It seems that Core and Eidos bit off more than they could chew with Fighting Force 2.
The plot focuses on Hawk Mason, one of the main characters from the first Fighting Force taking on a company which illegally researches cloning. The plot isn't the easiest to follow and it's probably for the better, as it has that lackluster feel to it. Aside from this, Fighting Force 2 doesn't have much to do with the first game despite being built as a sequel. There's no glimpse at all of the three other characters or what happened to them at the end.
After playing the game for just a couple of seconds, you'll realize that this is not much of a "Fighting Force" as it is a "Shooting Force". There are a lot of weapons at your disposal such as grenades, rocket launchers and several types of handguns. While it's still possible for you to get into fistfights, chances are that you'll shoot the enemies rather than knock them out. No matter what method you choose it gets boring quickly due to the fact that the levels are excruciatingly long, normally lasting for about 35 minutes. There aren't many checkpoints either, so if you happen to die along the way you'll be forced to play those 35 minutes all over again.
If the controls in the first game were a bit stiff, then the controls in Fighting Force 2 are as clunky as someone trying to do aerobics while holding onto a bathtub at the same time. Since Hawk turns around so slowly, it can be hard to line up your aim or punch. If you hit down on the D-pad in the wrong way while fighting, Hawk will perform a backward punch. This is very unhelpful while you're trying to back away from a group of enemies, only to turn your back at them so they can land a lot of cheap-shots.
If there is one thing about Fighting Force 2 that is good, it's the graphics. The frame rate stays smooth throughout the whole game, the animation is decent and in general the game is pleasant to look at. The same can not be said for the music, as it's almost always absent. Even when there is music, it's for the most part unforgettable.
There are certain parts where the game actually gets quite fun, but those parts are overshadowed by a problem so huge it makes the game nearly unplayable. Sometimes while you're playing the screen fades to red, killing you instantly. This actually occurs a lot, usually without any kind of warning, and when it happens you're likely to be resetting your Playstation.
It seems that Core and Eidos bit off more than they could chew with Fighting Force 2. There is nothing wrong with combining several types of genres into one game, but it must at least work properly. Just take a quick look at Die Hard Trilogy proves this statement.