Thoughts by Mr Creosote (21 00 2006) – PC (DOS)
Surprisingly shortly after the release of Crusader: No Remorse, this sequel came out. However, once one actually plays the game, the surprise is gone. No Regret looks the same, plays the same and feels the same as its predecessor. This review will just cover the few differences, for general information about the gameplay, please refer to the review of the first game.
The game starts immediately after the ending of the first part. The Silencer’s escape pod is picked up and he gets to the moon where political prisoners are forced to work in mines. The ores mined there are crucial to the evil government, so one of their most important VIPs is there to oversee the work. It’s now up to the player to free this colony.
After the first part couldn’t really score there, either, No Regret simplifies the game structure even more. There is no ‘home base’ to return to between missions anymore, and also no buying of equipment. Instead, you’re sent straight from mission to mission (ten being available on the whole) and everything you want to use has to be picked up on the way.
Speaking of equipment, there are a few new items. For example, there are ‘Liquifier’ and ‘Crystallizer’ guns which take the already high level of cruelty to new extremes. Instead of just shooting or burning people, these new weapons can literally melt or freeze their targets respectively. All shown in a very graphic way. Decide for yourself whether this is good or bad, but again – the first part isn’t really nice in that respect, either.
In the end, Crusader: No Regret is just as fun as the first part, of course. However, the question remains why this was released as a standalone game. An expansion pack providing these new missions would be done perfectly, and for a smaller price. Then again, the reason is actually obvious from the perspective of the publisher: smaller price = less profit. And it all gets even more obvious once you notice the title printed on the CD is Crusader: No Remorse…
