"It's time to un holster that Virtua Gun once more"

Virtua Cop 2 was the second in the successful arcade lightgun game series to be ported to the Saturn, with the arcade version taking the fast paced lightgun genre to new levels. With the first Virtua Cop game proving to be nothing special on the Saturn, AM2 had a lot to live up to and the pressure was on for them to deliver the goods this time around.

You take on the role of a Patrolman in the VCPD - the Virtua City Police Department - with the sole objective of cleaning up the city streets from a crimewave. Justice is by the bullet here, as a shoot first ask questions later policy is employed as you shoot various criminals with Rifles, Shotguns and Magnums in a wonderfully detailed 3D environment. Powerups - such as the above weapons - can also be stolen from and used against their users at various points and each weapon has unique advantages. The Magnum can fire through certain objects whilst the Rifle can literally blow enemies away with a three round burst.

Enemies are varied and react superbly to being shot - enemies grab their crotch when shot there, whilst a headshot will send them flying head over heels before they flop to the ground. Barrels can be shot up, vehicles destroyed; there is a superb and interactive environment on the streets of Virtua City, and it is wonderful to experience.

The game progresses in a set computer controlled route, with various action set pieces to contend with, including several hostage situations and rock hard end of level bosses. Each of the three levels incorporate several different backdrops from Cruise ships to construction sites to a Subway station, and each area has a couple of alternate routes you can take - which goes some way towards overcoming the argument that the game is too linear. AM2 have incorporated splendidly the fast and frantic action of the arcade game, and - especially on two player - it is a pleasure to play.

You will need to use the Lightgun for this game, not just because it makes the experience all the more authentic and much closer to the arcade original, but also because the Saturn Controller is pants at targeting, and it makes the game very frustrating as it takes too long for the cursor to move across the screen.

Visually speaking this game is exceptional, with some luscious graphics and detailed environments on offer. AM2 always goes to town on the graphics of their games and this game is no different.

The Gameplay, despite being a lot of fun can get dull and repetitive after a while which is mainly the problem with games of these type. When playing Co-Operatively, this game can go some way to alleviating these problems but on your own - especially with only 3 levels it can sometimes get very old very fast. Each level however is lengthy, difficult and a challenge to play through and no arcade port would be complete without the opportunity to improve on those high scores and gain better rankings. It is however disappointing that no real effort was made to develop some new game modes to play, as this was always a game where the lack of any real lastability was surely going to be a problem.

Virtua Cop 2 Is stunning to look, great fun to play and really comes into its own in its two player mode, but its lack of variety, repetitive gameplay and lack of depth really count against this and expose this as a great port, but an above average game which isn't quite a must have - however it is by far the best Lightgun game on the Saturn.

Reviewer's Score: 8/10, Originally Posted: 08/19/05