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This is the sequel to Game’s first album which, released in 2005, really brought the West coast back after the early 2000s were dominated by East coast and Southern rap. It is the ten year anniversary of the original album this year, and while he released some disappointing records during this period, it sounds like The Game is acknowledging that there is a standard to be met for this one.

At 18 tracks, the album is overlong, and while most are certainly star-studded, the features are disappointingly fleeting. Appearances from Kendrick, Dre, Ice Cube and Q-Tip among others add little, and dilute The Game’s presence. Diddy only comes in at the end of Standing on Ferraris, and Jelly Roll just shouts over the track Hashtag. There is nostalgic tip to many numbers, owing to mostly solid production and the decent use of samples from popular 90s Hip-Hop songs. Step Up is a sentimental throwback to Pete Rock’s classic instrumental of the same title and On Me samples Erykah Badu’s vocals from On and On creating a fun, spacy revision that lends itself to Kendrick’s voice. Standing on Ferraris uses a sample from Screaming Jay Hawkins I Put a Spell on you, but fails to achieve anything close to the dynamism of previous attempts, namely Biggie’s Kick in The Door.

Although there is a refreshing lack of trap-style instrumentals, Dedicated, featuring Future, reminds listeners what is in vogue. The Game has never been particularly lyrical but the signature callousness of his delivery is present in full swing, which reminds listeners of why we (used to) like him. This is successful on 100 and the title track which both contain a seed of urgency and truth, which is undeniably compelling. There are a few dismal lines, for example at one point he rhymes “easy” with “easy”. On the whole this is nothing special but more ambitious than his last few albums, and bear in mind there is a second disc soon to be released.