Assault Heroes 2 (Xbox Live Arcade) Review
Posted by Rod Oracheski on 05.27.2008
One of the best dual-stick shooters not named Geometry Wars gets a sequel!
Just when I was thinking I couldn't take another 'left stick moves, right stick shoots' style game, along comes Assault Heroes 2 to remind me of how fun they can be.
Sequel to 2006's Assault Heroes (though you could probably have guessed that part without being told), Assault Heroes 2 takes the 'bigger and better' approach in every way. You'll get more levels and more guns, along with graphics that are a solid step forward from the original.
The sequel is spread across 30 areas (the original had just 17) with a good variety of terrain types to travel across. While most of the action is in the top-down view of the original, two or three levels switch to a 'behind-the-vehicle' perspective as you move into...well, that would be spoiling some of the story just a bit.
Controls are as tight as ever in the top-down portions. You still need to turn more realistically than in most dual-stick shooters, having to swing your vehicle around to change directions, for example. With a little practice you'll be cutting donuts or figure-eights while blasting away with one of the four weapons. The controls in the 'behind-the-vehicle' perspective are a little less refined, though this is fortunately a very small part of the game.
The original game had three jeep-mounted firearms: machine gun, flak cannon, and flamethrower. This time around you also get an ice-based gun that will damage and even freeze enemies. It's a great addition to the arsenal, with more utility than the flamethrower offers. It's wildly entertaining to do a drive-by on a horde of infantry and turn them all into popsicles, then turn around and drive over them to shatter them all under your wheels.
For those into destroying the environment, you can still blow up, set fire to, or even freeze and shatter, the trees and other objects in the level.
The game follows the same basic setup as the original - fight through a few levels, hit a small boss, keep going and hit a bigger one to end the zone. While you can still drive in your jeep or choose to walk through the levels (there's even an Achievement for fighting on foot) there are also some new vehicles to pick up along the way: helicopter, tank, and mech. It's nice to have some options, but the new vehicles aren't as handy as the basic jeep.
The levels have a good variety to them, and it's nice to see that even in the thick of battle you can pick enemy bullets apart from the background. Good effects for the flamethrower once again, though the ice gun is easily my favourite.
The 411:
With a new gun in your arsenal and almost double the levels, Assault Heroes 2 is a great step forward for the series, and worth checking out for fans of dual-stick shooters. I'm hoping this isn't the last time we'll see those mechanical enemies rear their heads.
Graphics
8.5
More detailed environments than the original. Good character design on the boss mechs.
Gameplay
8.5
The original gameplay is back, though a bit more refined. Pity about those few sections of behind-the-vehicle action though.
Sound
8.0
Good music backing up the action. Solid sound effects for weapons.
Lasting Appeal
8.5
30 levels to play through, plus co-op modes. Good value for your $10.
Fun Factor
8.5
The new weapon is a blast to use. Changes made were for the best.
