The camera system in this game deviates from the original’s fixed Gauntlet-style vantage point and instead is focused more on a dynamic character-driven perspective. You’ll be able to draw the camera in during the intense combat and out during navigation, or at least that is the impression we got. Time will tell if this major gameplay modification will turn out to be a smart move or not. I, for one, am glad that Vivendi Universal isn’t afraid to innovate over the original’s gameplay style, because while the first game may have been highly functional, I’m sure it could be better. The dual control-stick style of gameplay is back in fine form, allowing the player to move and shoot in any direction at the same time.

Redeemer looks to significantly improve over its predecessor by not only showcasing more complex and richer visuals, a user-controlled camera system, and more playable characters, but also by a handful of smaller, less obvious tweaks. For example, the added annoyance of disappearing behind structures during combat in the first game has been rectified with clever use of dynamically transparent buildings and textures. The level of background interaction will be significantly increased, though to what extent is a matter of some speculation since there has yet been no definitive word on the subject. Also, it seems some people complained that the first game was “too hard”. Well cry me a river, zombies are specially made for eating human brains and such, it’s not supposed to be easy. Nevertheless, Redeemer will now sport mid-level save points to “cut down” on having to replay the same portions of a level; yay. Variable difficulty will somehow be enhanced over the first game, but again to what extent is currently unclear.