The new alien attack vanguard targets London at first and eventually moves to Tokyo. In light of recent events in The City, the gaming metaphor is a tad ironic. Massive creatures including arachnids and insect invaders such as centipedes and flying ants are on the rampage and only a well armed soldier can stop their assault. Over 140 weapons are available for fending off the beasts including machine guns, rocket propelled grenades, and guided missiles. When the insects explode, they'll erupt into a dust cloud of yellowish debris but when UFOs are taken down, they'll explode into fiery conflagrations that will also destroy any insects that are nearby. Watching a bunch of ants swarm a building is fairly impressive. Destroying the building and watching it crush all of the ants that were once swarming is doubly so.

Battle through 25 thrilling levels on foot but similar to the first game, vehicles such as a tank, a helicopter, and a motorcycle are also available to use as machines of war to beat back the insects.

Also known as The Earth Defense Force 2.

Jan Code: 4527823993174

View the back cover and screenshots on the main NCSX website.

* The first level will hook a gamer immediately with the barrage of big ants as they swarm around the buildings and race towards the player. In addition to a machine gun, players also have a bazooka on hand with which to blow up multiple ants at once. The excitement level builds when the ants press the attack and surround the player. For a wrinkle on playing the first level, step off the bridge and into the water and battle the ants while you're waist deep in the river.

* When an ant that's racing towards you is shot and sent to an early grave, it will crumble right in front of you for an up close view of its massive ant body as it lies there dead. The sight of so many lifeless ants flipping over might make your skin crawl but their bodies disappear after a few seconds. Shooting at ants will also cause their bodies to release floods of yellowish liquid. Ants will also spit yellowish jets at the player.

* As ants are killed and blown up, they'll drop health power-ups, armor, and additional weaponry to pick up. What are they doing with such useful items? The ants attack by biting with their mandibles but a quick gamer may avoid their jaws by running underneath an ant or hiding near a tank or building.

* Aiming in the game is automatic. For example, ants will climb up and down buildings and your gunsight will follow the ant without any need for input from the player. This causes a slight problem when you're trying to target another ant but the action moves so fast that one can shoot the elevated ant and then turn the gun sight on a ground level ant that's about to nibble on your skull.

* To enter a tank or other vehicle, stand next to it and press the "SELECT" button. You'll enter it immediately and become instantly fortified with additional weaponry and a protective shell in the case of the tank. If you ride on one of the mobile motorcycle-like craft, you can still be knocked off of it when an ant pecks it and causes it to explode.

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