[BreakABone]

Reminds me, never really put my thoughts together for this.

I will start off where most reviews would end, and just tell you I recommend this game. Whether you buy it or rent it, you need to experience this game. There really is nothing else like it on any console.

A bit more detailed now. First and most important is the gameplay. Now this is a sequel in name only really so any thoughts you have on the original go out the window IMO. The most important change in the gameplay is the fact that the sword and gun gameplay no longer exist outside of each other. In the original, there were only certain "boss" battles which allowed you to use your sword. In this game, you can choose to use your sword or your gun as the situation dictates. And the game works well around this dynamic. Some enemies can be taken out with a well-placed shoot while others will need you to soften them up with your blade.

In addition to that, the game offers up an upgrade system for all your guns and your blade. This allows the combat to feel fresh as you continue to learn new techniques as the game progresses. Some you may find more useful than others. Some of my favorite includes two moves you learn later on which allows you to do an awesome forward dash and quick slash to quickly do away with an enemies' armor. There is also an upgrade that allows you to fire back enemy bullets (though it really isn't as cool as you would imagine)

Guns offer a variety of upgrades including faster reload, bigger clips, ricochet on your bullets, no recoil and many more. Again, it will keep the combat fun and different throughout the course of the game.

Of course, none of this would matter if the enemies weren't anything to write home about. And I will say that the enemy AI isn't the best, some of them will just stand around waiting for you to focus on them, and most of their attacks are pretty much telegraphed giving you more than enough time to counter/block/dodge.

That said, they do give you a fair amount of enemy types which forces you to prioritize and eliminate. The game works more like an action/brawler than an FPS. You may find yourself in a small confined area with a dude with a sledgehammer on your back while two gunners support him in the back of the room. You would prioritize to avoid the sledgehammer wielding foe while you take out the gunners so that you can focus your attention on the giant. While I can not put it into words properly, the game is smart with its combat and its encounter. Making some of them feel like mini-boss battles on their own.

I was a tad disappointed in some of the boss battles, as they really just were enemies with more health aside from the final two bosses, but I beat them without effort. So your miles may vary.

Before I wrap, I must say I really enjoyed the look of the game. Going with a soft cel-shaded look really benefited the game. I won't say this game looks good for a Wii game, I think it looks good in general.

So that's my take on it anyhow.