It doesn't perfect motion sensor but it shows the potential for it and vastly improves over the original in every way.
Gameplay, 8. Technically because of the gun wielding you could classify this game as a first-person-shooter, but that would be over simplifying the game. Not only will you be holding guns, the core of the combat will be with your katana. Thanks to the power of motion sensor-plus playing Red Steel 2 actually feels real. The katana actually swings in all directions, there are many moves you can learn in the game that help pace the game and keep things interesting. Also thanks to motion sensor-plus the shooting feels smoother instead of fidgety and annoying like in other FPSs on the Wii. Throughout the game you will be fighting hoards of enemies by yourself and to beat them you will have to utilize all your skills to get by.
As someone who has never cared for motion sensor, especially on FPSs, I was impressed with this game and actually enjoyed playing it. This game proves so much that motion sensor doesn't have to be some gimmick that can never take the place of analog controls.
As good as the gameplay is, it does have it's quirks. There will be frustration at times with the game and there will be mysterious occurrences where you're left wondering "How did that happen?" or "What'd I do wrong?". As I said in the review deck, this game doesn't perfect motion sensor.
Presentation, 9. Red Steel 2's graphics are very good. The detail and character the cel-shaded graphics bring a very atmospheric feel to the game. This game also proves that Wii FPSs don't have to have poor graphics either.
The music is decent enough. You won't have time to listen to it in the heat of battle and there's not much to listen to when you're not in a fight. The sound effects are good enough. The voice acting is horrendous however, almost no personality to their voices and they really do sound like they belong in a kung-fu movie.
Value, 4. This game isn't very long. The story mode should last about ten hours. There isn't much incentive to beat it again on a harder difficulty. There's a challenge mode you could play if you just want to do some quick fighting but it doesn't give much replay value.
PROS
Fun sword and gun slinging gameplay makes for a unique experience.
Great visuals
CONS
Unoriginal story
Borderline laughably bad voice acting.
Fairly short.
For those of you who knocked motion sensor as a gimmick that can never be more fun than analog controls should give Red Steel 2 a stab. I can't imagine this game being improved with analog controls. However, if you do make the decision to buy this game, don't expect a long game, because if there's anything this game shares with conventional FPSs it's its short single-player.