A couple of years back, Sega worked with the folks at Red on a unique shooting game for the PlayStation 2 called Gungrave, and while it wasn't a real head turner in terms of originality, it had enough thrill-packed action to keep gamers enthralled...at least for a few hours. Now "Beyond the Grave" and company are back yet again with yet another hellraising adventure, this time brought to us by the budget-minded folks at Mastiff, and Gungrave Overdose is ready for consumption.

The story once again allows you take control of Grave as he packs twin pistols and a heavy coffin and seeks to take down armadas of bad guys, from pistol-packing wimps to mad swordsmen to bosses that range from simple to outrageous. This time, though, Grave has some help with two fellow fighters ready to do their best to stop the madness. Rock star Rocketbilly Redcadillac (catchy name) is on hand with his guitar and some guns, and Juji Kabane is a bad-ass swordsman who has a few moves of his own to bring to the party. Each character plays about the same, with the ability to light up the screen with gunfire and some up-close melee attacks, but they each have a distinctive style that's fun to check out.

The game packs nine levels of enemies, and has a story that unfolds courtesy of some high-quality anime clips that play between stages, yanked straight from the Gungrave anime series that's out on DVD. It's not that bad a story, but some of you may just want to skip ahead to the stage, where you're prompted to "kick their ass". Like I said, you have a number of attacks available, up-close and shooting, and you also have access to some bad-ass demoltion shots, which build up in levels as you progress further into the game. The level three demolition shot does quite a bit of damage, and is well worth seeing.

The presentation in Overdose isn't too shabby, although the graphics are noticably a step down from the first game. Textures look a bit rough and unfinished, and animation is shoddy at best. Furthermore, the camera can be quite problematic, hanging over your side instead of right behind you, which can kind of hurt your perspective on keeping an eye on some enemies. The level design is pretty slick (especially a level that takes you through a wharf warehouse, where enemies pop out of crates constantly), and some of the attacks look sweet. Love the posedown feature as well, where your character can stop and strike a killer pose. Overall, it looks first-generation, but it has its moments, especially with the anime and presentation screens, complete with moving chains.

Sound-wise, Overdose needed some slight work. The sound effects are okay but sometimes come off wrong in timing. Explosions can be like a half-second off, and some enemy groans get a little waning over time. The voicework by the US actors is alright, but it would've been nice to have some Japanese actors available to make the feel of the anime come alive. The music is barely there, somewhat serving purpose but not really to the point of satisfaction. I guess this is an average category here.

Where Gungrave Overdose delivers its sense of satisfaction is within its gameplay. The gameplay is fast and frenetic, between the gun-toting madness of shooting down a room full of enemies and taking out five or six enemies with a swing of the coffin, guitar, or swords. The demolition shot build-up is magnificent, and the ability to dive out of harm's way with the jump button is cool. The lock-on system, though, could've used a little revising, as switching between enemies can be a bit of a pain. Fortunately, most of the game allows you to shoot enemies on the fly with ease, so you probably won't need to use it much.

In terms of extras, Overdose isn't exactly overflowing. The game doesn't have any real multiplayer options, and its nine levels can flow by pretty quickly, even on the game's hardest difficulty. However, the ability to play as two extra characters adds a bit of technique, and some stages are worth reliving. After all, when was the last time you had the chance to trash an entire supermarket? Anyone? Throw in the $15 price tag for the whole affair and you've got a winner.

Gungrave Overdose won't wow the entire gaming public. Its gameplay is fast and furious but seems somewhat limited and, to those seeking something expansive, you might want to look elsewhere. However, those up for some fun, cheap thrills and eager to tear the living hell out of something will be happy to Overdose here.