Senjô no Ôkami II

This is another of my favorite video games of all time and one of my favorite run and gun games. The game is a sequel to Capcom's previous game "Commando" which I like but it's not my favorite. I personally like this game a lot more because it has a lot more going for it. This game could of easily of been a G. I. Joe video game adaptation, sometimes when I play this game, I pretend I'm one of the joes and fighting cobras; the main character in blue looks like Duke from G. I. Joe.

The plot of the game is basic as you must rescue your president from a terrorist force, yeah like I said basic it' s the kind you probably have seen in plenty of action films, it's really not important by its nature it's just a clothesline for the action your about to see.

The graphical presentation is very good, I really like the looks of the background and how lively they are as your able to destroy property and see property damage, which wasn't common in the run and guns at the time. I really like that effect really enhances the feeling that you really are in a battlefield. Each of the levels are always something different so don't expect the same old run around. But of course, it's the gameplay along with the music that gives this game plenty of ammo.

One of the unique things about this run and gun game is that fact that there can be three players, which was slightly different as most run and guns were always two players. Of course, having three players would be extremely helpful as the odds in this game are stacked against you. The game isn't too hard but not too easy, like with any run and gun you must constantly well run and gun as enemies will come at you from all sides and try to gun you down, so make you're the one that does the gunning down.

The boss battles are also solid, each consist of oversized battle vehicles, and each are a different kind of challenge, their all almost a bit easy to beat if you know the right places to stand and what to do. This is common in these run and gun games, but the real challenge is more in the level, your struggle to get from point a to b.

The character you control fires the standard machine gun weapon but, in the game, you can get some other weapons which each have strengths and weaknesses, like the flame thrower, the wonderful spread shot, and a mini missile launcher. You also have an emergency weapon which where your machine gun is armed with a nuke that just simply destroys everything on screen The other unique thing about the game is that is has a bit of an RPG element. With each weapon you weld you can build up on it' s power depending on how many of the POW blocks you collect. Also, when you complete a level your life bar goes up a little, you can also do this while playing the level as sometime life up blocks show up but only sometimes and in very few places; so, you still need to earn your level ups.

Even like that there are some vehicles to get into, I always love the vehicular assault element in run and guns as it's both to deliver destruction in the automotives but also just simply a change in pace in the combat. You have a jeep that can fire missiles, a speed boat and shoots out torpedoes, and others in different levels.

And of course, there is the music, which is great, this game has some of my favorite personal tracks, they could also be good tracks to listen to when you work out. My favorite tracks are the first, fourth, and sixth level. I even like some of the small tracks mainly the one after completing the level which really is a cool track as it gives you that sense of accomplishment.

This vintage classic is right on target.

Rating: 4 stars.