Assault Heroes 2 Review for Xbox 360 (X360)

System: X360 (Xbox Live)	Review Rating Legend
Dev: Wanako Studios	1.0 - 1.9 = Avoid	4.0 - 4.4 = Great
Pub: Sierra Online	2.0 - 2.4 = Poor	4.5 - 4.9 = Must Buy
Release: May 14, 2008	2.5 - 2.9 = Average	5.0 = The Best
Players: 1-2	3.0 - 3.4 = Fair
ESRB Rating: Teen	3.5 - 3.9 = Good

Unfortunately, even though the game gets its top-down action working perfectly, AH2 will occasionally throw you a curveball. A few times throughout AH2 you will be forced to abandon all that you know and play some behind-the-ship segments that are just plain awful. You can rarely see what is in front of you, the controls feel awkward, and all of the precision that you are used to is noticeably absent. This makes every second you spend playing one of these levels painful and irritating. Fortunately, even though these levels are incredibly frustrating, they are few and far between.

Assault Heroes 2 screenshot

AH2 is also noticeably longer than its predecessor, giving you thirty levels of frantic shooting joy. Inevitably, you will complete all of these levels and long for more action. Thankfully, AH2 allows for online and offline co-op play for up to two players. Included are Co-op Campaign and Co-op Zone Battle modes, with the only difference between the two being that Zone Battles are just smaller segments from the game's campaign mode. Unfortunately, the multiplayer options here are quite limited. With only a few more options AH2 really could have been a much deeper experience, making it almost a guaranteed purchase for fans of the genre.

AH2 is still one of the best stick-shooters currently available on the Xbox Live Arcade. It takes everything that worked in the first game and makes numerous improvements that help to advance the series. There are some minor problems that keep this game from perfection, but all in all it succeeds at being an excellent follow up to an already great title. With a lengthy ten-hour single player experience, as well as the option for some co-op action, AH2 seems like an amazing bargain at only ten dollars. If you are a fan of the genre or are just looking for an excellent arcade experience, you honestly can't go wrong.

By Adam Brown
CCC Freelance Writer

RATING OUT OF 5

RATING DESCRIPTION

4.0

Graphics
The visuals are notably improved over the original with nice touches like burning trees and tons of destructible objects becoming the icing on the AH2 cake.

3.8

Control
Everything controls well and feels as it should except for the horrific behind-the-ship levels that are incredibly clumsy and unnecessary.

3.5

Music / Sound FX / Voice Acting
AH2 does a decent job in the sound department, and the turkey calling enemies are back in full force.

3.6

Play Value
While much longer than the original, limited multiplayer options really hinder the replayability of this title.

3.7

Overall Rating - Good
Not an average. See Rating legend above for a final score breakdown.

Game Features:

Enhanced Multiplayer Co-op - Quickly activate improved cooperative weapons to rain destruction on hordes of bazooka soldiers, kamikaze bombers, and more.

Hi-jackable Enemy Units - Steal the attack helicopter, armored tank, or mechanical walker from the enemy base for surprise attacks.

More Powerful Weaponry - Utilize a superior arsenal of weapons including the newly designed sub-zero ice cannon, homing missiles, rocket launcher, and upgraded firearms from the original.

Frantic On-Foot Action - Survive on-foot warfare while equipped with all your weapons in expansive underground areas.

Monstrous Bosses - Face-off against challenging mechanoid beasts before they destroy you.

New Diverse and Interactive Environments - Blast through the Snowy Mountains, Rainforest, and Outer Space with extensive destructible terrain from burning trees to shattering buildings.

Screen Resolution: Up to 720p (Standard HDTV, Widescreen).