The House of the Dead 2

"Best zombie-shootin' action right on your dc"

Sega's lightgun shooters are always a gem to play. Bright, smooth, dazzling graphics, and furious trigger fingers are all but satisfying sounds to the seasoned gunner. Sega brought HOTD1 to the arcades, with stunning graphics and the most single-minded bunch of undeads yet, but HOTD2 offers more challenge, a higher difficulty, faster enemies, and mini-games to enhance your shooting skill.

Gameplay: 8/10

The gameplay is tight, convulsive, and spontaneous- nothing is deprived from the NAOMI arcade version. The undead absorb much more bullets than your average gun game, so aim for the head, or blow their torsoes apart, bone by bone. Several paths have been offered, thank God! That makes for replay value. Innocent bystanders yelp for help, and you must save them from zomb-attack. These also enhance the gaming progress, as it provides fresh chances to improve your aim and reflexes. The enemies are faster, meaner, and come in different varieties. They also tend to sway a lot, making head shots significantly harder. Bosses are also worthy of the game's status, as some, like the reincarnated magician, can be frustratingly hard. Given the newfound difficulty, and better AI, your left with one of the hardest of lightgun games. Because of this, I'm giving the otherwise adrenaline-pumping gameplay, an 8. NOTE- If you have an OFFICIAL DC lightgun, refrain from purchasing the US version of HOTD2. Sega have completely software-disabled the said device- it won't work. I dunno why sega did this, Namco's Guncon is selling okay, and IMO, looks MUCH more like a REAL gun.

Graphics: 9.5/10

Ahh, Sega's ass-kicker when it comes to games. No matter how innovative Namco are, they have never yet come close to Sega's superior graphics. Of course, Namco rule, just see my TC2 review. Anyway, HOTD2's graphics are sweet, texture packed, high-res, detailed, and gory. The attention to zombies are staggering, especially the bosses. Heirophant, in particular, is unique. For this one, sega have added more themes than just zombies and axe-weilding corpses. The last level sees you battling android-esque beings, armed with glowing power blades, so it looks as though the zombs have some techonogy by their side. Goldman certainly looks like G, but with glasses! Level design is second to none- only Ninja Assault beats it. Translucent water, dismal skies, and fitting elements combine to produce the most atmospheric graphics yet.

Audio: 7.8/10

The techo-pop graveyard score varies from fast to slow. Boss music is virtually the same, a bunch of wacky tecno mixes. SE is satisfying, though most of the zombies produce the same gutteral moan. But the real pin in the couch is voice acting. It is the NADIR of drama. The script was no better: 'No more fooling around!' 'I've..been..waiting for you....frrriiends.' 'Hmph hmph hmph hmph (sinister laugh)People of the AMS. I am Gold-Mann.'

Story: 7/10

Not a big improvement. As I've always said, gun games have simple stories. Time Crisis 2's story looks flashy, but that's it. If you want John Grisham or Tom clancy themes, play Metal GEar. Supposedly, a financer called Goldman took over Dr. Curien's experiment from Part 1. He resurrected the Magician, and modified a new army of improved immortals. All the while secretely protecting his ultimate creation- a new leader, with powers in excess of the Magician- Emporer @. Naturally, G and his cronies track him down, but fail. Reinforcements were sent in, 4 fresh AMS agents, James and Gary, Amy and Harry. They find the wounded G and proceed to face a nation of bullet-sponges, armed with only their pathetic 9-mm handgun. With ridiculously low ammo clips.

Replayability: 9/10

The game is HARD- that should keep cocky first-timers from completing it in one go. It needs practice. And practice equals replay. To top it off, there's a stack of mini games, such as boss mode, hostage mode, original mode, and many more unlocked secrets, like free play, costume change, red blood mode, etc. That said, HOTD2 is a must own for DC lightgun fans.

Overall: 9/10

This game proves that your dreamcast is essentially a mini arcade unit. Essential for those who own a lightgun, and more varied than Virtua Cop. I also strongly recommend Confidential Mission, also for DC.

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 06/10/01, Updated 06/10/01