Sacred 2 Fallen Angel
Encyclopedia
Sacred 2: Fallen Angel is an action role-playing game
. It is the second full game in the Sacred video game series. It is a prequel
which takes place 2,000 years before the events of Sacred. Like its predecessor, the game takes place in a fantasy
setting. A new game engine means that the game is rendered in perspective correct 3D, while retaining the viewpoint found in older isometric
games. Video game designer Bob Bates
has been involved in its production, the game also includes a video sequence with the power metal
band Blind Guardian
, who also made a theme song for the game.
The PC version was released in late 2008, the console versions were delayed until 2009 with the discs being pressed in April 2009 for a May release, in April the developer, Ascaron, went into administration
citing the extended development as the reason.. An add-on titled Ice & Blood was released Oct 2 for European PC players only. Support for the US PC version has been taken over by CDV, though all support for current and future expansions and console versions in the US has been dropped.
A power struggle is raging between two factions within the High Elves. The nobility and clergy are each trying to gain control over the T-Energy. Other races take advantage of the distraction the conflict provides and try to gain control of the T-Energy themselves, so they can become the dominant and most powerful race. As these events unfold, the T-Energy goes increasingly out of control and changes into a destructive force that mutates creatures, destroys cities, and renders entire regions uninhabitable. The campaign selection you make will determine whether your story involves healing the land, or intensifying the chaos.
There are a variety of different regions, from arid desert to tropical rain forest. Every region differs in its climate, terrain, architecture, inhabitants, flora, fauna and lighting.
In addition to playable characters and enemies, there are different neutral creatures who inhabit the various regions, as well as enemies and NPCs (non-player character
s).
NPCs are constructed to behave realistically within the Day/Night cycle. For example, merchants will be at home at night.
The special mounts are:
Equipment can be generated with dozens of modifiers as well as sockets and both dropped and bought equipment is predominantly class-specific.
Players can modify their characters further by allocating stat points, choosing from a range of over-arching skills which improve their special powers (combat arts), allow them to barter with NPCs or use different types of weapons. Players can also increase the level of their individual combat arts, pick and choose combat arts to execute together in "combos" and even further customize individual combat arts with additional effects.
, as well as the Xbox 360
and PlayStation 3
. All versions contain the same content, with the exception of the Xbox 360 pre-order. If pre-ordered at GameStop, a code was given to access a creature that allows access to inventory storage anywhere in the world as long as both players are signed into Xbox Live. It is also available to purchase as DLC. The main difference is in the UI, which has been designed in attempt to allow optimal control for the hardware differences of each platform.
campaign, join a friend's game in multiplayer, then return to their single player campaign at the point they left off while retaining any levels and items that they received while in their friend's multiplayer game.
All platforms allow a variety of game modes, with five distinct multiplayer modes, with the maximum number of players varying based on the platform and game type:
. A year later, in August 2010, Sacred 3
was officially announced.
The PC version of Sacred 2 received fair reviews with an average critic score of 71% at Game Rankings
and 71 out of 100 at Metacritic
. While the design, world map and multiplayer were praised, common criticisms were directed at the visuals and technical glitches, as well as the lack of character customization and mostly female, gender-fixed classes. The later release of the Xbox 360 and PS3 versions received a more favorable response with an average score of 73% for both platforms at Game Rankings and 74 and 75 out of 100 respectively at Metacritic. While some critics still criticized issues found in the PC versions, others found that there were fewer bugs and that the interface had been improved.
Action role-playing game
Action role-playing games form a loosely defined sub-genre of role-playing video games that incorporate elements of action or action-adventure games, emphasizing real-time action where the player has direct control over characters, instead of turn-based or menu-based combat...
