We go deep under to check out the latest preview code of Aquanox 2.

JoWooD are set to shock us once again as we check out the latest preview code of Aquanox 2, complete with a new graphics engine, new enemies and an encompassing storyline.<br><br>As with the original game Aquanox 2 is simply gorgeous, running on a GeForce 3 or 4 you’ll be sucked into a world that will leave you dazzled and drooling, shouting for more. The developers have worked hard to re-create a seamless underwater environment, complete stunning effect; swaying underwater vegetation, rising and falling seabeds. In terms of the graphics department everything has been improved upon from the menu screens to the weapons and enemy characters. <br><br>The game this time puts you in control of a brand new character named William Drake. Drake is an inexperienced freighter pilot, not your typical super hero by any means. One day he is called out to an S.O.S but everything changes, as it becomes apparent that a trap allowing Pirates to take over Drake’s freighter, which is when the game really starts to begin. When Drake returns to his freighter a whole cast of characters are introduced, and as the game develops you learn more about these characters and their personalities. <br><br>Thankfully not only the graphics have been improved, the developers have spent a lot of time improving the gameplay and we can honestly say it’s coming along nicely. The controls system is simple, gamers accustomed to first person shooter games will pick up the controls within seconds; using a combination of the keyboard and the mouse you can easily pilot your craft whilst performing accurate shooting with the mouse cursor. The story develops in and between missions, using ‘clickable’ locations on the freighter you can navigate your way to new conversations which in turn lead to new missions opening up on the mission map available at the docks, of which you can have a number available to choose from at any one time. Also you can upgrade your ship and purchase new weapons etc from the Docks section of the freighter. <br><br>At the end of a mission you have the option of returning to the freighter immediately or you can sail around for some time, giving you time to discover the secrets dotted around each map. If that wasn’t enough when you return to your freighter you may be rewarded with a random item, which can be used to improve your little ship.