SpellForce 2: Shadow Wars Critic Reviews

Europeans already know this is the best of the best; take the plunge and see why this is the most successful series overseas. I guarantee you won't be disappointed.

If you’re looking for a good fantasy game, Spellforce II is like a big fantasy nerd peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Simple, yet satisfying.

Hybrids of game genres never quite seem to strike it right, but Spellforce 2 is one of those rare exceptions; fixing most of the problems suffered by the original, both its RPG and RTS elements are now considerably more enjoyable and the graphical presentation finally makes the game a serious contender amongst some stiff competition.

Oh, you'll hear plenty of Diablo comparisons, and we loved the big D six years ago, but hopefully you've moved on since, because this "role-playing-made-love-to-a-strategy-game" hybrid certainly has.

An ambitious effort, and a definite success. Conveying an interesting story with beautiful graphics, great voice acting, a nice soundtrack, and a tight control scheme, very few flaws are to be found in SpellForce 2.

Spellforce 2: Shadow Wars combines the best features of the fantasy RPG and RTS worlds, from strong character development, to massive, resource driven battles-all strewn across gorgeous landscapes. Throw in a wealth of online options-most notably cooperative play-and you have sleeper hit in the making.

Spellforce 2: Shadow Wars is the best "hybrid" game that's attempted to blend both RPG and RTS in a long line of games that have come up woefully short.

A well-balanced amalgamation of RTS and RPG ingredients, set in a unique universe. If you're prepared to shell out 40 bucks for this one, you should know that the game is worth every dime, featuring plenty of content and solid replay value.

SpellForce 2 is sure to satisfy action-RPG gamers.

Separately, the RTS and the RPG aspects of the game can be considered mediocre – with a higher mark for the RPG if I compare it with the first title in the series. But, the game’s splendor comes from successfully combining these two genres, offering a unique experience, a friendly interface, and gameplay which is fun and addictive.

Overall, SpellForce 2 offers a change from the typical RTS fare. To say that the game is a true RPG is stretching the genre to its breaking point; the game is essentially a fantasy RTS with RPG elements added to the gameplay.

It's really hard to blend genres as thoroughly as Phenomic has done here and come away successful at all so it's a testament to the developer's dedication to the cause.

A crusade that claims over 60 hours of play - we recommend you test this claim.

A great improvement over the intriguing (but flawed) original. Spellforce 2 does achieve a good blend of RTS and RPG gameplay, and has gone far toward finding that perfect balance.

SpellForce 2's intriguing mix of gameplay styles makes for a great divergence from the archetypal real-time strategy game.

A great concept, but lacks in execution. Less generic fantasy clichés, more variety to the RTS part and character development, and it would have been more than just a nice game.

This one has a better story that makes playing through it worth the time investment.

Its gameplay is genre-bending, its visuals are intense and demanding, and there’s enough content here to keep you returning for an obscene amount of time.

And tackling the huge amount of diverse RPG quests, picking up and evaluating items, advancing your character's skills to match your tactics is a thoroughly engrossing mix. SpellForce 2 is that rare beast - a thoroughly well executed hybrid game.

If the game has any major flaws at all, it's that whilst the two halves of the game, RTS and RPG, mesh together brilliantly, if you take either of those elements in isolation, they're perhaps a little on the lightweight side. Fortunately, the game does have real synergy: it's greater than the sum of its parts.