They say if it ain't broke then don't fix it, and Maximum Impact 2 is the second 3D instalment of the long running and very popular King of Fighters series. Since the original game (KoF '94), the series has produced numerous sequels and now has a player database to rival a football club!

King of Fighters: Maximum Impact 2 offers a range of game modes and twenty-four playable characters to begin with, along with eight different costumes per fighter. The game is a 3D fighter at heart, set in enclosed arenas; find yourself on the receiving end of a combo against a wall and you will quickly find yourself at the beginning of the next round - and not because you just won!

Each character has their own reason why they are fighting, but the overall theme is that long-time Southtown underground ruler, Geese Howard, was driven to death by a mysterious and powerful team called the Mephistopheles (a team that will have you throwing your pad around the room in frustration more than once). This team now run Southtown and everyone else seems to want a piece of them for one reason or another. The great thing about the KoF storyline is that it is long running and references past events, giving you the sense that this is an established series and that you're actually part of its history.

The gameplay has taken a couple of steps in the right direction from the previous version. The 'cheapness' of the fighting has been toned down to a degree, as in the original Maximum Impact, if getting pummelled with a 25 hit combo against a wall isn't bad enough, your opponent had the ability to keep hitting you if you happened to be bouncing on the floor, going from 25 to 35+ hits. This caused major frustration, and was a big flaw in the gameplay. However, with clever engineering in MI2, this is now harder to achieve.

The fighting mechanics of the game work very well, with fore and background movement flowing with the fighting, as well as quick, realistic jumps that don't look like they are taken straight from The Matrix. The series still adopts the 'quarter-circle' method of activating special moves, which will appeal to Street Fighter fans. However, this can get a bit difficult when it comes to carrying out the super special moves or 'DOA Thrashing', as the movement directions can at times be lengthy.

A good addition brought over from the original is the ease of performing 'simple' combos. With a mere tap of a couple of buttons, you can pull off a substantial string of hits, without any directional input, appealing to the newcomers who just want to sit down and kick some ass. Parrying has also been added to the mix; with a simple press of the buttons at a certain time, you can deflect your opponent's attack, leaving them vulnerable for a short period of time. This becomes invaluable when you're up against bosses.

After a few matches you will quickly realise that this is a combination-attack orientated game, which makes the speed of gameplay lightening fast and very action packed. You will find yourself trying out all the various button sequences, looking for that one sweet combo that devastates your opponent! This fast and furious gameplay makes for a satisfying and adrenaline-fuelled experience, and it'll really bring out your competitive streak too. The one downside to the gameplay is that at times some characters can be unbalanced. For example, Billy Kane can beat you from half a screen away, while some characters have a super special move that can literally take half your health bar in one fell swoop. However, on the flipside this can be a great thing to use against your opponent!

Graphically, MI2 is surprising rich and at times looks like it might just be running on a next generation console. The smooth character designs, seamless animation and high impact visuals compliment the gameplay very well, and are without doubt a selling point. Indeed, the opening video at the beginning of the game looks extraordinary, doing a great job of setting the scene for the impressive in-game visuals, which aren't just limited to the characters and their attacks. The fighting arenas are also very well created, with levels that seem to stretch for miles into the distance. With the slight sense of freedom to roam, there is a chance that you won't find a wall to get smashed against for a round or two. The backdrops also have their moment of brilliance, with a dojo-style level, a caged arena and a mansion foyer, amongst many others for your amusement. Even the loading screens look great, sporting fighter artwork that can be fully viewed in the profile mode.

The visuals are coupled with an energising soundtrack that's not too prominent to be distracting, but strong enough to keep the atmosphere pumping as you battle for victory. The sound effects are great too, especially the noises from impact, which help the animations to feel meatier and give you the sense that you are really laying the smack down (or getting the smack down laid on you!)

There are plenty of modes to choose from - Story Battle takes you through the storyline with your chosen character, with the chance to unlock some goodies along the way, while Versus mode is where the multiplayer action is at for taking on a friend, and Challenge mode presents you with a range of mission fights with specific objectives, plus of course the obligatory Survival mode. A Practice mode is also available, while in Profile mode you can view artwork and check out data on the various fighters. There's nothing new or revolutionary here, but it's all good stuff, and there's a wealth of extras to discover, including extra fighters, new costumes, artwork and profiles, just a few of the rewards to be reaped as you work through the game.

King of Fighters: Maximum Impact 2 is an arcade style fighter that will appeal to almost any type of gamer. It's fast-paced, over the top and easy to pick up, but damn difficult to put down. The good looking movie sequences and the dramatic and colourful special move finishers put this a level above many of its peers, with a huge selection of additions and extras to unlock. So if you enjoy having a good old scrap or you're a fan of the KoF series, you really need to crack those knuckles and get ready to put up one helluva fight!

Reviewed by Earl McFarlane for AceGamez (All Rights Reserved).