Police Quest: SWAT 2 - PC, 18/9/98

Far be it from us to diss the police, because the thin blue line does a great job, but every person we knew from school who joined "the force" fitted a certain character type.

Anyhow, when the Police Quest series started, the games were twee adventures which involved as much soap opera dramatics as "proper" police work.

Police Quest SWAT 2 bears about as much resemblance to those early games - and, indeed, the first SWAT game - as a crab does to an acre of arable soil.

SWAT 2 is the latest game in a developing sub genre of the point and click adventure.

Like Commandos from Eidos, you're given control of a small squad of SWAT officers, or a terrorist cabal, and using stealth and violence, must successfully complete a series of increasingly complex missions.

It's far more fun being a terrorist - you can shoot who you like, and choose not to negotiate. When controlling the police, you've got protocol to follow, which can get a bit tedious.

SWAT 2 is an ugly little game - there's no escaping that fact. There are no fancy 3D graphics, no special lighting effects, and the animation is poor.

However, if you have a mind which enjoys a really tough challenge, you won't find a better game.

Missions will usually need to be played out several times before you complete them flawlessly, and you'll often find yourself painfully vexed. It's not one for the novice by any means - even C and C veterans will find this hard going.

SUMMARY
It's strategy for the strategy fan, but with a bit of a twist.

GENRE
Police SWAT simulation

UPPERS
- 30 missions
- Nice settings - airports, train stations, et al
- Loads of items

DOWNERS
- Tough - some might say "too tough"
- Dull graphics

OVERALL: 78%