Summer 2003 saw a fashion revival that hadn't been witnessed since the Power Rangers craze of the '90s. Viewtiful Joe single-handedly made the unlikely combination of pink spandex, crash helmets and long flowing capes cool. While you certainly wouldn't want to wear it out to the pub for an evening, the combination of style, wit and flair won the hearts of gamers worldwide. Little over a year later Capcom have given us a reason to dust off our skintight pink costumes and in the true tradition of the films it pays homage to, it's simply called Viewtiful Joe 2.

This time around developer Clover Studios have elected to develop the Sentai hero theme a little bit further with the addition of another playable character; Joe's long suffering girlfriend Sylvia. While initially the damsel in distress, with her true abilities only hinted at during the end of the first game, this time Sylvia has been given a more prominent role with her own set of VFX powers.

The latest adventure picks up directly where the first ended. Having rescued Sylvia from the clutches of the evil Jadow, Joe, Sylvia and Captain Blue have little time to celebrate. Movieland is under threat from the invading extra-terrestrial Gedow, led by the mysterious Black Emperor. It soon transpires that the Emperor is after the Rainbow Oscars and it’s up to Joe and Sylvia to find them all before the Emperor and his minions.

2003's release stood out from the crowd thanks to its unique flair and instantly recognisable cel-shaded style. Viewtiful Joe 2 is no different and continues this successful brand of delightful imagery and imaginative character design. Similarly Clover has done very little tinkering under the hood, with much of the general gameplay mechanics sticking to the tried and tested formula of the original.

However with the inclusion of two playable characters, and in order to ensure balance, skills have been added or removed. Typically Joe and Sylvia share common VFX powers (such as the ability to slow time, zoom in etc) as well as having their own unique traits. Thankfully players can switch between Joe and Sylvia whenever they wish in order to make use of each character's different powers.

Joe retains most of his original moves (with the exception of his Shocking Pink bomb attack which has been passed to Sylvia) along with a handy new ability to grab and throw opponents. This means players of the first can dive in with gusto, before moving on to master Sylvia's own unique style.

Sylvia's VFX allows her the ability to 'Replay', dealing triple the damage to enemies and with practice this electrifying new addition can become useful for increasing combos. However carelessness can result in taking three times the amount of damage from an attack, and usually the loss of a life during the earlier stages.

Puzzles, while present in the first, feature more prominently this time around and provide a welcome break to the onslaught of Gedow. In fact it is through their placement and the division of skills between characters that Clover have ensured Sylvia to be more than just a disposable extra. For example, some puzzles require the lighting of Tiki-style torch stands - something that is only possible by using Joe's Mach speed. Simple enough, except that there are three torches and no matter how hard he attacks, Joe can only ignite one at a time. Enter Sylvia and with the implementation of her Replay, one lit torch becomes three, unlocking the way ahead. This simple but effective puzzle execution is used throughout to keep players on their toes.

Level design remains varied, drawing on a number of movie-inspired themes from Jurassic Park to Indiana Jones. As is befitting each level, opponents also differ in design, size, and the tactics required to defeat them. Enemies range from an ample supply of Gedow foot soldiers on which to perfect your fighting moves and rack up points, through to the huge and often taxing end-of-level bosses.

These are a testament to Clover's rich character design, although it should be said that they do feel somewhat lacking compared to those of the first. In particular the end-of-level bosses for the first two stages feel like little more than a variation on the same theme. Thankfully later denizens see a welcome return to form, with some wacky and distinctive creations making memorable appearances.

Viewtiful Joe 2 is also guilty of the biggest gaming faux-pas of modern times in that it introduces the same character over and over again, initially as an end-of-stage boss and then repeatedly throughout the course of the game as a mid-level guardian. While you are led to believe this was done intentionally (it becomes an in-game joke between Joe and Sylvia at one point), it does feel a little cheap.

Fans of Six Machine, Joe's (and now Sylvia's) multi-talented craft will be pleased to know it makes a return. Along with its original aircraft and gigantic mechanoid configurations, this time Six Machine is able to transform into a number of new variants including a submersible, a drilling machine, and even a ridiculously large cannon. As with the first, these levels provide effective and entertaining interludes from the combat and puzzles.

One of the biggest criticisms of the original title was its difficulty level, and in that respect little has changed. Those who were flustered by the first will be met with the same feeling again. However, like its predecessor, Viewtiful Joe 2 is a game that often requires practice and concentration in order to reap the greatest benefits. Its simple cartoony exterior belies the in-depth fighting combo system underneath, and with a little time and effort it is possible to pull off a staggering amount of solid and satisfying chained attacks in the Viewtiful style befitting the game's title.

Special mention should also be made of the game's unlockable '36 Chambers of Heroness' mode. Essentially a series of challenges against varying groups of opponents, these go a long way to increasing the longevity of the game after the storyline mode has been completed. The emphasis here is purely on action, and each chamber provides a challenge both to those who are familiar with the game's fighting system, as well as a harsh training ground for those who wish to hone their skills.

Overall, while Viewtiful Joe's return employs a number of features to ensure it differs slightly from Part One, ultimately this has its negative and positive sides. The overwhelming similarity to the first will leave some with a "seen it all before" feeling and it does nothing to entice back those who have been alienated first time around. On the other hand, the game is still one of the most unique and entertaining experiences around; those who enjoyed the original and were left hungry for more will certainly lap this up as another chance to flex their Heroness and show how Viewtiful they can be...