Full Auto 2: Battlelines

There might be nothing we like less about the console launch period than the 'sequel that isn't a sequel'. (Aside from hardware shortages, that is.) Justas Ridge Racer 7 is really Ridge Racer 6.5, Sega's upcoming Full Auto 2 looks like less a true sequel than an upgrade of the original Xbox 360 release. That matters less, of course, if you've never played it.

That's not to say that everything's the same. For one, there's (gasp!) a story, or something vaguely like one. A gentle female voice guides you through the narrative, providing thin justification for the rampant destruction. Is there a twist ending? Who cares, as long as we get to blow up stuff.

And indeed, we do. In that respect, Full Auto 2 appears to be much closer to what we wanted from the original. More of the environment is destructible, with some structures eventually crumbling altogether. There are more traps and big heavy objects to knock loose onto other cars and more secret pathways. Stray fire might dislodge a massive round water tank to crush enemies... and you.