Hunting Mania 2

If there's ever a game that makes you feel guilty about shooting animals, it's Hunting Mania 2.

Furthermore, if there's ever a game that makes you feel guilty about enjoying shooting animals, it's also Hunting Mania 2.

Every successful shot you take in its 2D shooting gallery is accompanied by captions letting you know, in a rather enthusiastic manner, just how much damage you've done. "Head shot! Install kill!" says one. "Body shot! Critical!" says another.

So joyous is the delivery of this flesh-ripping fiesta that you half expect "Congratulations! The bear you killed was gathering food for its now-doomed orphan cubs!" to pop up at any moment.

Blood and glory

Even if it did, it would still be very hard not to get wrapped up in the whole event. Hunting Mania 2's secret is that it keeps things simple.

As in Hunting Mania, animals walk across the screen in either direction on three or more levels. It's almost like taking shots at a 3D pop-up book: the closer the beasts are to you, the easier they are to hit.

Tapping '5' is enough to fire your weapon, though as the game progresses the animals you're expected to take down get more specific.

Each level comes with a shopping list of targets. Stray from the list and the level comes to a close.

In truth, this is one area where Hunting Mania 2 is found wanting. It's a little harsh, for instance, to be penalised for killing a deer instead of a stag, where nowhere in the game does it make such a distinction plain until the deed is done.

Die another day

Still, with as many retries as you like on offer, such faults don't stain an otherwise enjoyable shooting star.

In particular, the very structure of the game is designed to carry you through any sticky patches. Stellar performances – shooting your targets in quick time, with as few efforts as possible – earn you stars that can then be traded in for upgrades.

This means your arsenal ramps up as you play, as well as your skills. One upgrade, for instance, camouflages you, meaning your targets are less likely to run away if you take a failed shot or two.

However, it's the cheap and cheerful setup of Hunting Mania 2 that really keeps you engaged.

There's very little chance to get bored as one level is replaced by another in quick succession, and though it ultimately offers much the same package as the original release it's hard not to enjoy this short and sharp shooter, even if the guilt ramps up as you do so.