DESCRIPTION

Hunter: The Reckoning makes its PlayStation 2 debut as a platform exclusive sequel that introduces a number of features absent from the Xbox original and later GameCube port. While the follow-up still involves fighting zombies, vampires, and demons from a third-person perspective, players now have a choice of five characters instead of four. The storyline picks up two years after the events chronicled in the first game: although the team cleansed the tainted streets of Ashcroft, new reports from a mysterious hunter named Joshua suggest the city is once again in danger from being overrun by dark forces.

Using shotguns, crossbows, flamethrowers, grenade launchers, and other weapons, players must battle over 20 different monster types lurking throughout the game's 28 levels. Perhaps the most notable addition to the gothic series, which is based on White Wolf's pen-and-paper RPG, is the "Hunter Headquarters." This new base of operations lets players switch characters and weapons between levels to better prepare for the horrific missions awaiting them. Furthermore, players can decide which group of levels to tackle next, or even revisit completed stages to build their character's statistics.

As players progress, their character will gradually increase in skill and develop new edge powers from a pool of 15. These powers function in a manner similar to magic spells, and are specific to each hunter based on his or her creed: avenger, defender, martyr, judge, and wayward. Also new to the series is the ability for characters to begin a new game on a different difficulty level without losing accumulated stats. Up to two players can fight the good fight simultaneously in this version, down from four in the original Hunter: The Reckoning on both Xbox and GameCube. ~ Scott Alan Marriott, All Game Guide