Spellforce 2: Shadow Wars
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| Spellforce 2 | |
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| Developer(s) | Phenomic |
| Publisher(s) | Aspyr Media |
| Release date(s) | May 2, 2006 |
| Genre(s) | Real-time strategy, RPG |
| Mode(s) | Single player, multiplayer, online |
| Rating(s) | M: Moderate Violence |
| Platform(s) | Windows XP, 2000 |
| Media | DVD |
| Input | Keyboard, mouse |
Spellforce 2: Shadow Wars is a combination Real-time strategy and RPG game created by German game developers Phenomic as a sequel to their 2003 release Spellforce: The Order of Dawn and its two expansions(Spellforce: The Breath of Winter and Spellforce: Shadow of the Phoenix).
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[edit] Gameplay
The Spellforce game series has been one of the few attempts to fuse role-playing game (RPG) and real-time strategy (RTS) elements. Other games that have attempted to integrate the two genres include Dragonshard.
The RPG aspects of Spellforce 2 parallel games such as Diablo, Diablo II, and Sacred for both character development and skill trees, equipment customisation, and top-down isometric viewing. However the capacity to control multiple heroes often makes the gameplay similar to that found in the Baldur's Gate or Neverwinter nights PC games.
The RTS aspects of Spellforce 2 mirror the Warcraft fantasy RTS games. This includes the ability to control several separate factions such as the Realm (humans/elves/dwarves), the Pact (dark elves/shadows) and the Clans (orcs/trolls/barbarians). Each faction has its own individual troop and building types.
Spellforce 2 has several gaming modes, including Campaign play (which is expositional), Skirmish mode (which almost purely RTS), and Free Play (similar to Campaign play, but without an overarching plot). It can also be played co-operatively or competitively in multiplayer mode.
[edit] Tactics
The tactics for Spellforce are common to those used to successfully complete other RPG and RTS games.
RPG character development requires a player to obtain experience as well as high-quality armour and weapons. In campaign play these rewards are maximized by completing "optional" side-quests.
RTS sections usually involve building a camp, most often defended by RPG characters in its infancy. Then it typically involves marshalling the maximum number of troops to a point of conflict. While army composition does matter, unit micromanagement does not appear to be a major factor in RTS success.
[edit] Plot
The main character controlled by the player is a Shaikan, or a character who has the blood of a dragon. This dragon blood allows resurrection of oneself and followers, as well as the ability to summon followers instantly to one's side.
The story begins with an attack on the Shaikan homeland, which starts a series of quests through different lands in order to gather assistance. Initially this gives the character control over human forces, but dwarven and elvish forces are later incorporated. Subsequently the plot leads the player to align with the clans and control orcish forces.
The Shaikan patron, a dragon called Ur is captured and one of the major goals of the adventure is his rescue. The story also features a scantily-clad dark elf heroine, Nightsong, as illustrated on the box cover art.
[edit] Reactions
Spellforce 2: Shadow Wars was well received by both critics and players. According to the metacritic website, it obtained a score of 81% from critics and 8.8/10 from players. [1]
Many of the criticisms of the original Spellforce (e.g. poor integration of RPG and RTS aspects, a confusing interface, and an overly cumbersome RTS system) were improved upon in the sequel.
While many reviewers indicate that Spellforce 2: Shadow Wars is one of the best hybrid games to date, most acknowledge that it presents little innovation for either of its RPG or RTS genres.
To quote Pro-G: "RTS and RPG, mesh together brilliantly, if you take either of those elements in isolation, they're perhaps a little on the lightweight side." [2]
Spellforce2 is protected by Starforce copy protection system.
