As a fan of the original Assault Heroes that was released in December of 2006 over XBLA. So I was interested when I saw they were comming out with a sequel, but didn't know if it would just be a bunch of rehashed stuff. So today when I kicked my 360 I downloaded the demo, and after a bit through the demo I could see they really made a big improvement from the original AH.



Now the original AH had 17 areas to clear in order to beat the game. A quick look at the achievements show there are at the very least, 30 areas...So at first I thought they just shortened areas, and doubled the number...But that doesn't seem to be the case. The areas are actually bigger with even more crazy shit going on...Color me JIMPRESSED (Sorry Sterling, I just love that word now).



The bosses were big before, now they're huge. The action was great, now it is intense. The weapons were great, they expanded on them. It seems to me that Wanako Games took everything that made AH a great experience, and made it bigger, better, faster, more frantic, and more satisfying.



The on foot action that was sort of mediocre in the original is now a very enjoyable part, and they expanded on the 'on foot' levels. There are sections that will require you to go on foot in order to progress now (aside from when your vehicle blows up), so they made the on foot sections as enjoyable as the vehicle sections...

The 'old' on foot underground sections are back. But they give you a closer view of the action, and it is detailed much more than the first. They made the secondary act of on foot action as enjoyable as the gameplay in Rocketman: Axis of Evil (another solid top down shooter)...The thing of it is though, Rocketman:AoE has no other gameplay other than on foot...so the team at Wanako knocked this out of the park.




The vehicles from the first AH is back, but now you can actually use enemy vehicles. So far I've used a Tank, and a Chopper. I have to say it does make a nice change of pace. The vehicles handle slightly different (bigger means wider turns, lower mobility, the Chopper has quick and agile turns, but slightly less powerful shooting). It is a welcome addition and adds quite a bit.

The graphics got a nicely done make over. The original AH was a nice looking game, but it didn't make me think "WOW This looks insane". The file size has been upped (from 48 to 96) and it shows. The details in the enviroments are very well done, and the effect you can have on the enviroment is a nice touch. (Shooting a snow covered tree knocks snow off and the tree will be downed). The on foot underground sections are also nicely detailed, and have some character to it.

I haven't had a chance to play the co-op yet, but it seems to be a major focus this go 'round. I'll make some observations here when I give it a run through online.

I didn't think I would go on as long as I did...But if you enjoyed AH, buy it, don't fret. If you are a fan of top down shooters, buy it, don't worry. Assault Heroes 2 has given me hope for great sequels over XBLA...I've gotten through about 7 or 8 areas so far, so I have plenty left to see...But as for my impression...I'm impressed.