. It is the second full game in the Sacred video game series. It is a prequel
Prequel
A prequel is a work that supplements a previously completed one, and has an earlier time setting.The widely recognized term was a 20th-century neologism, and a portmanteau from pre- and sequel...
which takes place 2,000 years before the events of Sacred. Like its predecessor, the game takes place in a fantasy
Fantasy
Fantasy is a genre of fiction that commonly uses magic and other supernatural phenomena as a primary element of plot, theme, or setting. Many works within the genre take place in imaginary worlds where magic is common...
setting. A new game engine means that the game is rendered in perspective correct 3D, while retaining the viewpoint found in older isometric
Isometric projection
Isometric projection is a method for visually representing three-dimensional objects in two dimensions in technical and engineering drawings...
games. Video game designer Bob Bates
Bob Bates
Robert Bates , better known as Bob Bates, is an American computer games designer. Starting as a designer in the 1980s for Infocom, he was later co-founder of Legend Entertainment, designing games such as Timequest and Eric the Unready...
has been involved in its production, the game also includes a video sequence with the power metal
Power metal
Power metal is a style of heavy metal combining characteristics of traditional metal with speed metal, often within symphonic context. The term refers to two different but related styles: the first pioneered and largely practiced in North America with a harder sound similar to speed metal, and a...
band Blind Guardian
Blind Guardian
Blind Guardian is a German power metal band formed in the mid-1980s in Krefeld, West Germany. They are often credited as one of the seminal and most influential bands in the power metal and speed metal subgenres...
, who also made a theme song for the game.
The PC version was released in late 2008, the console versions were delayed until 2009 with the discs being pressed in April 2009 for a May release, in April the developer, Ascaron, went into administration
Administration (insolvency)
As a legal concept, administration is a procedure under the insolvency laws of a number of common law jurisdictions. It functions as a rescue mechanism for insolvent entities and allows them to carry on running their business. The process – an alternative to liquidation – is often known as going...
citing the extended development as the reason.. An add-on titled Ice & Blood was released Oct 2 for European PC players only. Support for the US PC version has been taken over by CDV, though all support for current and future expansions and console versions in the US has been dropped.
Plot
A mysterious and volatile substance called T-Energy is the source of all life and magic in Ancaria. It was originally solely under the control of the ancient race of Seraphim. However, over time as they lost interest in the world they gave some of their control to the High Elves. With this power, the High Elves quickly became the dominant race of Ancaria.A power struggle is raging between two factions within the High Elves. The nobility and clergy are each trying to gain control over the T-Energy. Other races take advantage of the distraction the conflict provides and try to gain control of the T-Energy themselves, so they can become the dominant and most powerful race. As these events unfold, the T-Energy goes increasingly out of control and changes into a destructive force that mutates creatures, destroys cities, and renders entire regions uninhabitable. The campaign selection you make will determine whether your story involves healing the land, or intensifying the chaos.
Campaigns
There are two campaign path choices: Light and Shadow. The player will select the path they want to follow at the beginning of the game, and this choice determines the ultimate goal of their character. Throughout the game, the paths intersect at different points. In one path you may be asked to help defend a town, while in the other you may be the person attacking the town.World
Sacred 2: Fallen Angel features minimal loading times between regions. The surface map is 22 square miles (57 km²). The world also contains dungeons and caves going as far as 2 levels deep, and surface dwellings of up to four stories. Most of the action takes place in the open world above ground.There are a variety of different regions, from arid desert to tropical rain forest. Every region differs in its climate, terrain, architecture, inhabitants, flora, fauna and lighting.
In addition to playable characters and enemies, there are different neutral creatures who inhabit the various regions, as well as enemies and NPCs (non-player character
Non-player character
A non-player character , sometimes known as a non-person character or non-playable character, in a game is any fictional character not controlled by a player. In electronic games, this usually means a character controlled by the computer through artificial intelligence...
s).
NPCs are constructed to behave realistically within the Day/Night cycle. For example, merchants will be at home at night.
Classes
There are 6 playable fixed-gender classes, each of which has different class-specific equipment and animations that are dependent on the weapons being wielded. Maximum character level will be at least 200.- Seraphim: The Seraphim is the only class from Sacred that appears in Sacred 2: Fallen Angel. She embodies all that is good, and therefore she can only play the Light path.
- Shadow Warrior: An elite warrior, returned to life against his will after his death on the battlefield.
