SHOOT 2 By Rikus Kras

GAME TYPE: 
SHOOT-EM-UP
PLAYERS: ONE
DIFFICULTY: VERY HARD
TARGET: STOP THE EVIL GROP
ALIENS FROM DESTROYING EARTH.
SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS:
MIMIMUM: 486 DX2 WITH
8 MEGS RAM
RECOMMENDED AT LEAST
P90 WITH 8/16 MEGS RAM
SOUND CARD OPTIONAL
Shoot 2 is the sequel to Rikus Kras' original Shoot game, which involved flying around and
shooting everything in sight. This game is no exception.
The aim of the game is simple: Aliens have are trying to attack Earth and it's up to your
character (called either John or Jack...it alternates throughout the game!) to pilot a raytraced spaceship to the alien homeworld, while picking off all enemies along the way.
The levels are varied and the graphics in these consist mainly of clipart Strangely, for the aliens on foot, Rikus has decided to use an Army Soldier sprite which causes confusion at first.. Some sprites are obviously drawn by Rikus, however.
The graphics, in general, are varied in quality. There is, like many of Rikus' games, quite a lot
of Europress Clipart used. However, the main ship was made and computer-rendered by Rikus and looks very nice in the cut-scenes, which feature multiple camera angles as John/Jack zooms off on his mission. The cut-scenes with characters featured are drawn in a "cartoon style" and are fairly well animated. On the whole though, the sprites are rather blocky and sketchy.
The game features a variety of shoot-em-up styles which is refreshing, but just as you master
one control method, you're thrown straight in at the deep end with a new style to perfect!
The levels themselves start off well but soon everything becomes very hectic onscreen as
levels are quickly filled with many ships (sometimes in double figures!) and most of them fire a weapon, meaning that you are jammed between alien craft, obstacles in your path and bullets flying all over the screen! This can get very annoying as lives are lost incredibly quickly and are so precious. The same is true if a bad guy collides with your ship, as you are dragged along with the baddie as it moves, losing energy all the time. The difference in difficulty between each level is staggering, too, and there isn't much of a learning curve. Level 2 is almost impossible to beat and is extremely frustrating. One hit and you're back to the start of the level again. One oddity is that Level 3 is easier than Level 2!
As far as music is concerned, again there is almost a "lucky dip" of quality. Some of the songs
are excellent (Level 1's tune is perfect, and home-made), but quite a chunk of the midis have been "borrowed" from other sources and seem very out of place in relation to the game.
The game plays quite well but sometimes the craft doesn't feel responsive enough, or
sometimes feels too responsive, or is actually pushed by the bottom of the screen while scrolling, knocking you off guard or into a bad guy. It is also impossible to work out strategies for the levels (except level 2 which is dodging rocks) as the levels are just too busy and extremely difficult to move around.
The thing about Shoot 2 is, no matter how frustrating it can be, you always find yourself
coming back for another crack at the aliens. Despite all it's flaws, the game is fun to play and will keep you entertained for a while. Not one to play if you're already stressed, though. : ) 

GRAPHICS

89%

 Nice graphics for your spaceship.

Some art is quite sketchy.

MUSIC

83%

 Some of the in-game music is excellent.

Some of it isn't.

SFX

80%

 The usual mix of bangs and explosions associated with shoot-em-ups.

GAMEPLAY

73%

 Your ship usually handles well.

Sometimes, between levels and without warning, the control method changes, throwing you off guard.

LASTABILITY

72%

 The game is fun to play.

Some levels can be very frustrating.

OVERALL

79%

 Overall, a fun game that is a bit too frustrating for its own good.
Shoot 2 will be available soon at Rikus Kras' Shoot 2 Page
If you want the game now, advanced copies can be obtained by e-mailing Rikus
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