POWERSTONE 2 (DC)
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One part fighter, one part adventure

By WILL BARKER

The first thought that springs to mind when one mentions the word 'fighting game' is a 2D, Streetfighter-style bash-fest. Colourful combos, huge specials and all manner of acrobatic moves fill the screen while two combatants try to second-guess each other. The non-initiated would be hard-pressed to figure out what the smeg is going on, let alone play the game. Nevertheless, to the core group of fighters who worship these games (this reviewer included) it is lore that every nuance of the game be explored, explained and totally mastered.

Capcom has thrown a spanner into a well-oiled machine with the latest Dreamcast title, however, and though many fighting purists may scoff, this innovative piece of coding achieves what many couldn't. They have re-invented the genre with possibly the most active take ever on a fighting game. This game belongs to a new genre - which may or may not be explored in future - that could be named adventure-fighting. Intrigued? Then read on.

There is a plot to PowerStone 2, though it is quite flimsy and as the game is intrinsically based around simply clobbering the crap out of each other, little time is spent thinking about why these things are happening and to what end. The first thing that PS2 brings to the Dreamcast as compared to the original is four new characters. Don't get me wrong, I love extra characters in sequels, but a chef? Well, Gourmand as he is called, isn't all that bad after a few rounds with him. His piece de resistance is a special move where he proceeds to pop out of a huge cooking pot and shoot pigs and chickens at his enemies - complete with appropriate sound effects. Very amusing. They certainly do add a lot more to the game and although they are rather bizarre, I am glad they were included.

Next come the gameplay modes, which include original, basic, arcade and adventure. In the adventure mode you collect money throughout your journey, which can then be spent at the shop. Shop, you say? Yes, this rather neat addition allows you to purchase weapons and other stuff as well as combining items to create über-items. I can say the word item again if you want.

But the most impressive areas of the game, and of course what made the original so good, are the environments. Instead of learning complex quarter-circle moves and up-down combos, there is one attack button. But don't baulk, as the game's environments make this game anything but simple. For example, the twin-submarine level involves players starting off on one of two subs. These temporarily submerge, which means players have to swim over to the other. There are large and small turrets you can man; hover-ships with a payload full of explosives; and missiles that target certain boxes, which can be hurled at enemies. The action is frantic and definitely fun. After a while, the subs come to a stop alongside an icy island and the fight is taken to this slippery environment. This and other levels, including two massive end-bosses, add much to a game with almost unlimited replay value.

There is the multiplayer option that allows one, two, three and four players to go the tonk, whether in teams or alternatively in a free-for-all. Playing with four players is absolutely sensational! It's pure anarchy and there's nothing else like it. This game is in a league of its own, hence the adventure-fighting label I gave it above. PS2 is superb in so many ways it deserves to be played. If you enjoyed the original, you can't go past this. PowerStone 2 rocks!

ORIGINALITY 95%
SOUND/GRAPHICS 90%
PLAYABILITY 90%
ADDICTION 95%
ENJOYMENT 90%