Bullfrog’s first Dungeon Keeper installment was a wickedly funny strategy game with a great twist: Instead of controlling a group of heroes who invade a dungeon to rid the land of evil, players were thrust into the role of a devilish being in charge of building said dungeon, destroying said heroes and taking over said land.

It was addictive and entertaining, especially since plot never got in the way. Sure, each level featured a bit of a variation on the challenge, but the goal was clear: Build strength and defend against marauding knights, fairies, monks and the like.

And the sequel? It’s hard to say. Dungeon Keeper 2 is unquestionably fun, and among the best games of the year, but there’s just something about it that will disappoint veteran DK players. Unfortunately, putting a finger on that something is difficult.

Maybe it’s that there’s a plot this time around. It seems the lord of this fair kingdom had 12 gems that would open a portal and, presumably, allow evil into the world. So the lord chose a dozen of his faithful followers and gave each a gem for safekeeping. Horny (the horned reaper from the first game) wants them, so the player — as the dungeon keeper — must vanquish each hero.

That means building dungeons and mounting assaults, taking the offensive more often than in the last game. Once the area’s hero is defeated, Horny appears in a nifty movie sequence and claims the gem.

The dungeons are even more incredible than before. The dark, flickering tunnels and gorgeous graphics are even better here, even without 3D acceleration. That’s just how good the included software renderer is. Of course, it’s still all based on the same square system, though now walls are rougher and look less uniformly straight. The atmosphere is that of a twisted wonderland that could cave in on its dark occupants at any minute.

Gameplay remains familiar: The player builds rooms to attract creatures like goblins and warlocks and trolls, and then must provide an infrastructure for their work and play lives. Food is required, and something to keep the minions occupied, whether libraries for researching spells and rooms, training rooms for gaining levels or workshops for creating doors and traps.

The new round of rooms is great, like the casino, where creatures go to relax and maybe make some money. Of course, the player controls the payout, so it can be used to raise cash in a crisis or provide huge jackpots when the denizens get restless.

New traps are also nice, like the fear trap that only allows certain enemies to pass, or the "sentry trap" (really big cannon).

One of the absolute best improvements is in creature possession. Essentially, the Keeper can take control of a monster, viewing the dungeon in wonderful 3D. Save before you do this, because it’s just so damn easy to get caught up in wandering the halls while neglecting the rest of the game. The view is almost as good as the best first-person shooters on the market.

Whereas this was an added extra in the last game, this time it’s important tactically. The Keeper can raise armies of creatures when in first-person mode, plus most creatures are often given special powers or abilities when possessed.

So why the lingering dissatisfaction? Perhaps that’s too strong a word, but there’s still something missing here.

For one thing, most of the so-called heroes are portrayed as greedy or cowardly or otherwise, well, bad. That detracts from the thrill of, for once, being the unseen evil opposing pure and goodly parties of characters.

Strangely enough, the plot is a liability, too. I know, we’re always knocking games for lack of plot. But dammit, it was so nice to be bad just because the Keeper is one bad mutha. Now the whole point is just to open a portal for evil? But wait, what about all these goblins and mistresses and even Horny himself? What more evil really needs to be let into this world?

These are nitpicks — this game as a whole is very fun, beautifully done and another feather in the cap for Bullfrog and EA. Better yet, there’s a promo for DK3 included. Already teasing us with the next installment? Now that’s evil.