Lets get ready to rumble!! (Power Stone 2 (DC))

Member Name: theunknown

Product:	Power Stone 2 (DC)
Date:	29/05/01 (93 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Great gameplay, Fantastic levels, Take ages to gat everything

Disadvantages: A bit linear, nothing , nothing else

Capcom the masters of beat em ups and survival horrors. Giving the gaming world the high and mighty "Street Fighter " series spanning over a decade and also brought the scariest and devastatingly good "Resident Evil" series and games such as "Dino Crises". So who would of thought that the makers of such serious, dark and gruesome games would make the most bright, colourful beat em up of all times, but don't worry they didn't take out the violence. So with the mixture of bright colourful backgrounds and characters with a dollop of senseless violence what do you get, the best beat em up around "Power Stone 2".

Being a sequel to the highly successful predecessor "Power Stone". The developers needed to give this game something special so it would be remembered, so that's what they did. As in the original the levels are fully interactive allowing you to pick boxes and swing on polls, but instead of the five levels just being a background like in most beat em ups, they move. As time ticks on you progress through the levels, take for example the aeroplane level: you start on the plane beating up your opponent with axes, swords and machine guns, then suddenly the ship begins to brake up and then finally falls apart. You are then sent hurtling towards the ground were you must grab an umbrella or smack into the ground taking some of your energy away, while on the ground you have the perfect opportunity to finish off your opponent.

The game features four modes of different play. One on one: you take on either the computer or a mate and try to escape from power stone island, if you complete this challenge you will get in an extra option so you can teak the game to how you like it. You can also play the original arcade, which pits you against four opponents, which can be a combination of either three-computer opponents or up to three of your mates. The third mode of play is original, this involves
team play were you can choose to play as a team. You can team up with your mates or the computer its up to you.

The final mode of play is adventure were you must collect items and cards which are scattered around the level. When you have collected these items you go into the item shop and mix these items to create new ones for to use in the other modes, e.g. to create the inline skates you must mix the skateboard with the cartwheel, but some aren't as easy as that because if you cross a hamburger and a lead pipe you get a baseball bat (crazy Japanese) . With over one hundred items to find and create it will take you a long time to find them all.

To start off with there is twelve characters, eight from the original and four new. Each character has their own unique fight style, it varies from karate to plan old fists and feet. The real fun kicks in when you collect three of the power stones laying around, the power from the stones make your character super charge into their alter ego which varies from a robot to a pink dinosaur. But when in this form their power is doubled and when you use the shoulder buttons your character does a super move, which you must use at the right time if you are K.O your opponent.

A lot of time and effort has gone into this game and it shows. Their is a vary of modes to keep you and your mates entertained for weeks, with lushes graphics and smooth flowing gameplay which is matched by no other. With a new level system to keep your eye on the game and a range of difficulty levels so if you always have a new challenge awaiting you, the game also has an extensive array of weapons for you to unlock. But the game isn't perfect in one player the game can be a bit linear, and sometimes you are more worried about moving around the level than beating your opponent to a pulp. But it is the best party/beat em up around so get it.

Summary: