There are just some games that evokes certain pleasant memories that involve a group of friends (classics such as Gauntlet and Rampage come to mind) that made playing the game such a sheer joy.  In keeping with the tradition, Hunter: The Reckoning brought back that same warm and fuzzy feeling that only a good multiplayer action game can bring with the Xbox.  So it was something of a pleasant treat to find Hunter: The Reckoning Redeemer among the line up of sequels.   

Once again the game places you squarely in the seemingly cursed city of Ashcroft where the first game introduced four very different but linked characters who have been chosen to put an end to the supernatural evil that has taken over the city.  The four Hunters, though, are now joined by a new member by the name of Kaylie (who, if you might remember from the first game, was the little girl they saved from her demonic teddy bear).  Ten years have passed since the incidents seen in the first game and Father Esteban, Samantha Alexander, Kassandra Cheyung, Deuce Wyatt and a very grown up Kaylie find themselves back in Ashcroft after hearing about a big corporation has built over the prison that released the evil in the first place.  Suddenly the monsters are back and Ashcroft is once again the center of supernatural evil.

The great news is that all the characters, including the new addition that is Kaylie, are available from the very beginning.  Each character comes with his or her own choice of weapon (firearm) and melee weapon (everything from a battle-axe to a sword) and Hunter abilities the game calls an Edge.  Thanks to these differences, each character feels different during gameplay and thus adds some replay value if you’re playing this one as a single player game.  Each character also fairs better at certain things than others.  For example, Kaylie is great at dispatching foes from a distance but if you want to tear into the mob of monsters from up close Deuce is your man.

You’ll also find some mission objectives to complete along the way such as escorting the President of a major corporation or freeing some innocents from the clutches of a club filled with zombies.  You’ll also be asked to perform certain tasks to move the story along, such as blowing up cemetery or clearing a certain place from werewolves and vampires.  These things just make the game so much more addictive even if you’re satisfied with just slashing through the hordes.

Control-wise the game is a dream, in fact, the controls are the kind you can simply just pick up and start playing without much instruction.  While the game is a hack-and-slash action fare all the way, the Edge abilities, different weapon types and Glyphs (that offer instruction and power ups such as limited invincibility) add plenty of diversity to the action.  You’ll find that the Xbox controller setup is easy to master and changing weapons on the fly is a snap.  So is there anything wrong with this game, you might ask?  Well, for single players this game is just so hard and you’ll often be scratching your head and wondering where to go next since there are no directional hints. 

Want more great news?  Not only can you play this one as a single player game, but you can also play this one with up to three other friends for a total of four characters on the screen at once.  Actually, this game was made to be played with a group of friends seeing as suddenly the slew of bad guys doesn’t feel like an overwhelming mass with a few friends covering your back.  Playing this one online with the Xbox Live would have made the game a real gem, but we can’t complain since you are able to download extras using the Xbox Live service. 

Visually, Ashcroft is just what you might expect a monster-infested cursed city to look like and since this was the look the game’s designers were looking for than it did a hell of a job.  The atmosphere surrounding your characters is both creepy and dangerous-looking and it’s the details in everything that make the place good to look at no matter where you go.  The character models are also nicely done and watching them blast through the hordes of wonderfully designed monsters is a treat.  You’ll love how many things are moving around on the screen at once and the camera is great at giving you all the best angles.  This game also has some great animated cut scenes that really help set the mood just right.

And speaking of setting the mood just right, the sound could have done a better job of complimenting the detailed visuals with the right amount of detailed sound effects.  You won’t find wolves howling in the distance or the sound of the wind passing through the dead trees in the cemetery--you won’t even find the sounds of monsters lurking nearby.  What you will find are the sounds of gunfire that echo loudly and stepping on a Glyph produces this loud swooshing sound.  The character’s voices are done nicely, though, and the music does attempt to match the action and paces itself rather well during moments of calmness.

Hunter: The Reckoning Redeemer is a worthy sequel to a fun game filled to the brim with enjoyable action and a multiplayer option that will have you and your friends happily busy.  Redeemer is also a lot better looking than its predecessor is and thanks to the Xbox Live service, there is downloadable content available (unfortunately there’s no online play).  Get this one if you enjoy a good hack-and-slash with your friends.

Gameplay: 8.5
The game’s controls keep the game the addictive joy that it is and the best part is that it’s also the kind of game first-time players can simply pick up and play.  Each of the five Hunters has his or her own combat personalities that go well beyond the differences of choice of weapons and appearances.  Just about the only thing that holds the game back is the fact that you’ll often find yourself wondering where to go next (there’s no directional hints to lead you on).

Graphics: 8.0
The Reckoning was not a bad looking game when it came out and the plentiful details and visual effects were certainly something to admire.  Redeemer, though, sees a much sharper and more detailed graphics engine that definitely outshines the original in every way.  The screen is literally filled with detailed enemies and environmental details that just bring Ashcroft and all the character to life.  The visual effects are also much more stellar this time around so everything from explosions to monsters evaporating after getting killed looks spectacular.

Sound: 7.5
While the game is something of a visual treat, it’s sad to find that the sound definitely lacks the right touch of detail that would have made this a complete package.  Yet what’s here really isn’t that bad.  The music tries to really pick up when the action intensifies and, for the most part, it does a good job of doing just that.  What could have been handled a bit better is the sound effects, especially when it comes to the monster sounds.  There’s no big distinction between a zombie and a vampire as far as the sound is concerned, but at least the sounds of gunfire are done right.

Difficulty: Hard
You’ll often find yourself in situations where you are literally surrounded by a sea of enemies that possess different attack moves.  While your characters have the advantage of weaponry, the enemy has sheer numbers that can often feel overwhelming if you’re not quick enough.  You’ll also find that there are moments in the game where you stop to wonder where to go next, which is something of a problem since this hesitation might put you in dangerous spots.

Concept: 8.0
Much of what we experience here has been done before with the first game but that’s not really a bad thing considering the fact that the first game did get us to love the hero-versus-mass-of-monsters action Hunter: The Reckoning had offered.  While we get more of the same here, it’s still something of a thrill to punch through the sea of supernatural beings with your guns and melee weapons.  Each character also brings something different to the game so if you’re playing this as a single player game you’ll experience that game a bit more differently.  Kaylie, the new character, is actually an excellent addition to the Hunters.

Multiplayer: 9.0
While many games have already ventured into the realm of co-op multiplayer action fit for four players--and have done it well for the most part--what we get to see in Redeemer isn’t any different but it sure is well-appreciated by those gamers that enjoy a game more when played with more than just one buddy.  Redeemer is best enjoyed as a four-player game and the action just seems so much more exciting when you have three other friends to accompany you through the missions.  Remember those good times at the arcade when friends would join you for long sessions of the multiplayer classic Gauntlet?  Well this is the kind of game that will have you calling some buddies over.

Overall: 8.5
Redeemer is not only an improvement from the first game of the Hunter: The Reckoning series but it’s also an addictive action-packed game that’s highly entertaining.  While the game is great as a single player experience, this one was meant to be played with a group of friends who enjoy a marathon of good old-fashioned slaughter.  Action fans, this game won’t disappoint.