems to be that for the beings that help you it doesn't look like they've been bothered with all that much, more like it's a small set of models with different skins and the same actions.

Sound:
Excels the first two in almost every way, while the music is still similar in effect, letting you know when danger is about and when it's gone, etc. But the most impressive part are the voices, Netrisca, your in-head computer finally has a voice with which to talk to you. It might just be me but she sounds very similar to Sable the Creature Trainer from Black and White 1. All the weapons have had their sounds tweaked to make them sound better, I wouldn't go so far as realistic though. Sam's voice is still the same, a little enhanced but it's the same actor, which is still good. One nice touch that I like is when you pick up temporary power-ups (Serious Damage) you have a small voice say "Serious Damage" in a happy tone, good for a laugh.

Gameplay:
Well, it's the same as the previous games really, you're given a (somewhat pathetic) excuse to go around and shoot everything in sight, it is made easier to bare by the fact you have mini objectives in the game like keep a certain person alive or defend something for so long. It's still more of the same though really, shooting things until you run out of ammo or enemies. They have tried to put a small element of puzzling into some stages as well as the boss battles and to be honest it does work quite well so it's not just your mouse button you'll be wearing down. But overall it's more of the same with a few things put in to make it last longer.

Storyline:
Ack, terrible. Yeah it's a bit better than that of the previous two but the storyline seems to be there more for comic value rather than to tell you what to do, and unfortunatly Netrisca no longer provides you with information on the enemies you kill, only your objectives. But with the storyline the way it is, if there's a path then follow it and kill things, that's how to advance through the game. It's funny, but it's not worth watching the FMVs more than once unless you're in them for the comedy.

In conclusion, this is a very fun game, if you want a no-brainer FPS game where you can cause mindless violence and have fun then this is the perfect game for you. If you're looking for something with a bit more depth then it's better to skip this one.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v95/WerewolfReaper/SSII1.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v95/WerewolfReaper/SSII2.jpg

I hope you found this review helpful and informative.