'Desert Storm II' improves on original

War is anything but a game.

However, it's a subject that game makers frequently focus on, from re-creations of the Civil War to the latest conflicts around the globe.

Now comes "Conflict: Desert Storm II -- Back to Baghdad," an update of last year's "Desert Storm" title from Gotham Games. I played the Xbox version, which supports the console's excellent Xbox Live online gaming operation.

The original was no great shakes. It featured squad-based combat action against Saddam Hussein's finest, but was clunky, with muddy graphics and less than realistic soldiers.

DSII is a huge improvement, with much smoother game play, better-looking graphics and far more realistic human models.

It's no "Halo," but it is fun.

The game doesn't bring you forward in time; it still focuses on the first Iraq war. But the scenarios are generic and could as easily be playing out now as then.

You play through 10 missions, each with a number of objectives which are updated as you progress. You are in charge of either an American Delta Force team or a squad of British SAS soldiers.

But no matter if they're speaking English with an American or a British accent, the names are the same. Sgt. John Bradley's still in charge, with sniper Paul Foley, demolitions expert David Jones and heavy weapons specialist Mick Conners backing him up.

Each man's specialty comes in handy at various times during each mission. The sniper is especially helpful when you're pinned down by Iraqi troops, and Jones' C4 expertise is useful for destroying tanks and specific targets, such as radar or missile sites.

There's no microphone to control the squad. Instead, you use the left trigger to open communications and specific buttons for specific orders. Pull the trigger, highlight Jones on your menu and order him forward, and he marches off at your bidding.

Another button tells the gang to fire at will; a third tells them to remain where they are.

You should remember to play as the soldier on the run, because he'll be facing danger on the way and you might have to stop him to deal with enemy troops.

But in general, it's an efficient and easily learned method of moving people around.

Combat is what this game is all about. The fighting is engaging and relatively solid. There's an auto-aim function that will pick out targets you can't even see.

Graphics get a C+. The backgrounds are bland and often fuzzy, and enemy soldiers all seem to look alike, but details of your squad members are sharp and distinct and weapons effects are solid and realistic.

Sound gets a B. Sounds of combat are excellent; the voice commands and weapons effects are good. The music is generic, bland and probably unnecessary.

Control gets a B. A bit of practice in the "training" mode and you'll be dishing out the lead in no time. It's easy to pick up the techniques you'll need to survive and prosper.

Give "Conflict: Desert Storm II" a B. It's not perfect, but it is a nice taste of squad-based combat.