Fighting Force 2

Fighting Force 2 is a beat 'em up/shooter video game, the sequel to 1997's Fighting Force. The game was released for the PlayStation and Dreamcast and was developed by Core Design and published by Eidos Interactive.

Overview
Set in the not-too-distant future, human cloning has become a reality but has been banned by international treaty. The Knackmiche Corporation is suspected of researching cloning, and mercenary Hawk Manson is sent on a covert mission to investigate.

It features hand-to-hand and weapons combat like the original game but does not include multiplayer support. While it includes more weapons and larger levels than its predecessor, the sequel includes only one playable character this time around: Hawk Manson.

Reception
Unlike its predecessor which received some decent reviews, Fighting Force 2 was not very successful, and received mixed reviews on both platforms according to the review aggregation website GameRankings. Blake Fischer of NextGen said in its February 2000 issue that the PlayStation version was "Solid, but ultimately uninspiring. You'll burn out on this game long before you beat it." An issue later, Jeff Lundrigan of the same magazine called the Dreamcast version "The very definition of a two-star game: 'Perhaps competent; certainly uninspired.'"

In one review, Four-Eyed Dragon of GamePro said of the PlayStation version in its February 2000 issue, "Ultimately, Fighting Force 2 is battered by meager controls and lacks the fast action of other games in the same genre. At best, it's worth a rental for those who desire a night of fists-in-your-face gameplay." In another review, the D-Pad Destroyer said that the same console version was "many things but it is not a good sequel to Fighting Force. Those of you looking for one more action/adventure title might want to give this one a look, but only until Syphon Filter 2. Come to think of it, just go play Syphon Filter again. You deserve better than this." Later on, the same author said of the Dreamcast version in one review, "If you really need that action fix on the Dreamcast, you might want to give Fighting Force 2 a look. Otherwise, you most likely just won't have much fun with this game. A little more work might have made this game better, but Fighting Force 2's DC version seems like more of an afterthought." In another review, Jake The Snake said of the same console version in the magazine's April 2000 issue, "Though it delivers some enjoyable mayhem, Fighting Force 2 doesn't offer much to separate it from other Dreamcast titles."

Due to its lackluster sales and a less-than-pleased fanbase, the series eventually ended. A third game was in development, but was cancelled when Core Design closed down.