[Cotterik]

Here's my review of the game that I did for another forum:

Well.. i picked up the game today. Reserved it for rental for PS3 a week earlier because i just knew that i wouldnt have time to play it with GT5: Prologue and GTA IV on pre-order in the next 4 weeks. After this game got alot of last-minute hype and lots and lots of advertising I thought what the hell I may aswell rent it. So I put the game in only to wait about 10 minutes for the 'game data' to install. The menu's are all the same as vegas 1. The only noticeable difference is that you get to customize your character before you start the game. By customize i mean choose sex, and choose between 8 different faces. Thats about it. The clothing and weapon customisation however is a big step from vegas 1.

You're dropped into the story quite quickly and all you really understand is that its 'five years ago' assuming that means before the setting of the first Vegas. Its hard to keep track of whats happening because before you know it, its 'five years later' but the character you played in Vegas 1 is nowhere to be seen. Its hard to really become enticed by the story. Unfortunately gameplay wise nothing has changed. Its all the same. Same setup, same gameplay. Nothing new here. The graphics havent changed a single bit either. Its just in the day time instead now. And instead of being in the casino's all the time its in the back alleys. Which makes me wonder why they felt inclined to keep the franchise stuck in Vegas when they couldve given it a fresh new storyline and name. Anyway.. I was originally told that this game would take attention away from COD4. At this point, I cant see that happening atall. R6V2 doesnt touch COD4 for what it does. COD4 is very very polished and R6V2, i now realise, is R6V with upgrades. They've copied COD4's ranking and upgrade system to give it more depth. Which is fine. But when you do unlock something its hard to have a real sense of achievement in R6V2. You dont have enough time to get used to your original equipment before you're suddenly unlocking new things so nothing has any real importance. This game wouldve been better named as an expansion pack. But since its aimed more at consoles they decided to make it out to be a complete sequel/prequel whatever the storyline makes out. MP is alot better than R6V but the important thing here is that it doesnt take the crown from COD4. What I do like about this game is everything I liked about Vegas 1 which was the cover and command system and the first/third person combo which really does add alot more diversity to combat compared to your usual FPS games. Unfortunately I cant really give Vegas 2 the credit for these points since it was already done in Vegas 1. The upgrades and weapons are a huge step from Vegas 1 but I was expecting a little more from this game. Personally I'm glad i only rented the game and saved my £40.