Phoenix Games reviews Mercenaries 2

The first "Mercenaries" saw much success with the franchise’s debut on the PS2 and Xbox last generation. Unfortunately the magic that made the original so great is missing from the sequel and the result is an over-the-top cheesy experience. At the start of the game you are able to choose one of three mercenaries that you will control during the campaign (aside from their looks and annoying one liners, they are all essentially the same).

The story itself is a joke. In your first mission, you are hired by a politician to rescue his kidnapped friend. When you manage to complete the mission, your client fails to keep his end of the bargain. In a rather ridiculous cutscene where your client attempts to kill you, your character manages to escape, taking a bullet in the butt. This single event aims to drive the story as your character is set on getting revenge.

The main draw for a game like this lies in its gameplay. What made the first installment so great was how much fun it was to blow things up. The same is true in "Mercenaries 2," but somehow the excitement this time around dies off all too quickly. From brain dead enemy AI to repetitive gameplay mechanics, there is little incentive to keep playing after the first few hours.