The House of the Dead 2
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This article is about the arcade game. For the 2006 film, see House of the Dead 2 (film).
| The House of the Dead 2 | |
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| Developer(s) | AM1 |
| Publisher(s) | Sega |
| Release date(s) | 1998 |
| Genre(s) | Rail shooter |
| Mode(s) | Single player, multiplayer |
| Platform(s) | Arcade, Microsoft Windows, Sega Dreamcast, Microsoft Xbox |
| Input | Light gun, 1 button |
| Arcade cabinet | Upright |
| Arcade system(s) | Sega NAOMI |
| Arcade display | Raster horizontal orientation |
The House of the Dead 2 is a light gun arcade game with a horror theme and the first sequel to the House of the Dead series of video games, developed by Sega for video arcades in 1998 and later ported to the Sega Dreamcast, Microsoft Windows, and Microsoft Xbox as an unlockable bonus in The House of the Dead III.
The House of the Dead 2 includes auto-reload; when players point their respective guns off-screen, their weapons automatically reload without the need to pull the trigger. It also incorporates a branching path system that allows players to take a variety of different routes leading to the same point in the game's story.
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[edit] Story
In the year 2000, two years after the events of The House of the Dead, the secret international agency, AMS, has launched an investigation concerning the cause of the Curien Mansion incident, in order to prevent the world from experiencing a similar outbreak. Strange occurrences, however, are reported to be taking place in the city of Venice, Italy, the last known location of AMS agent "G," who has gone missing. Agents James Taylor and Gary Stewart are dispatched to investigate, only to discover that the chaos has begun anew...
[edit] Characters
- James Taylor
An agent of the AMS and one of the two main protagonists of the game. James, along with Gary, is sent to investigate the strange happenings within Venice. After battling many undead enemies shambling in the streets and rivers, James discovers that a man named Goldman is responsible for the attack on the city, and vows to take him down. He returns as the main character of The House of the Dead 4.
- Gary Stewart
A young 24-year old agent of the AMS who is one of the two main protagonists of the game. Gary is James' partner during the events of The House of the Dead 2.
- "G"
In 2000, "G" was investigating the activities of Goldman, the CEO of the DBR Corporation, but was ambushed and injured by the zombies that invaded Venice. James and Gary encounter him in a ransacked library, where "G" gives them a report of his investigation, including the details of undead experiments performed by the DBR Corporation.
- Harry Harris
An agent of the AMS, Harry heads the evacuation of Venice during the undead siege. He works with Amy Crystal, and he aids James and Gary during their missions. He is wounded during an encounter with Strength, but provides his fellow agents with information regarding the whereabouts of Goldman's headquarters.
- Amy Crystal
An agent of the AMS, Amy, along with fellow agent Harry Harris, helps to evacuate Venice during the undead siege. She also aids James and Gary during their missions.
- Goldman
The president of the eminent DBR Corporation and an expert on the genome theory, Goldman was the primary financial backer of Dr. Curien's research into the nature of life and death. Disgusted by the greed and selfishness of humans, Goldman attempts to use Curien's research in an attempt to "save the balance of the world." When James and Gary succeed in defeating Goldman's greatest creation, the Emperor, Goldman commits suicide by throwing himself off the fiftieth floor of the Goldman Building, stating, "In time, a successor will come. Farewell, friends."
[edit] Bosses
- Judgment (Type 28)
Judgment consists of two creatures - Kuarl (a 3-meter tall, headless zombie wearing plate armor and carrying a large, bloodstained axe) and Zeal (a tiny, red-skinned, imp-like creature that can fly at incredible speed). While the former of the two is virtually impervious to bullets, it is unintelligent, and requires Zeal's telepathic control to remain active. While they are defeated in their first meeting with the AMS agents, Goldman gives them a second chance and has them stall the arrival of the agents at his headquarters.
- The Hierophant (Type B 05)
An aquatic humanoid with scaly hide and scraggly patches of black hair on its head. This creature carries a large trident and has the ability to breathe underwater, as well as control certain forms of mutated sea life (such as mutant piranhas). The Hierophant possesses a gill-like vital organ in its chest, shielded by a ribcage that periodically opens and closes with each of its movements. This beast headed the assault on Venice's waterways and Central Plaza, and later resurfaced on the bridge in front of the Goldman building.
- The Tower (Type 8000)
Five giant, segmented, worm-like creatures with sharp teeth lining their gaping maws. The Tower is composed of a "Master Head" and four "Slave Heads," the former of which sports a crest of bone in its head, and the latter of which lacked this feature. It is unknown whether they share a hive mind or are independent in terms of intelligence, though the "Master Head" is seemingly able to thrive away from its counterparts. The Tower stalks the Venice sewer system during the undead siege, attacking innocent people that happen upon its lair. An incomplete duplicate of this creature is found in Goldman's laboratory.
- Strength (Type 205)
Strength is a tall, muscular zombie that is appointed by Goldman to kidnap Amy and Harry. It has axes lodged in its right shoulder and carries an enormous chainsaw with the word "Blame" etched on its surface. Strength is left as a "gift" to the AMS agents from Goldman in the colosseum, and chased James and Gary in a labyrinth.
- The Magician (Type 0)
In 2000, Curien's masterpiece, the Magician, is revived by Goldman. This improved model sports heavier armor, increased speed, and devastating variations on its older pyrokinetic attacks. It is a loyal servant of the Emperor, and challenges James and Gary in the courtyard in front of the Goldman Building atop "Pandora's Box."
- The Emperor (Type α)
The result of a top secret experiment by Goldman, the Emperor is designed to "rule, destroy, and hate mankind". As it is in a prototype stage, this creature is not nearly as strong as Goldman would have hoped, but is still powerful enough to fulfil its purpose. It can levitate, and its body is composed of a genetic compound known as the "Emperor Serum," which allows it to reshape its body at will. In turn, it is able to transform its arm into a lance, take the basic forms of other boss monsters, and become a being of pure energy.
[edit] Trivia
- House of the Dead 2 would serve as the springboard for the arcade, Sega Dreamcast, and PC release Typing of the Dead, as well as the inspiration for the Game Boy Advance game, The Pinball of the Dead.
- The flashbacks to the first House of the Dead were recorded using the game's engine. Until shortly before the game's release, the first House of the Dead game was to be offered as a digitally remastered extra after completing the game. However, due to bugs that would have prevented the console version of the game from launching alongside the Dreamcast system, it was removed entirely. This remastering concept was revisited in The House of the Dead III, as The House of the Dead 2 was offered in the Xbox version as a bonus extra. The Xbox version of the game, when selected, gives a bonus area of three stages, where "No Good," "Good," and "Excellent" provide players with additional options (credits, lives, costumes, gun type, multiplied bullet power, clip size increments).
- Near the beginning of the game, Zeal puzzlingly threatens the AMS agents in the form of a question, referencing "G"'s state and posing, "Suffer like G did." This is quickly becoming a new internet catchphrase much like "All Your Base," with its own entry on Urban Dictionary and widespread use on message boards.
[edit] External links
- The House of the Dead 2 entry on the Killer List of Videogames
- The House of the Dead 2 entry at MobyGames
- The House of the Dead 2 Dreamcast review at GameSpot
