Shock Troopers: 2nd Squad

If the original Shock Trooper was seemed like a remake of MERCS, then the second one feels like a lot of other games in the genre. What we have here is a great game, one of the best of it's genre, being tugged down by a complete lack of creativity.

But the game isn't exactly uncreative, either. Each of the levels proves to be extremely interactive, and there is always something to shoot at. The game goes through with five levels of excitement. And while the game is your basic run and shoot, it does have a bit more depth than you may think initially. Holding the button down lets you doing a stronger move, and each of the four characters have completely different bullets, guns, and bombs. You really will have to use all four of the character in order to succeed in this game.

The game does fall apart when it comes to originality. However, it is more fun than you may think. The animation is top notch, and I would go as far as to say this is METAL SLUG X with an overhead view. The control is top notch, as well. Out side of the fact that it feels a bit cliche, Shock Troopers 2 is everything you hope a sequel, as well as an action game, should be.

A wonderful game, worth checking out. I hope for a Shock Troopers 3 on a new system ... or even the Neo Geo Pocket Color in Japan.