If you love challenges, this one?s for you. Desperados 2, the sequel to the Desperados game, is all set to give you a feel of real life murder and mystery. Added features such as 3D graphics and an optional third person perspective make the sequel particularly enjoyable.

In case you haven?t played the original game, you haven?t missed much. Desperados 2 doesn?t really take off on a drastically new note. Instead, in keeping with its original format, gamers can take control of several characters ? with special powers ? and use them to accomplish an assortment of tasks. Much like its original, the sequel too has a western backdrop.

However, the overall mission layout isn?t as impressive as it was in the original version. Also the storyline, told through a series of awkward shots, seems to be a bit confusing.

As far as the plot is concerned, the gamer is made to believe that John Cooper?s brother has been murdered and Cooper is out to nab the culprit and take revenge. Disappointingly, the story doesn?t have a convincing logic justifying the course of events. Instead, somewhere it seems to be kind of incidental.

Also, the game is punctuated with a whole lot of unwarranted diversions. As in the original version, here too, Cooper has a team of eccentric characters to help him overcome the obstacles that he encounters. Though the game is played in real-time, a turn-based strategy would have been more suitable in this case. Shooting a bad guy, for example, requires you to first select Cooper, click on his revolver and then select the enemy you want to shoot.

The main issue with Desperados 2 is that as a real-time strategy game, it?s presumed that you?ll lose. In fact, you end up failing nine times out of 10 before finally being able to figure out how to tackle a critical patch. Unfortunately, it?s not because you are not trying hard enough. Rather, it?s because of the way the game?s designed and its clumsy controls. For example, gunfights need you to pick up your opponents?s loads, which isn?t an easy task, considering the incredibly slow aim-and-target option.

However, most gamers are likely to find Desperadoes 2 to be a visual delight. The 3D images are a major improvement on the original version. You?ll see old, picturesque Spanish forts, dusty towns and more. In terms of sound, Desperados 2?s western themes go with the setting.

Minimum system requirements: OS: Windows 98/ME/2000/XP; processor: Pentium III 1.2 GHz or AMD Athlon 1.2 GHz; video card: GeForce2/ATI 7500 or better with at least 64MB of VRAM; RAM: 256MB; hard drive space: 3 GB minimum hard drive space; sound card: DirectX 9.0 or higher compatible sound card; directX version: 9.0 or higher; CD-ROM: 16X or better; controls: Windows-compatible mouse and keyboard; additionally supported peripherals: USB Gamepad