The 2000 N64 title Sin and Punishment: Successor of the Earth was a critically-acclaimed and insanely challenging shooter, one which unfortunately wasn’t ported over to North America until 7 years later on the Wii’s Virtual Console. Perhaps due to the game’s American popularity, and perhaps as an apology to its non-Asian fans, we now have a sequel. And even though it took developer Treasure more than ten years, Sin and Punishment 2: Star Successor is well worth the wait.The new game is even better than the original, engaging all levels of players without sacrificing challenge. Previous Treasure games like Ikaruga and Radian Silvergun are renowned among players for their hardcore levels of difficulty. Star Successor, however, offers three levels of difficulty and one of the smoothest control schemes yet on the Wii. Whereas other system controllers require you to aim and move the character with the same buttons, the Wii remote enables split-second aiming as well as movement.The new control scheme also allows the game to shake up traditional shooter gameplay. Dodging allows you momentary invincibility as you scoot across the screen, which is necessary when humongous, unavoidable lasers start criss-crossing the level. Melee attacks are also a new component, and the game capitalizes on them by including a sword-fight and a fist-fight.There are a few downsides, and only because they’re all but unavoidable. First, the game is shortmost players will be able to finish in six hours or less. But shooters like this aren’t meant to be played once and put away, and that’s also the reason why the game’s ludicrous story doesn’t drag it down. You can forego paying any attention at all to the plot, and still get exactly what you deserve out of the game. Then, you can go back and play it as another character, or try it with a friend. It’ll make all but the most grudging gamers forget that whole thing about the first game, and just enjoy the thrill of this one.