Warrior 2 - AEK Commodore 64 game

WARRIOR II: The Enigmatic Psi Warrior Returns

Prepare to rejoin the Psi Warrior, a unique soldier skilled in confronting supernatural and paranormal forces. The legend of his initial mission, recounted in the annals as "Psi Warrior," has already left its mark. Now, it's time for his second mission, code-named "Warrior II," to unfold.

Reports from the RadCom Corps have surfaced, revealing intense psychic phenomena beneath an ancient storehouse in the nuclear wastelands. After meticulous study, you've taken the bold step to investigate. Research indicates that peculiar conditions have reactivated the ancient biological guardian computer, concealed within the bunker's depths. Your mission is to unveil the truth behind this phenomenon and, if possible, unlock the ancient secrets.

However, this mission is far from ordinary. The Biocomp is programmed to guard its secrets zealously, littering your path with countless hazards and traps. Information regarding these traps is scant, so you'll rely on trial and error to navigate through them. One known detail is that each level of the storehouse is protected by a color-coded defense system. Any object of the wrong color crossing levels triggers an alert. Additionally, ethereal entities, black and white ghost-like guardians, patrol the warehouse, ferreting out and neutralizing intruders.

Your arsenal includes a Psi net gun, and you ride a hoverplane, akin to a skateboard, hovering on a cushion of hot air. It zips left and right, accelerating and decelerating, with a speed indicator guiding your progress. But beware, collisions at high speeds damage the hoverplane. As it takes more hits, your speed capabilities dwindle.

The storehouse levels connect through ramps, each harboring various physical hazards—neutron mats that dissolve on contact, ricochet mats that bounce you around, jump mats akin to trampolines, life restore mats that replenish your lives, and one-way mats. Neutron mats pose a challenge as you may need to jump over them to access ramps leading to lower levels. Transitioning between levels is a daunting task, given their distinct colors. To progress from one color to another, you must absorb guardians to manipulate the color bar, ensuring your suit matches the floor color on the next level.

As you descend deeper, you'll discover an enigmatic and perilous world. Your journey is fraught with puzzles to solve and mysteries to uncover, making the lack of explicit instructions an intriguing aspect of the game. The game's visuals and audio maintain the atmospheric brilliance of its predecessor, enhancing your immersive experience.

"Warrior II" is not your run-of-the-mill game and may not appeal to every Commodore owner. Yet, if you enjoyed the original "Psi Warrior," this sequel is a must-try. It's an absorbing journey filled with unique challenges, thanks to its unconventional control method. While it may frustrate at times, it's undeniably captivating.

Presentation: 79% - Sparse instructions, but in-game presentation compensates.
Graphics: 81% - Mysterious backdrops and sprites maintain the game's atmosphere.
Sound: 81% - Superb sound effects contribute to the game's immersive quality.
Hookability: 86% - A slow start due to the lack of information, but captivating once you get going.
Lastability: 89% - Difficult to put down once you're engaged.
Value: 85% - A peculiar game; consider your preferences before purchasing.

Overall: 88% - A must for Psi Warrior fans.