LET'S PARTY EVERYBODY!!!!! (Power Stone 2 (DC))

Member Name: Vincent

Product:	Power Stone 2 (DC)
Date:	01/08/00 (45 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Great graphics and excellent multiplayer mode

Disadvantages: Too frantic and poor single player mode

One of the launch games for the Dreamcast was the original Power Stone and what a great game that was. Power Stone, developed by Capcom, was the first beat-em-up in a long, long time to breathe new life into the genre. For the first time in a beat-em-up you could freely run around in the stages jumping and grabbing onto poles, hiding behind boxes, use items of scenery for weapons, etc. The game was very, very fun to play although the battle system felt unbalanced with the power stones winning the battle all the time. This time around Capcom have improved everything in the game to ridiculous levels and have also introduced a new 4 player mode.

The new 4 player mode has meant that certain gameplay changes have had to be made. The arenas this time are much larger and have multiple sections to accommodate the number of people on screen at once. For example on the sky level you begin by fighting on a large plane but as the fight gets more hectic the plane explodes and the characters sky dive to the ground below. During the fall you control the characters and attempt to grab the food to replenish health and an umbrella so that you have a safe landing. The fun thing about this part is there are only two umbrellas for the four of you so much fighting results from this. After a set time your characters will hit the ground and the fight continues. Other memorable levels include running away from a boulder akin to the Indian Jones scene and a frantic race to the top of an ancient Japanese building.

As in the previous game collecting three power stones transforms your character into a super strong alter ego. You can maintain this form for a set amount of time and perform screen shattering special moves however this time around there are more than three power stones on screen since there are 4 characters. Capcom have wisely reduced the damage caused by the power stones so that you don't immediately win by obtaining them. This time around much more emphasi
s has been placed on the weapons and all of the levels are filled with them. Rocket launchers, bubble guns, extendo-sticks, bombs, hammers, anything you can think of has been put into the game. If you ain't satisfied with what is on offer there is also a special mode where mixing weapons and items can create totally new ones. Ace.

This game would be very complicated if it wasn't for the excellent control system Capcom have implemented. Only 3 buttons are involved in the game: attack, jump, grab and the analogue or D-pad controlling the movement of your character. After a while you will discover combinations of buttons that trigger wacky new moves.

The graphics in the game are fantastic with huge and brilliantly designed levels although the character models could and should have been touched up since they remain similar to the first outing. In it's favour though new characters have been introduced including Falcon's dad, a chef and a cowboy. Those wacky developers!?! The special moves light up the screen with some earth shattering pyrotechnics although the game does seem to slow down a little bit while these are going on. So the graphics in the game cannot be faulted and likewise the sound is solid although nothing spectacular.

There are a few minor niggles with the game. During the first few games it was too frantic and mad and I just didn?t know what was going on. The single player mode was disappointing with nothing but an interesting Egyptian sub boss to spice things up. During the single player game the computer controls the three other opponents with the last two standing winning the battle and proceeding to the next. The clothing items that you can get during the single player game also adds longevity but not that much. The multi-player mode is fantastic though and if you can get four friends it is a huge laugh and will have you up till the early hours of the morning ensuring longevity with the game.

Capcom h
ave created another fantastic Dreamcast beat-em-up and has once again proved that Sega's machine is the one to own if you want to play fighting games. All that is left to say is.....

WELCOME TO THE POWERSTONE WORLD

Summary: