Direct from the arcades to the Dreamcast, Sega has a sure-fire smash on its hands with this near arcade-quality translation of popular zombie shooter House of the Dead 2. Most fast-action gaming fans will immediately dive into the basic premise of this game: shoot and destroy the zombies that have invaded the creepy haunt known as the Curien Mansion. For what it's worth, however, House of the Dead 2 does contain a pretty intriguing plot that moves beyond the simplistic point-and-shoot genre. In addition to the fast-moving action, there are several subplots that shed light on the darker secrets lurking within this eerie, zombie-infested environment. Gameplay can be set to accommodate several skill levels, including easy, medium, and hard game settings.
Even if you manage to master this game, there are several alternative plot and game paths that will keep you coming back for more. Your shooting patterns and on-screen actions will determine the plot path and gaming areas that you can explore. Skilled shooters and well-trained zombie slayers will be rewarded with secret game areas and unusual plot twists.
By saving the lives of innocent bystanders, you will usually be able to take a shorter path to the end of the game level. In addition, you'll often gain health bonuses that enable you to play longer. If you complete the game without allowing any hostages to die, you'll even unlock a secret bonus room.
A few years ago, Sega disappointed some hardcore fans with its less-than-perfect home translation of the original House of the Dead game. With House of the Dead 2, Sega has fully redeemed itself. The Dreamcast is the only home game system with the processing power to do the arcade game justice--and it shows. We just about drooled over the graphics, which have to be seen to be believed.
The home version even expands beyond the arcade gameplay with exclusive new levels, including a training mode that helps you practice your shooting skills before you enter the game. There are also several never-before-seen secret game areas that were developed exclusively for the Dreamcast.
The only disappointment here is Sega's decision not to include the light gun accessory with this title. You can play with a basic Dreamcast controller, but the game was designed with the light gun in mind. Without a light blaster, it's just not as fun. It's a good thing that third-party companies, such as InterAct, are already offering light guns that are compatible with the Dreamcast. We highly recommend purchasing this separately sold light gun accessory; it makes the game infinitely more enjoyable and, frankly, some of the harder areas of the game are almost impossible to beat without it. --Brett Atwood
Pros:
- Near perfect arcade-to-home translation
- Multiplayer support with a second Dreamcast controller or light gun (sold separately)
- Exclusive levels developed only for the Dreamcast
- Multiple game paths
Cons:
- Gameplay suffers without optional light gun accessory
