Now that Zack Snyder's film adaptation of Watchmen has found its way to store shelves, the second part of the previously downloadable-only videogame has been released. A marketing choice has resulted in a bargain-priced retail disc containing both episodes of Watchmen: The End is Nigh. If you already downloaded Watchmen: The End is Nigh Part 1 on Xbox Live, this is obviously a bad value for you. But what about newcomers? Here's the deal: if you're not afraid of seeing Alan Moore's universe tampered with, you might appreciate Watchmen: The End is Nigh Parts 1 and 2. Purists, read no further.

Arguably, Watchmen: The End is Nigh Part 1 enjoyed a good four or five months as the most technically impressive Xbox Live Arcade game on the market. Shadow Complex has since taken its place, but that doesn't mean Watchmen: The End is Nigh Parts 1 and 2 is a bad-looking game. Rorschach and Nite Owl II look fantastic, and the fights (imperfect as they are) are fun to watch. Environments don't fare so well, and you'll often find that there's really not that much to look at. For some reason, I found Part 2 a more violent game. Blood splashes on the floor in a way that's almost pretty, and most blows to the face result in years of dental work down the drain. The fighting animations look decent and fluid enough, even though sometimes the character models are often in the wrong positions. I almost forgot to mention that the most brutal counterattack in the film (yes, the one with the elbow) has been completely ripped off here.

Everything I've said about the game's audio in my review of Watchmen: The End is Nigh Part 1 applies to Part 2, because the grand majority of the audio here is identical. The only thing that's new is the dialogue in Part 2. Again, Rorschach and Nite Owl II are expertly voiced by Jackie Earle Haley and Patrick Wilson.

Watchmen: The End is Nigh Parts 1 and 2 consists of two episodes that take place well into Watchmen's past. Costumed heroes haven't yet been outlawed by the Keene Act, although you'll definitely bear witness to the unrest that brought about the law's passing. Part 1 is about a prison breakout that leads into something far more shady (for more details, check out our review of Watchmen: The End is Nigh Part 1). While Part 1's plot could barely stand on its own two legs, Part 2's is borderline blasphemous, but I'll make it as painless as possible. Rorschach comes into the possession of a tape that implies the kidnapping of a young woman named Violet Greene. Rorschach believes that the underaged Greene has been abducted into sex trafficking, so he and Nite Owl II go on a short little quest to save the girl from a life of slavery and immorality. Eventually, they cross paths with the Twilight Lady, a character who is referenced in the original story. The story is completely uninteresting, and the ending clearly panders to those who liked the staggering moral dilemma at the end of the graphic novel. Unfortunately, this ending feels forced and incredibly stupid.

The narrative may fail spectacularly, but the action doesn't. Every broken bone and pulped face feels earned. If you've read the graphic novel or seen the Director's Cut of the film, you'll probably be thrilled that you get to the beat the living hell out of a bunch of Knot Tops. However, once you reach the Twilight Lady's whorehouse, it gets a little uncomfortable. Perhaps I'm leaning too hard on old fashioned chivalric values when I say that you probably won't feel like a good person while you're beating hundreds of women (hostile hooker or no) to within an inch of their lives.

Watchmen: The End is Nigh Parts 1 and 2 contains a handful of moderately challenging enemy encounters, but skilled players can make it through both episodes without perishing a single time. There are no difficulty levels to choose from, but the default setting is well-balanced.

Parts 1 and 2 are both absurdly short. Part 1 clocks in at just under two hours, whereas Part 2 can be completed in just over one. This brings to light what is perhaps the game's biggest flaw. There's absolutely nothing left to do once you beat both episodes. Sure, you can hunt for Achievements, but I have to bring this up again: what's with most of the Achievements being worth 36, 11, and 8 Gamerscore points?

I may have made the grave mistake of playing Watchmen: The End is Nigh Parts 1 and 2 immediately after finishing Batman: Arkham Asylum, but I was still able to appreciate the combat system on its own merits. Light and heavy attacks are respectively mapped to the (X) and (Y) buttons. You'll earn each character's combos over the course of Part 1, and when you start Part 2, you'll have access to all of them from the start. This game doesn't reward simple button-mashing; you won't be able to string any combos together unless you time your attacks just right. Countering is simply a matter of evading (Right Bumper) and following up with a light attack. It's fun and easy to pick up.

As I mentioned in my review of Part 1, you can choose to play as either Rorschach or Nite Owl II. You can participate in some local co-op, although the absence of online play is still an inexplicable omission. The two heroes fight differently from each other; Rorschach fights like a street thug, while Nite Owl II fights like a Luchador -- with an electrified suit. Rorschach can climb drainpipes, while Nite Owl II can make use of a grappling gun (the same kind Rorschach uses in the graphic novel's opening scene). Everything in the environment that is context-sensitive is always flashing. Even if you manage to get lost, holding (Left Bumper) will show you the way.

After all is said and done, Watchmen: The End is Nigh Parts 1 and 2 doesn't feel like a complete package, even at its relatively low price. I can't wholeheartedly recommend a purchase, but some people will enjoy what this game has to offer. Either way, I strongly encourage you to do a little research to make sure it's for you. You can start by checking out the links below.