King's Field II never deviates from its precursor's tried-and-true formula. Those familiar with King's Field will instantly feel at home in this second installment of the slow-moving, 3-D fantasy role-playing adventure.

Our story takes place fifteen years after the events of the first King's Field. Without warning, a terrible storm decimates the kingdom of Verdite, spiriting away the protective Moonlight Sword and the King's very soul in the process. Only Lyle, the son of the possessed King, has the ability to locate the source of the evil tempest and retrieve the Moonlight Sword and restore the kingdom.

The game's leisurely pace remains wholly intact, as do its fighting and role-playing elements. To progress through King's Field II, however, players must rely more on communication with friendly characters (vs. the hack-and-slash original). Unfortunately, the conversations remain entirely noninteractive and are presented through onscreen text, not speech. However, King's Field II makes up for this shortcoming with striking, ambient sound effects and a respectable music score.