Well, it's 10 years on now and id Software have released a sequel. Times have changed - 1st person perspective is not the novelty it once was (about half the releases on PC shelves select this particular viewpoint - id Software themselves have released so many of this type of game you could be forgiven for losing count), so does this sequel have what it takes to impress all over again?

Such a feat is impossible to live up to - any game set such a monumental task can only fail, as is the case here. The game is very good in it's own right, it just doesn't change the world. Fortunately, that is not a requirement of computer games, so we won't hold that against it!

Our story begins with our good hero (played by you!) in jail, about to face a rather nasty and electric demise, at the hands of a sadistic (albeit a tad preoccupied) German scientist - mad, of course. Instead (as you may have already guessed), you escape and set about saving the day. There is more to it than that - it turns out you are a super secret agent sort, working for the Allies etc - but there are no real surprises here, the game is all about you going it alone against seemingly insurmountable odds, with lots of cool guns.

Speaking of cool guns - the one you may have already heard about (and would no doubt be one of the first things you would tell someone about, had you already seen it) is the flame thrower. It's been said that "things that are often talked about are things that should be talked about" and this flame thrower certainly proves that old adage; this is one fearsome and spectacular weapon! Not only is it impressively implemented, with amazing graphical prowess and spectacular sound, the physics and down-right destructive power of this thing is a true sight to behold - none survive it, all fear it. Wield it and win.

Fortunately, the flamethrower is not all that impresses when referring to the selection of weapons at our hero's disposal. In fact, nothing could be further from the truth - there are so many weapons to choose from, you may actually forget to use one or two of them at all. Whatever your style of play, chances are you will have the tool to execute it (and lots of Germans) just a key press away. Like sniper rifles? There are 3 of them, each with its pros and cons. Machine guns your thing? 4 of them. Ranging from the m-40 that you receive early in the game (and will dispatch lots of Nazis, rest assured) to the just fill the entire map with lead Venom gun, which is very hard to hang on to and impossible to survive when its pointed at you. Additionally, there are lots of explosives (2 types of grenades, a Rocket Launcher, etc), knives, pistols (even John Woo style twin handgun theory is supported) and much more, just waiting for you to find and start using.

The Germans (and other things - more on that later) that you are shooting at are very detailed - if your computer is up to it, crank up the detail level and be stunned at the beauty of this game. For the first time, filling your sniper scope with the head of the enemy will not cause you to escape the realistic scenario; instead, you will look in awe as the character looks around, adjusts his helmet or scratches his head. This detail in texture quality and animation is backed up by superb AI - these guys (and girls, especially the girls!) are formidable foes; they will duck, fall back for cover and call their friends with tenacity - don't expect to just run around shooting at idiotic enemies. Times have definitely changed since Quake 2!