Publisher: Activision
Size: 1 DVD
Got it for: $39.99, new.
Developer: Gratuitous Games
Xbox.com Section: Yes
No. of players: 1 offline or 12(simultaneously) online
Live Enabled: Yes - Online play and Content Download
Guests: No
System Link: Yes
Hard Drive: 590 Blocks
Custom Soundtrack: No
Dolby Digital: Yes(despite what the back of the box says)
HDTV: 480p
SoF2 was played on my 27" Panasonic SDTV via an S-Video connection.
Like in the first game, you assume the role of John Mullins in an attempt to stop terrorist groups from carrying out their plans. This time, a deadly virus has been unleashed and now threatens the world unless Mullins can find out who is behind it, and stop them. With your partner, agent Taylor and the help of "The Shop"(a covert anti-terrorism organization) you set out to various locations all over the world in search of clues and information that will lead you closer to stopping the madman behind the virus.

What's it all about?
It's a First Person Shooter with an emphasis on pseudo-realism. Missions range from straight out destruction to search and rescue. Along the way you'll run into NPC's(Non-Player Characters) that will help you along the way(most notably, the marines). To add a bit of spice to the familiar FPS gameplay you've become accustomed to, in addition to mowing enemies down on foot you'll also be given the chance to do so from mounted guns on trucks and even helicopters in some levels. Adding to that, there is also an increased amount of story-driven sections where you'll actually be able to walk around in your normal setting while being briefed on missions and such.

I don't know about you, but I don't think that I'd try to chase *anyone* down who had a fucking M60 mounted on their vehicle...
 Graphics - Excellent! This is where the Xbox really excels over the PC/Mac versions of the game. The game's engine and graphics have been optimized for the Xbox's abilities, and sections that would drop the framerate into the teens on a powerful computer run smoothly now, thanks to this. Almost all of the textures have survived the conversion and are only slightly scaled down, at worst, from it. The game seems to run at a constant 30fps most times, and only dips down slightly in areas of high action and/or special effects. As for the maps and enemies, all have such a gritty and realistic look to them that really fits the game's overall mood. As for the gore, though it's been toned down slightly(not censored mind you, but just toned down in sake of a solid framerate) it still looks disturbingly real(just blow some guy's face *halfway* off and you'll see what I mean)...
Sound - Great. For the most part, the music and sound effects have been ripped directly from the PC/Mac version, and there's no real loss in quality from them being played back via the Xbox. The only real issues with the sound are the various bits of in-game speech and the overall quality of audio in the cut scenes. For the in-game speech, it sounds like it has been sped up, not so much that it changes the pitch or tone, just to where it sounds like the people are always in a hurry or something. During the cut scenes, which are of really low video quality to begin with, parts of conversations have a tendency of being overly loud or quiet, or just plain grainy. Finally, for you 5.1 system owners: The game's 5.1 mix is done really well and will actually help you figure out from where those bullets are coming from(especially in the jungle) and where those enemies are hiding out. Though the misprint on the box will tell you it is not in 5.1, the game's official site and your receiver will confirm that it is.
Control - Though there are only two stick configurations(right handed and left handed) and three button layout scheme's, the control is still excellent. For the most part, all three of the button configurations put all the necessary actions right in front of you and come off without delay when activated. Most actions can be performed with a single button/trigger and little use of the digital pad(with the exceptions of leaning around corners and zooming in via the sniper rifle). The digital pad really only sees any heavy use when switching through weaponry. Being able to quickly select your next weapon, or see them all grouped will help you out immensely when you're needing to break out heavier firepower.
AI - Pretty cheap. No matter how quiet you are, no matter how much you sneak around...they always seem to see or hear you. Now, past that, the amount of enemies that actually show up once a fight begins depends on you. Use something amazingly loud, like the shotgun, and you're going to see a LOT of enemies. Try to be a bit quieter about it, and you'll get away with just the group in the immediate area. My only real issue with it is that it seems like throwing a grenade is their answer to everything. They see you - they throw a grenade, they hear you - they throw a grenade. This wouldn't be so bad if the grenades weren't pretty much a guaranteed kill upon explosion....and talk about some arms, these fuckers will pitch a grenade from two clicks down...and make it land *right* next to you. Why they decided on terrorism as a career, I don't know, with an arm like that these guys need to find an agent and get into the majors! As annoying as that can be though, it's important to note that the game's overall difficulty has been *greatly* toned down from the PC/Mac versions; Xbox SoF2 is a *lot* easier, and thus, a lot more fun...

Whippin' ass with the marines.

Dropping in.....BANG....dropping back out...
 Replay value - Extremely high, due to the awesome Random Mission Generator and online modes. The RMG basically takes pieces of maps, puts them together in a very random way, and lets you play your particular mission in them. Once you're done, just choose it again and it'll create another completely new, made up map. Online play gives you a choice of six game mode types(Deathmatch, Capture the Flag, Infiltration, Team Deathmatch, Elimination and Demolition) and about twenty-six maps, *plus* the RMG that will allow you to randomize the online experience as well. Offline you have your choice of four levels of difficulty for the regular, story mode as well as the Random Mission Generator that has four mission types(Infiltration, Assassination, Demolition and Escape) and a virtually unlimited amount of new maps.
Online Play - Finding an online game is simple, as you use the already familiar Live menu consisting of Optimatch, QuickMatch, Create Match, etc. From there you can start your own game(hosting) or determine what the best server to join would be, based on game type, number of players and speed(ping). Some of the online maps are completely new, but most are really just cut up pieces of the single player maps, with some additions. This is particularly nice for those who have run through the single player game as you'll have a pretty good idea of where you are, and what's out there. Online communication is kind of odd with the implementation of the game's "walkie-talkie" feature. For the most part, you have to add players to your channel, from there you can choose to always leave the line open where you can just freely speak, or opt for the "on/off" button click config. For Capture the Flag and other team based games, this is pretty cool but for all out Deathmatch games, it really limits the number of people you can talk to in the game. The only *real* gripe against the online play would be the fact that there are *NO* bots! None. You start a game, you wait for someone for to join in....until then you just walk around....the game will reset anything you find and/or do when the first player joins in(thus making it a fair game, taking away the multiple weapons and armor you may have found during your time alone).
Downloadable Content: A total of five maps came out in 2003. The first two maps were released on 7-21-03, the second two on 8-20-03 and the final map on 9-22-03. For the full schedule, as well as the official description for each new map, click here.

The downloadable content is a little disappointing only because it's...well, not really downloadable content. What it actually is actually, is a patch you download that unlocks the maps that are already on the disc. Each download is 66 blocks(about 1 meg)...why it takes a full meg to unlock these levels, I don't know. Phantasy Star Online's unlockable quests only take a tiny 7 blocks. That's my only real grip with the content, the way it's aquired...but past that, the actual maps rock! Here's a quick rundown based on my time with each of them:

Fighting with the ever-friendly Triad...

Kremenchug Hydroelectric
 1. Kremenchug Hydroelectric: Not a huge level, but with two floors and multiple paths to about every location in it, you can get around really quickly...and so can those who are trying to gun down your ass. Most of the action seems to take place in the center of the plant, where the ever-destructive MM-1 Grenade Launcher and a full chest-plat of armor are seated. Watch yourself though, there's a small room just to the side of there that hosts not only a MSG90A1 Sniper Rifle, but an excellent sniping spot...

Ruins
 2. Ruins: A great, Colombian jungle-like level with lots of grass to crawl through and ample spaces to run for cover in. Most of the super-powered weapons as well as the ammo caches are located in wide open spaces where it's a real risk to to go for them. There's a high path that goes around almost the entire perimeter of the level, making for some nice sniping. The only problem with this otherwise nicely balanced map is the inclusion of the one-hit-killer rocket launcher. Getting this puppy away from someone on this level can be a real chore with all the cover they can run to...

Cheapshot Forest
 3. Cheapshot Forest: A sniper's heaven, and every bit of the Hell the map's title makes it out to be. Those who are completely insane, or just *that* good will enjoy trying to make the mad dash to the enemy's base while being shot at by every fucking opponent up in the trees. This is an excellent map for expert teams to play a good game of Capture the Flag on as it will really test your co-op skills while you either cover your teammates from the trees, or are one of the poor bastards making the dash on the ground. This map is also available for Deathmatch games, which can get seriously heated as it really pits the campers against...well, everyone else. Take my advice, head to the trees...

