[3] Unlike its predecessor, The Chaos Engine 2 is a split-screen deathmatch between two players, one of which may be controlled by the computer: there is no co-operative mode available.

Instead, each player must try to obtain the greatest score, either by simply killing the opponent repeatedly or by collecting objects, destroying monsters, fulfilling tasks and solving puzzles.

Inventories are dropped upon death, which means that if a quest requires a key to unlock a door or a safe, it becomes necessary to kill the opponent should they acquire it before the player.

The four characters are: Initially, players are only able to obtain a limited selection of special abilities, but the range increases as they progress through each game: The Chaos Engine 2 was met with highly positive reviews.

Amiga Computing commented that "the graphics are smooth and flowing, the action non-stop and there is a huge amount of playability.