Fortunately, it's not what's outside the ring that counts in a wrestling game.
Legends of Wrestling II has once again incorporated its ISP (Intermediate Start Position) system for controlling grapples and other lock-ups. In case you missed it in the original, the ISP system puts your typical button-masher aside, and instead offers a bit more 'technical' wrestling. How this works is very simple. You will initially hit a button to either strike or grapple. Upon a grapple, you'll have the option of performing another series of moves by simply hitting another button. Then, as the Combo/Reversal meter slides by, you'll have only so much time (it varies depending on the move) to hit your button again to perform a combo (if you initiated the move) or to reverse (if you've had the move performed on you).
One of the coolest things about this ISP system is that certain moves can actually be reversed numerous times. For example, one wrestler grabs you from behind. You reverse, and slide to his back, grappling him. Then he reverses and you're in the original position. The key is that with each reversal, the amount of time you have to reverse again gets shortened, eventually ending in a move being performed on the first person that fails to time their reversal perfectly. Because of these little things, Legends of Wrestling II's ISP system makes for very good gameplay.
Another good addition to this year's Legends is the inclusion of over 65 of the greatest wrestlers of all time (well, from 'back in the day' at least). New additions include Andre The Giant, Rowdy Roddy Piper and, believe it or not, the self-proclaimed Inter-Gender Champion, comic Andy Kaufman! Also included in Legends II are 6-and 8-man Tag matches, Ladder and Cage matches, as well as a Battle Royal. Of course, you'll also be able to Create-A-Wrestler and there's lots of stuff to unlock in the game.
Where do you unlock it? Right smack dab in the middle of the heart of Legends of Wrestling II - the Career mode. Although Legends II's story lines don't get as in-depth as fans of wrestling are used to today, it is entertaining to see what your basic career path will be. As you work your way through a career, you'll earn tokens that can then be spent to 'purchase' items and wrestlers that you've unlocked throughout each career.
