E-Mail This Article to a Friend Every time I think I'm out… Sly Cooper returns for one more job BY JIM MURRAY
	Sly 2: Band of Thieves Published by Sony Computer Entertainment America. Developed by Sucker Punch Productions. For PlayStation 2. Rated E for Everyone.

When it comes to all of the different genres of videogames, I’m not what you’d call a "platform guy." Yeah, I know I’m in the minority, but games like Super Mario Bros., Jak and Daxter, Ratchet and Clank, and all of the other countless "cartoon-esque" knockoffs just never did it for me.

That was until 2002, when I decided to try the critically-acclaimed Sly Cooper and the Thievius Raccoonus for the PS2. The game was simply amazing to play, beautiful to look at, had a cool storyline, and was just challenging enough to keep you playing without getting frustrated.

Well, it’s now two years later, and Sly Cooper and his pals are back in Sly 2: Band Of Thieves. Developer Sucker Punch hasn’t changed much, but has improved whatever minimal flaws the first game had.

Sly 2 is as amazing looking as the last one, with its impressive cel-shaded graphics. And the levels are also more than just pretty – they’re huge. I’ll put it to you this way: If you can see it, chances are you can get there. The story is as whip-smart as the last game, and you’ll find yourself actually watching the cut scenes rather than skipping them. Well, at least I did. . . .

The action in Band Of Thieves is just like the first one, too, which is great because that’s what I love so much about this series. It never really plays like your typical platformer – typically meaning repetitive. Nope, Sly 2 does a great job of varying the missions, and once again you get not only to play as Sly, but, you also get to play as his buddies Bentley (the computer-nerd turtle) and Murray (the big-doofus hippo who wears glasses just like mine. And who shares my name. What can I say? This character hits a little too close to home).

If you played the first game and enjoyed it, you probably had the same (and only) complaint that I did: It was way too short – like 10 hours of playing time short. Well, I’m happy to tell you that Sucker Punch has solved that problem this time around by giving you twice the game as the first Sly. It took me a bit over 23 hours to complete the game 100 percent, and I’ll be playing it through at least one more time, if only because the game is so damn fun.

Look, the bottom line is this: If you even remotely liked Sly Cooper and the Thievius Raccoonus, then you won’t be disappointed by the sequel. Go buy it now, and thank me later.

Score: 9.0 (out of 10)