MDK2, from Bioware Corp., and Interplay, is great shooter-style gaming wrapped up in solid three- dimensional graphics, a pulse-pounding musical score, and the odd bit of humor thrown in.

Here’s the program setup: In MDK, Kurt, along with Dr. Fluke Hawkins and the six-armed cigar-smoking canine robot Max, rid the Earth of interdimensional beings who were trying to strip-mine the planet. Kurt inserted himself into big machines, known as mine crawlers, then worked his way to the pilot, destroying him. Of course, he ultimately had to battle the head bad alien, Gunter Glut. After defeating him, the rest of the alien force fled.

MDK2 picks up right where the first program ended. Kurt, Dr. Hawkins and Max are toasting their victory when suddenly scanners pick up another mine crawler near Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Muttering under his breath, Kurt heads for the air lock of the space ship Jim Dandy (which is parked in the Earth’s orbit), loses his balance and falls toward the Earth and the mine crawler.

First obstacle, avoid the rockets and other missiles launched at Kurt during his free-fall to the planet. Shortly after gaining entry to the mine crawler, Dr. Hawkins will message in and run Kurt (and the game player) through the basics of the coil suit, the versatile uniform/armor that Kurt wears.

Once you finish the refresher course, it’s off to destroy any and all aliens that get in your way. You’ll have to weave through the maze that comprises the corridors of the alien craft, solving puzzles and blasting away at all targets that present themselves. That is the nice aspect of this program. Instead of just blasting away, you do have to think a wee bit. If you are locked in a running gun battle with the aliens, and every time you kill all the ones that have presented themselves, more show up, then there is probably somewhere that they are coming from. Eliminate their entry point and you can eliminate the aliens and get back to the business of finding your way to the pilot.

From the ‘Hectic’ comic book cover, to the parody of the “Charlie’s Angels” silhouette that dots this program, MDK2 inserts the right amount of comedy before launching players into non-stop action.

The controls are very simple to grasp, and the sniper mode is really cool. Zooming in on a target up to a mile away gives a false sense of power. Graphically the game is very good. This program requires OpenGL drivers, but you don't have to go to the Internet to download them. MDK2 provides the drivers for a wide range of 3D cards, and then gives you three options for configuring your video card to handle the program. There is a crispness to the program that makes is rather fun to look at. But you can’t waste time sightseeing. Your reflexes must be performing on high in this game.

MDK2 also offers the opportunity to play the game, not just as Kurt, but as Dr. Hawkins or Max. The game has some very interesting aspects depending on whom you play as.

The game itself is an arcade-style shooter. You progress through the environments - there are 10 in all - gunning down aliens and running through rewards to build up your arsenal. Rewards are not always in the form of weapons. You might get a decoy, which will lure the aliens away from you when employed.

Everything works in this program - from the three-dimensional graphics, to the smooth transition in the game play, and the sound. The story line is a little worn, but is unpretentious. MDK2 is not out to overwhelm the action genre.  Its goal is to keep gamers entertained. In that regard, it succeeds admirably. The game is a blast.

MDK2 is rated T for teens due to animated violence and blood. It does not support multiplayer gaming.

Install: Medium. The specs for this program call for 500 megs of hard drive space, but the game itself only eats up - with a typical install - 250 megs.

Gameplay: 9. Fast-paced and seamless design enable the player to experience the adrenaline rush of constant combat.

Graphics: 8.0. The polygonal graphics are crisp and well-rendered. This program does require a 3D card, but will reward the player with detailed environments and characters.

Sound: 8. Pulse-pounding music, and the rip of the machine gun, explosions - all are solid.

Difficulty: 9. There are four difficulty levels, but even the easiest will keep you on your toes. The hardest will just about cause you to pop a blood vessel.

Concept: 7. This is a sequel to a highly rated program, and thus falters a bit in the originality department. However, the combination of action and the odd touch of humor makes it refreshing.

Overall: 8.5. MDK2 is a wonderful romp. It smacks of the old-fashioned shooter games, but employs a touch of strategy. This is a lot of fun.