Genre: Beat-’em-up / Shooter
Developer: Core Design
Publisher: Eidos Interactive
Year: 1999
Platform: Sega Dreamcast
Fighting Force 2 is a beat-’em-up game set in a near-future world where human cloning has become possible but is outlawed. The player controls mercenary Hawk Manson, who is sent on a covert mission to investigate the Knackmiche Corporation, suspected of illegal cloning research. The game features hand-to-hand combat along with weapons-based fighting, combining straightforward beat-’em-up action with an arsenal of firearms and explosives.
The gameplay is linear and repetitive, involving moving through large levels, defeating waves of enemies, and breaking objects to find hidden weapons and health pickups. Despite the abundance of weapons, the combat lacks depth and variety, and the controls are often criticized for being awkward and sluggish. The game includes a first-person mode for aiming firearms, which is a noteworthy addition but does not compensate fully for other shortcomings.
Visually, Fighting Force 2 is regarded as underwhelming for the Dreamcast, with blocky character models and bland, repetitive environments. The textures are simplistic, making many areas feel indistinct and monotonous. Boss fights are relatively easy and lack challenge, contributing to an overall sense of boredom for many players.
