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The phrase "long-awaited" is applied to many a game, but never so much as to this one. Last Ninja 2 has been put back and delayed more times than anyone cares to mention. The question is, was the end result worth the wait?

Well, quite frankly, no. Both ST and PC versions of Last Ninja 2 aren't much of an improvement over the excellent but ageing C64 original, which is surprising, considering the potential. Graphics are bright, colourful but somewhat grainy and poorly animated, and the screen update is slow and jerky.

Sound on the ST is adequate, consisting of sampled thuds and screams and a rather annoying tune which burbles on during play, and the PC is limited to its usual bleeps. Movement of Armakuni (The Last Ninja himself) is difficult, but then again there are a lot of controls to fit in.

Getting into the game without a decent map is hard to say the least (the one supplied ain't much cop), and it's absolutely soul-destroying to get so far into the game only to be killed off. Last Ninja 2 isn't really bad; it's just that after all this time, you'd expect a heck of a lot better game than this.

If you desperately want Last Ninja 2, take a long, hard look before you part with that crinkly folding paper.

Back with a vengeance? Back with a dull thud, more like. Similar to the ST in most respects, so the same complaints apply.

Best described as overhyped, overdue, and overpriced. Not really worth selling your nunchaku for, considering what could have been done.