A few years ago there were two attempts to take the Bionic Commando property and bring it into the next gen. While the retail version of Bionic Commando failed in many ways the old school downloadable option, Bionic Commando Rearmed, was all that we loved from the original with an HD facelift. Now, straight out of TGS, comes an in-depth look at the newly announced Bionic Commando Rearmed 2.

Much like the original, Rearmed is your standard left to right side scrolling shooter with some added flourishes to spice up gameplay, principal among those being the mechanical arm the protagonist possesses. Allowing players to ascend levels or swing from lamppost to lamppost, the mechanical arm is the major selling point of the entire Bionic Commando franchise. Like a militarized Spider-Man, players can grab objects and hurl them at unsuspecting enemies or even use objects to jettison your hero under low clearance awnings in some sort of futuristic limbo. All of the moves performed by the arm are what make Bionic Commando stand out as not just a retread of the Contra or Metal Slug formula.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j7KQiwHlO3k&feature=player_embedded

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aFbJIzK0tbQ&feature=player_embedded

The animations in the game, similar to the first, are top notch. Explosion effects and character models are exactly what you would expect from a 3D game set within 2D space. Varied locations are the game’s weakest feature as each locale feels more like a different platform arrangement with changed weather conditions rather than a wholly different setting.

If you haven’t played Capcom's Bionic Commando Rearmed I recommend you check it out if only to get yourself acclimated to the level of difficulty you are sure to experience in the sequel. Rearmed, like many of the other 2D side-scrollers of the past, is challenging to say the least. There are going to be times when you feel that progression is impossible but once you find the right combination, moving forward is all the more rewarding.

Any fans of the first game excited for its sequel? Anyone tempted to go back and try out Rearmed after seeing these trailers?

No release date is available for Rearmed 2 as of right now but expect it some time in the first quarter of 2011. If it is anything like its predecessor there is sure to be some fun had by many. Bionic Commando Rearmed 2 is set for an early 2011 release on PSN and XBLA.

Source: Capcom Unity