Sequels are a bit of a knife edge, aren't they? You can use them to cut your bonds and set yourself free from the mistakes of your first outing, or you can use them to give yourself a nasty nick, proving that you're a bit crap with sharp objects.

Nightcaster II follows the former idea, but only just. It is an improvement over the original though, which was one of the weakest titles of the Xbox launch line-up. What kind of gamers were they catering for? Masochists? Nihilists? GameCube owners? Regardless, this sequel follows the same vein of a spellcasting shoot-'em-up, albeit with a few cosmetic improvements.

Your character moves with a bit more zing, but that helps little since the play area is so claustrophobically cramped that you won't see enemies until they're on top of you. This means that, outside of choice of colour-coded spells, there's painfully little strategy to be had. You'll just spend your time firing at things as you run away from them, making you feel less like a hero and more like a harassed celebrity.

The lighting effects are a (ho ho) shade prettier, but count for little since the lack of interaction with the environment will quash any sense of being there that graphical garnish reinforces. It's way below par for an Xbox title.

After this very slight facelift you're left with a bland, repetitive shoot-'em-up with a bunch of colourful spells to muck about with. But even these aren't implemented very well - surely, with the button-happy Xbox pad, there should be some way of implementing a spell switch system that doesn't involve having to cycle through them all each time you want to swap?

Nightcaster II is drab and messy from its box art to its core. Still, it's better than the original, just like having your tooth pulled out is more fun than losing a limb.

1. Some cool spells
2. Two-player mode

1. The definition of repetition
2. Perspective limits play
3. Rubbish enemies
4. Not much fun

Power
Some swish lighting effects dance about the place, but they can do little to save the drab visuals.

Style
Standard swords and sorcery, but complemented with particularly unimaginative enemies.

Immersion
Two-player mode is a little more engrossing but, ultimately, it just doesn't entice in any way.

Lifespan
Dozens of spells, but they won't salvage the game from being the unappealing mess that it is.

Summary
It may have good intentions, but it's still a repeat offender. Dull, unrewarding and just plain unenjoyable.