THE HOUSE OF THE DEAD 2
Released: Jap, US, Europe, Arcade and PC |
The sequel to the popular arcade original House of the Dead and was released on the Dreamcast in 1999.
The story follows on the previous game. Sometime later the mastermind behind the previous Curian Case (The House of The Dead) has revealed himself as Goldman and has a city already under siege by his undead forces.
As a member of the AMS - a special forces unit - you are investigating the disturbances.
The House of the Dead is a traditional rail shooter. You will be taken on a route around as you blast your way through the hordes of undead and they come at you. Some just lunge at you whilst other attack with axes and chainsaws. As you shoot them you can blow parts of their bodies off. Decapitation is also an option is you're a good shot.
The game can be played with both pads and guns together or separately. The best experience is 2 player co-operative with 2 guns.
There are 6 chapters (or levels) to the game. Apart from blasting the zombies you must also save any civilians that are being attacked. A certain number of civilians saved are needed to earn an extra life at the end of the Chapter. Some though will reward you one on the spot. Should you accidentally kill a civilian you loose a life. Sometimes if a zombie kills a civilian your route through the episode may change.
There are 6 chapters to the game.
Chapter 1: A prelude
Chapter 2: Muddy
Chapter 3: Darkness
Chapter 4: Despair
Chapter 5: Dawn
Chapter 6: Original Sin
Each chapter has multiple routes. Which direction you take depends on getting certain objects such as a key and saving civilians or not as some of them give you directions.
At the end of each chapter is a boss creature to defeat. These are the big beasts;Judgement, Heirophant, Tower, Strength, Magician and Emperor.
Arcade mode is a reasonable challenge with the default settings using a gun. With 6 episodes to beat and the increasing difficulty level bosses from previous episodes reappear later on the game has some lastability if you do not cheat.
The arcade mode plays, as the name suggests, like the original arcade. There is a few other play modes in this version. Original Mode plays the game through with the ability to collect items such as more powerful weapons and use them in later games.
Training Mode lets you practice your shooting skills by putting you in scenarios where you have to save civilians. Boss Mode puts you up against each boss in a Time Attack for the best time. Rankings are score boards of the best players.
The House of the Dead 2 has an essential item in anybodies Dreamcast library. Great graphics, great sound (except for the voice acting) and plenty of play modes.
The game was also released on PC and Typing of the Dead was released on PC also.
This game cemented the series as one of Sega's great franchises ensuring it lives on for a long time. House of the Dead 3 released for X Box a time later includes House of the Dead 2 as an unlockable game.
SCREENSHOTS
Arcade Mode |
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CHEATS AND TIPS
One Shot Kills and Unlimited Ammo
Finish the training mode with 5 red star difficulty on each training stage for a nicereward.
Play as Gary in 1-player mode
To play as Gary in the 1 player mode instead of putting the controller into the player 1 slot put the controller into the 2nd controller socket and you can play as Gary instead of James!
Red Blood option
To get the red blood option in House of the Dead 2 you need to beat the game in the original mode. Then after you beat it go back to the options menu. Now there should be the option for blood color.
Unlimited Credit (Original Mode)
For unlimited continues in Original Mode, successfully complete training and boss modes.
Unlock "Emperor" and "Fight All Bosses" Options
To unlock "Emperor" and "Fight All Bosses" options, complete boss mode and obtain a ranking for all bosses.
Related
The House of the Dead Games of the Month Archive (May 2005)
The House of the Dead 2 Games of the Month Archive (October 2004)
The House of the Dead 3 Games of the Month Archive (March 2003)
LINKS
The House of The Dead 2 Sound [MP3]
The House of The Dead Movie - Official Site
Review at IGN
http://uk.ign.com/articles/1999/09/09/house-of-the-dead-2