While Artoon's and Microsoft's sequel to the original time twisting action platformer may not break any new ground, Blinx 2 is a solid platformer that the whole family can enjoy. The whole concept of the game has been refined and the learning curve has been improved to be pleasing to everyone, though hardcore gamers may find the game a bit too easy in Artoon's follow-up..

Blinx 2: Masters of Time & Space continues the adventures of Blinx, or rather a cat character and helpers (part of the Time Sweepers) that players can customize to their liking. These heroic cats have the ability to make time slow, fast forward, rewind, or stop. In the sequel, your squad must use their time control powers to battle the criminal pig gang (Tom Tom Gang), who are doing their best to make time a twisted nasty mess. Players will also find themselves in the dirty footwear of said pigs in parts of the game, as they morph and control space. The pigs use their stealth skills to take on various challenges, in addition to using powerful weapons, and their ability to take control of the space continuum. In the sequel both groups are on the hunt for fragments of the Big Crystal, powerful artifacts that are messing up time in a major way.

As we have already mentioned, players don't actually play as Blinx, but rather a Time Sweeper and his team as they embark on a counter-operation to thwart the activities of the Tom Tom Gang. Players will change this team using the game's character system which will let them customize their cats to their liking - from appearance to facial features. Players will also be able to customize their pig team in a similar fashion.

The Time Sweepers have the ability to change time. This allows them to rewind, forward fast, pause, a slow down time as they avoid bullets, solve puzzles and general lay the smack down on the pigs. The pig team has the ability to manipulate space using several interesting things like warp tunnels, space bubbles, hypercloaks, void traps and more. Players conduct the single player portion of the game in usually small levels, using weapons, gadgets and their team respective "powers" to manipulate the gameplay. The game starts out with players controlling the Time Sweepers first, telling the story from the perspective, and later switching over to the other team. The Time Sweepers come armed with vacuum-style weapons that picks up refuse that can then be used as a projectile weapon. For their time powers, the Time Sweepers can use the crystals they collect to activate them. The game also adds a new melee attack that can be used on nearby enemies - if for nothing else, then for the sake of sanity.

The Tom Toms can be armed with a variety of unique items including grenades that rip open black holes and banana peels that cause enemies to slip. The Tom Toms also have stealth abilities - which are a given for a large portion of the missions they'll take on throughout the single-player portion of the game. One of the other important things added to the game -- or removed, we should say -- is the ten minute time limit on missions. Now players can take all the time they want, though it is pretty obvious that the game is a heck of a lot easier than it's predecessor.

Gameplay is mainly a solo affair most of the time, with your respective leaders from both teams doing the bulk of the puzzle solving work and taking on the occasional big boss battle. Occasionally in single player your teammates will show up for a multiplayer style fight - usually played out on the generic multiplayer maps. Each of these multiplayer style maps is packed with a variety of power-ups and weapons that can be used against the enemy forces to great affect. How challenging these types of missions are really depends on your level of gaming expertise - novice players may find the gameplay "just right" while hardcore gamers may find it all too easy to handle.

A note on the time limit that was in the first game - while the time limit has been removed from this game, making it a bit easier for novice players to complete, time still is factored into your overall ending score at mission completion.

The multiplayer component of the game takes place on generic maps where up to four players can partake in free for all or team deathmatch with teams they have designed. Blinx 2 also includes a cooperative, two-player version of the story mode that is available every time a saved game is loaded. The multiplayer is pretty generic in its presentation and can be fun if you're not looking for a hardcore multiplayer experience.

If anything bad can be said about Blinx 2, its that it isn't quite as hardcore as the first game was. The game has been simplified to give more casual and younger players an easier play experience, but hardcore gamers may find the gameplay too simple for their tastes. That's not necessarily a bad thing if you're looking for a game the entire family can play. If you're looking for a light platformer experience to take on or are shopping for a casual or younger player then Blinx 2 could be just what you're looking for. You can learn more about the game at xbox.com .