When I first popped in this new PS2 Hunter, I was sure that I would be disappointed with the quality of the graphics (compared to the old Xbox game). To my surprise, however, everything in the game looked gorgeous. Not only do the characters stand out, but the environments, the cut scenes, and the special FX all took to my eye.

In the sound department, Hunter the Reckoning: Wayward delivers the mood of the first game. Some will say that it's the 'same old, same old'... but why wouldn't you stick with what works? From the sound FX to the upbeat music that signals hordes of enemies about to approach, you'll know exactly when zombies are looking to gnaw off your every limb.

Once again, our heroic Hunters take to the streets of Ashcroft, looking to use their 'gift' of sight in an effort to rid the town of evil. This time around, five Hunters are at your disposal, each with their own special powers and weapons. As with the first game for the Xbox, this new PS2 version will have you combing the streets for countless monstrosities to slay, including the typical zombies, rats, dogs, and occasional (and powerful) boss.

In Hunter the Reckoning: Wayward, Ashcroft and the way you go about your business may look very familiar to you, but there are a few key differences that are notable. First off, as you progress, ALL characters gain experience points, even if you only use one to fight. While the other characters may not gain points as fast, it does make a huge difference. One reason behind this change is that a second player can join your quest at any time. Without this increased experience, your buddy wouldn't stand a chance. And in the same manner, you don't have to stick with your same character throughout the entire game in Wayward. Between levels, you'll be taken to the Hunter's Headquarters. Here you'll always be given the opportunity to switch characters, as well as select a weapon of choice to help you complete the upcoming mission.

The downside of Hunter on PS2 is that once in a while, you will notice things start to slow down. Fortunately, it is brief and not that horrible (read: Tomb Raider). But because of these slight frame rate drops, you can tell that there is a reason Wayward only supports two simultaneous players. It's too bad, because playing Hunter with four players can be a blast. Even with two-player support, however, you will see that Wayward bumps up the difficulty dramatically.

Playing the first game on Xbox, I remember struggling at points, but never found that the game was overly difficult as a whole. This time around, Wayward throws the gauntlet at you. Sure, the first few levels are a breeze, but consider them a warm-up (and experience builder) for the heart of the game. As you progress, you'll certainly find it much harder to complete your missions, especially those that have you escorting a non-playable character around. And if you think that having a second player means Wayward will be twice as easy, think again! As far as I can tell, as soon as a second ally joins, the hit points of the baddies double, making it twice as hard to bring them down. New to the series is an actual difficulty setting too: Easy, Normal, and Nightmare. Take it as you will however, as the intensity described above is only on the Normal setting! Also included is Hunter's three Friendly Fire settings.

I'm still not sure what it is about the Hunter games that make my hands hurt while playing them. Oh, yeah, the controls! Actually, I love the dual-analog control, allowing you to walk/run in one direction and fight in another. (It brings back memories from great hits like Ikari Warriors, Time Soldiers and Robotron!). But something happened when converting from Xbox to PS2. The controls overall don't feel as flush. The shoulder buttons can somehow get confusing in the heat of battle, and switching/selecting your ranged weapons (firearms, grenade launcher, etc.) can be a nightmare if you are used to the 'old' way.

When the dust clears and the zombies are no more, Hunter the Reckoning: Wayward is much like the original. The gameplay is solid, as is the enjoyment. The game does get a bit repetitive, however (even more so if you've already played through the town of Ashcroft on Xbox). If you're into melee combat, then you may want to at least rent Wayward, bring a friend over, and kick some living dead ass. There's just somehow a lot of enjoyment out of racking up hundreds of kills in each mission you partake.