Forget everything you know about "Red Steel," Ubisoft's Nintendo Wii launch title, a FPS that was meant to wow gamers with its guns-'n-swordplay action. Or don't. Because your memories of that sorry experience will only make "Red Steel 2," at best described as a spiritual successor to the original 2006 release, look all that much better by comparison.
The Basics
The story starts out in an appropriately jarring manner. A black screen fades away to reveal that you're looking through the eyes of the protagonist after he's been bound by his hands with a rope tied off at the other end to the back of a motorcycle. The rider guns it and takes off, dragging you along the floor of a rocky, dirt-covered aqueduct. Your tattooed captor has stolen your katana and left you powerless... until the dumbass drives you through a fire, setting your ropes ablaze and giving you access to your trusty six-shooter. One lucky shot, a horrific bike crash and a short altercation later, and you're free in a dusty, future/western landscape, fighting your way through legions of baddies while spending earned cash to improve your skills and tools.
The Highs
Chop-Suey
The swordplay doesn't offer 1:1 movement, even with the required Motion Plus attached, but it is undeniably entertaining, easy to pick up and fun to master. The gradual unlocking of special attacks and counters results in a gentle-yet-entertaining learning curve.
Shop-Suey
Throughout the game, destroying objects, killing bad guys and taking on jobs nets you cash-money. Those funds can be spent on upgrading your katana, buying additional skills and special attacks -- always with an accompanying training sequence -- and pimping out your various firearms. The number and variety of available upgrades unlock gradually, based on your progress. In short, the game is very balanced in this regard.
Dripping With... Style
Visually, "Red Steel 2" is superior to most other Wii games out there. Ubisoft Paris went for a cel-shaded look, which both complements the setting and looks far better than the last game's more "realistic" design (which wasn't very real).
The Lows
This Place Looks Familiar...
While the visual style in "Red Steel 2" is excellent, the actual design of your surroundings... isn't. The scenery changes somewhat as you progress through the game, but the sort-of-open world design feels like it is repeated far too frequently from level to level.
Sword Beats Gun
The sword is easily accessible at any time and it blocks bullets as well as incoming melee attacks. Firing your gun is as simple as a press of the B button... but there's rarely a need to, unless you want to take out an Explosive Red Barrel(TM) from afar. It is so much more stylish -- not to mention entertaining -- to run up and cut your enemies down with a few quick slashes and a deeply satisfying finishing move.
Kill, Rinse, Repeat
If the combat isn't enough to keep you happy, then you'll grow bored very fast. "Red Steel 2" quickly settles into a pattern of "do mission, return to job board, collect more missions, repeat." There are boss battles, an unlockable challenge mode and a few other elements to keep things varied... but your enjoyment of the game will depend entirely on how much you take to the combat mechanics.
The Verdict
"Red Steel 2" is the latest in a string of sequels that have seen a significant improvement over their predecessor. Yes, we're looking at you "Assassin's Creed" and "Mass Effect." Ubisoft's chief success here is in ditching just about everything from the first game, outside of the basic "kill people with swords and guns" concept. If you've been looking for a quality Wii game to get your action fix with, look no further: "Red Steel 2" is here.