The flashing lasers of light denote that a transformation is taking place. Exciting, huh?

The transmogrification from man to beast is a popular filmic device to shock the unwary. Japanese coders Hudson return with the second incarnation of their ‘Jekyll and Hyde’ basher…
Steve Bradley

With the beat ‘em up ring brim full of muscular contenders, developers are always on the look out for a gimmick, a new take on a seemingly tired genre. Undoubtedly, Tekken enjoys lofty greatness in the kingdom of PlayStation, and the Street Fighter series will always have a stout following.

But last year an interesting challenger hopped over the ropes. Hudson of Japan came up with Bloody Roar - a fierce, fresh take on virtual brawling in a dual-fighting scenario, which saw each protagonist in posession of a beastly alter ego, be it rabbit, insect or fearsome werewolf.

And, as is the way of these things, a sequel is already nipping at our heels. Bloody Roar 2: Bringer of the New Age (surely borrowed from an Iron Maiden album?) takes up where the prequel left off, but although it introduces a number of new characters, it hardly represents a bold step. This isn’t to immediately damn the game, however, because you could level the same criticism at Tekken, Toshinden and just about every other sequel on the block.

Anyway, this is how it goes. Eight characters are available for selection from the off, each with the aforementioned animal alter ego. The pugilists begin, not unnaturally, in human guise. However, during the ensuing fracas, with blood and feathers flying, all the while an on-screen ‘Beast’ bar grows. When the letter ‘B’ appears on-screen, if you administer pressure on the circle button, you transform into the beastly alter ego. Then you bloody roar.