The House of the Dead 2

I remember going to the movies every Friday night, with one of my friends. We both brought twenty bucks and paid our tickets...but we had ten bucks left after paying them, and these bucks were going straight in the "Insert Coins" hole of the House of The Dead 2 arcade. Every week during months...I've probably spent more than 100 bucks playing that game at the arcades. And then, I was the owner of a Playstation 2 and I had never heard about House of The Dead 3 being released...So, when I learned it, I decided to get rid of my PS2 (and my now-so-boring Vice City game) and to buy an XBOX...and the light gun that makes it so fun. Though the game was discontinued, I made sure to get my hand on a copy of it. And, on House of The Dead 3, you can unlock the whole House of the Dead 2 game. Now, at my home, comfortably, I close the lights, grab my gun and blow zombies to gory chunky bits. I can enjoy what I would describe as "the most arcade-ish game you'll see".

Now, more precisely, for House of The Dead 2, I'd say it's the best of the bunch. The graphics are not up to systems on the market today (XBOX in particular)...they're not smooth, pixels are big...but it gives the game even more qualities: it still feels like a game, it doesn't try to be realistic, it is funny as hell (the two heroes in this game are really cheesy...so is the dialog), it has basic but great lighting effects (that I'm also sure can be bad for the eyes or give bigger than usual chances for epilepsy), the gore is SO amazing...on a single head, there are about four or five different spots that can be shot and blown off. It really makes every killing different and varied, as you'll be amazed by how mutilated the next zombie you'll kill will be. The game also moves so fast, it keeps a very intense and dynamic pace, jumping from a horde of zombies to kill to the next. Plus, the bosses are fun and the training mode is a delight. There are also five levels of difficulty, which contribute to the re-playability. This game is short, though. But in this case, it's better that way. Think about this game as a B-movie you love and you want to sit through quite often, because it's fun. It's a game that you have to play several times...every time you'll sit through this interactive arcade movie with non-stop action, as we could call it, you'll have as much fun as you had in the beginning. Really great game, play two players, with light guns (or at least it would be better) and enjoy the roller-coaster of zombie butchering that House of The Dead 2 has to offer. This is a video game...video games have become so structured and have dull complex stories nowadays...And between the action sequences you'll get in a game, you'll have to fill up or follow an uninteresting story...rent a well written movie or book instead...House of The Dead 2 has no pretention, and offers only pure zombie carnage action while laughing at the concept of "story" in a video game...

Great game...simple, but incredible. Might not please to those who prefer conquest games, or that absolutely never want to reduce themselves to turning off their brain to zero and enjoying a nutty but honest fun.

House of the Dead 2 is a real good, short experience of gaming to play more than once a day. But beware...it gives headaches, because it really is intense...enjoy

9.5 out of ten

As far as light gun shooters go this is one of the better games on any system. The graphics are just plain cool. The backgrounds and environments are a little simple, but the zombies and the way they react to being shot is insane.

The first time I saw this game I couldn't believe my eyes. The sheer amount of enemies, the fast pace, the gruesome look. You won't really notice the bad when you're looking through the sight of a gun blasting down anything that moves trying to stay alive.

The way zombies react to being shot is amazing. You'll have to pump several rounds into the body to kill one, usually blasting a hole clean through them. Even a well placed headshot may not do the trick though, as some zombies will keep coming at you even with half their face blown clean off. Others are armored and armed to the teeth and know how to use tools for protection. It makes it quite interesting.

Story wise however, it fails so hard it hurts. The script and voice acting is just atrocious. One of the worse in video game history. I don't know if it's meant to be some kinda B movie joke, but it's not funny. It's just, plain, awful. Thankfully you can skip it all and save yourself the headache.

Sadly, you can beat it in a single 30 minute sitting or so, but these games are never really all that long. If you can still find it, it's real cheap these days. Great game to play with friends and after Trigun marathons. Well worth the sub $15 range.

• Rirath_com

Rated M for Strong Graphic Violence/Gore.

I have played House Of The Dead 2 in many different arcades.I have not played it recently but I do remember playing it.This was actually the first M-rated game I ever played.THe first M-rated game I owned was Quake 2 when I was nine years old.I played this game when I was seven years old.House Of The Dead was made into a movie.I didn't see it but I hear it sucks.This is the only game in the House Of The Dead trilogy that I have played.If you can find this game then play it.Its an excellent and extremely violent zombie shooter.

9/10

Almost every time I go to my mall I play this game. The graphics are stellar and its fun to butcher up those zombies! I even appreciate the awful acting. Who can forget the famous "Don't come! Don't come!" and "You're the only one who's going to be defeated Magician". I most recently got to stage six. I am expecting Emperor to be the toughtest boss I ever faced in the game. Magician so far cost me about seven life points! This game will also give me practice for the arcade game Crypt killer with amazing creatures and powerups like gatling gun and grenade launcher though that game is hard to find in the arcades these days. If I do find that one that will be my all-time favorite gun game with this game second.

House of the Dead 2 provides good shoot'em up fun. It's on par with Time Crisis but takes place in an X-Files meets B Movie environment. You play as a special agent, armed with only your pistol. A once quiet city as now been infested with zombies, and other undead monsters. Each level contains different enemies so you must take different strategies to beat them. One shot will not kill them either. It usually takes 3 or 4 shots to cripple them before they reach you but they come quick! The game moves very quickly, which keeps the game intense, so you need to keep a sharp eye for aim and special items. Right after you finish off a group of zombies, you'll turn around to see rabid owls swooping at you. You'll also face adrenaline pumping bosses before each scene is through which are pretty challenging.

The game also has different paths you can take. Shooting a key you find on the ground will take you into a different situation which adds to the play value. There are also people in trouble throughout the different levels. Saving them will also alter where you go and give you health at the end of each "act".

The graphics are very detailed, crisp and clean. The story isn't so solid as you're just running around doing a lot of shooting and the voice acting isn't good but it fits. Has the potential to get frustrating at times, especially if you're still getting used to reloading. Worth a buy if you find it real cheap.