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This is one game that has been long overdue for a sequel. Forget strategy, this is just mindless fun.

For those who don't recall, Rampage was originally released several years ago. Up to 3 players could play on the arcade machines, each taking the role of one of the humans mutated into Kong-sized monsters, on the rampage. You had to smash buildings and gobble food and other humans to stay alive, and earn points, While avoiding being shot or bombed from the various human forces against you. Each level represented a different city that you were to destroy.

The modern version is very similar, although they've built up the backstore somewhat. The head of Scumlabs is using the accident (?) which mutated the poor victims to test various weapon systems. In between levels you are treated to a pretty female scientist who is monitoring the havok your rampage is reaking in property, people, food, vehicles, etc. Extra points are given here for things like Pig Out bonuses or Local Flavor bonuses.

Unlike the original game, each city is much more recognizable as what it is supposed to be, and the screen scrolls left and right, wrapping around, as well as up. It's possible to scale the Sear's Tower in the Chicago Loop level, or the Chrysler building at New York.

Every so often you ride jumbo jets in a quick bonus round as you continue on a world tour to other countries. Some levels will have hidden flags that allow you to select the country you'll go to next. With 130 level's boasted in the game, you've got your work cut out for you.

Each country has several cities (levels) to go through, and the last of which will have special defenses. Mexico City, complete with pyramids to destroy, is defended by Flying Saucers, while other levels are defended by Giant Robots.

The graphics on most intermediate screens appear to be the ray traced style of Donkey Kong Country, as do those of the 3 main player roles of George (Kong-sized Ape), Lizzy (A ޭKong-sized Godzilla/dinosaur), and Ralph (a wolf man, same size). Most of the rest of the graphics appear to be non-ray traced sprites, but this doesn't affect the game one way or the other.

Players have a lot more moves. You can jump/stomp on buildings, do flying kicks, kick off of buildings, jump, fly sometimes, bounce off of some buildings. There are hidden bonus items in and above the buildings. You do have to be careful what you eat. Some items are not good for you and rather than increasing your health will cause the character to puke. Also some rubble might have hot wires, flames, or smoke coming out of them , blocking your way, and causing damage if you try to pass. It does take time to recognize the graphics as good or bad; sometimes the scale of them makes them hard to notice.

There are unusual power ups in the game; Mega food , Power ups, even specials like Death Breath and Hot Loogie. The whole game is done up in a humorous way. Knock a copter out of the air, and its pilot jettisons. Knock the parachute and the pilot ends up as a stain on the ground. No matter, its still edible. Smashing ambulances usually leaves something edible under a sheet. Watch out if you try to eat priests or nuns. This earns a lightning bolt from above...

Other things await you; Eat some more toxins, and you might overmutate into a flying gargoyle thing... And the demo shows of some levels that take place on the moon!

Two players can play simultaneously, competitively or as a team. Controls are configurable, and setups are saveable, as is the level of which you are in the game.

If you're a fan of either the original arcade machine or were lucky enough to see this version in the arcade you will probably enjoy this version. The gameplay may be a bit tedious or repetitive for newer gamers. However the comic aspects would delight younger ones. (Expand your horizons. Eat someone important)

Graphics: 8.5 out of 10
Sound: 8 out of 10
Gameplay: 9 out of 10
Replay 8 out of 10