Oil Rig
 4. Oil Rig: This is a great, multi-leveled map where those who like to snipe can crawl their way around the rooftops and upper levels of the rig and receive a good amount of cover. Alternatively, those that prefer to get up close and personal can do so in the interior without being sniped to death. Be sure to visit the bathroom in the main building; other than the local McDonalds, it's about the only place I can think of that actually has *grenades* on the toilets. Also, quite a bit of good stuff can be found while sneaking around on the window sills, so be sure to explore that from time to time.

Kowloon Market
 5. Kowloon Market: A very complex level with lots of places to take cover and sneak around in. The interior of the buildings consist of tight hallways and corridors that make for some up-close battles(get ready for some pistol whippings and some hardcore knifing), while the streets outside provide a little more room to maneuver. Ambushes can happen regularly on this level as the roof of most buildings, and almost all window sills are easily accessible and make for some easy sniping. All in all, an solid finish to this excellent set of downloadable maps..
Tips for better gaming experiences:
The first, and best tip I can give you is in the form of a link: Halon50's SoF2 Quick 'n' Dirty Single-Player FAQ. This is an excellent, straight to the point FAQ that will get you through *any* problems you may have with the single player game. Not specifically written for the Xbox version, you will have to look past certain PC-only info(patches, game configs, etc), but it shouldn't be a problem and is well worth the time. Also, be *sure* to up the vertical and horizontal sensitivity on the analog pads. Their default settings are entirely too slow, and will give you serious trouble when trying to move the cross hair over what needs to be shot and such.

My rating: 88(out of 100) - A solid, no bullshit FPS with a lot to offer offline and, especially, online. Excellent graphics, some solid control and a heavy helping of gore make this a game you'll want to come back to for quite some time. Points are knocked off for the little, odd things that got changed for no apparent reason(lack of subtitles for most of the enemies who speak in a foreign language, movie footage replacing stuff that was originally done in-game, can't turn off the hit in-accuracy, etc).
Random, hot asian chick says:
Um, it's like....gory and stuff. Who knew a shotgun could do stuff like that!? Why is the blood red? I've never seen red blood, it's always green over here....what kind of wacky world do these people live in!?

The ultra-annoying chopper fight.

Making you proud, Mr. Woo...
 Classified Soldier Info:
For some odd reason, the dev. decided to kill almost 95% of the in-game subtitling, so you miss small bits that added to the overall story(unless, of course, you can understand russian, chinese, etc.). Also, cut scenes that were originally done in-game have now been converted to video...not a newly redone CG of the events, but an actual recording of the in-game cut scene from the PC/Mac versions. I have no idea why they did this...

For some added insight into the making of the game and such, click here for an interview with Chip Burwell, President of Gratuitous Games.
If you're interested in hearing more of a comparison between this version and the Mac/PC versions, click here for my initial thoughts on the game. Originally posted in Alt.Games.Video.Xbox, these were a few of the things I commented on after about six hours with the game. As I've spent a *lot* more time with the game now, you may notice that some of my thoughts and opinions of the game have changed for this review. Also please note that the post is in raw form, just as posted on usenet(expect spelling errors, grammar issues, etc.).

...and finally...

HD Usage(for the obsessive-compulsive in you):
SoF2 takes up a total of 590 blocks, or 9.2 megs roughly, on your Xbox's hard drive. It breaks down like this:

1. 54 auto-saves(at the beginning of each new section, 4 blocks each) - 216 blocks(3.4 megs)
2. Settings - 4 blocks
3. In-game save-anywhere save(there can be multiples if you wish) - 40 blocks(0.6 meg)
4. Downloadable Content: Ruins - 66 Blocks(1.0 meg)
5. Downloadable Content: Kremenchug Hydroelectric - 66 blocks(1.0 meg)
6. Downloadable Content: Cheapshot Forest - 66 Blocks(1.0 meg)
7. Downloadable Content: Oil Rig - 66 Blocks(1.0 meg)
8. Downloadable Content: Kowloon Market - 66 Blocks(1.0 meg)
SoF2 screenshots were borrowed from the excellent Xbox.com and Gamer's Hell