- High Elf: A student of magic, freshly emerged from the academy ready to explore the world and expand her knowledge.
- Dryad: Adept at ranged combat, nature magic and voodoo.
- Temple Guardian: Cyborg canine creature - adept at the mechanical and technological arts.
- Inquisitor: He embodies all that is evil, and therefore can only play the Shadow path.
Mounts
Players are able to use horses as they could in Sacred, for transportation as well as in combat. Though players can engage in combat while riding a horse, they cannot execute Combat Arts, Sacreds version of special moves. Mounts do, however, add to character stats - acting as an additional equipment slot. Each class also has access to a special unique mount type via a quest, that allows the use of Combat Arts whilst mounted, and even improves some of them.The special mounts are:
- Seraphim: Saber-toothed tigerSaber-toothed catSaber-toothed cat or Sabre-toothed cat refers to the extinct subfamilies of Machairodontinae , Barbourofelidae , and Nimravidae as well as two families related to marsupials that were found worldwide from the Eocene Epoch to the end of the Pleistocene Epoch ,...
- Shadow Warrior: Hellhound
- High Elf: Wind serpent
- Dryad: Giant lizardLizardLizards are a widespread group of squamate reptiles, with nearly 3800 species, ranging across all continents except Antarctica as well as most oceanic island chains...
- Temple Guardian: Mobiculum
- Inquisitor: Giant spiderSpiderSpiders are air-breathing arthropods that have eight legs, and chelicerae with fangs that inject venom. They are the largest order of arachnids and rank seventh in total species diversity among all other groups of organisms...
Quests
Ancaria is full of a variety of quest types. Current figures indicate that there will be 100 core campaign quests as well as 600 of side quests. The side quests will include character specific quests, as well as quest related to the specific deity you choose when creating your character.Customization
Character customization is accomplished in a variety of ways. In addition the choice of using a mount or not, and if so which, there is a wide variety of equipment and weapon types; the game features an RPG-standard set of equipment options.Equipment can be generated with dozens of modifiers as well as sockets and both dropped and bought equipment is predominantly class-specific.
Players can modify their characters further by allocating stat points, choosing from a range of over-arching skills which improve their special powers (combat arts), allow them to barter with NPCs or use different types of weapons. Players can also increase the level of their individual combat arts, pick and choose combat arts to execute together in "combos" and even further customize individual combat arts with additional effects.
Platforms
Sacred 2 is available for Microsoft WindowsMicrosoft Windows
Microsoft Windows is a series of operating systems produced by Microsoft.Microsoft introduced an operating environment named Windows on November 20, 1985 as an add-on to MS-DOS in response to the growing interest in graphical user interfaces . Microsoft Windows came to dominate the world's personal...
, as well as the Xbox 360
Xbox 360
The Xbox 360 is the second video game console produced by Microsoft and the successor to the Xbox. The Xbox 360 competes with Sony's PlayStation 3 and Nintendo's Wii as part of the seventh generation of video game consoles...
and PlayStation 3
PlayStation 3
The is the third home video game console produced by Sony Computer Entertainment and the successor to the PlayStation 2 as part of the PlayStation series. The PlayStation 3 competes with Microsoft's Xbox 360 and Nintendo's Wii as part of the seventh generation of video game consoles...
. All versions contain the same content, with the exception of the Xbox 360 pre-order. If pre-ordered at GameStop, a code was given to access a creature that allows access to inventory storage anywhere in the world as long as both players are signed into Xbox Live. It is also available to purchase as DLC. The main difference is in the UI, which has been designed in attempt to allow optimal control for the hardware differences of each platform.
Multiplayer
Multiplayer mode features "hot-swapping" capabilities, which allows players to leave their single playerSingle player
A Single-player video game is a video game where input from only one player is expected throughout the course of the gaming session. "Single-player game" usually implies a game that can only be played by one person, while "single-player mode" usually refers to a game mode for a single player, where...
campaign, join a friend's game in multiplayer, then return to their single player campaign at the point they left off while retaining any levels and items that they received while in their friend's multiplayer game.
All platforms allow a variety of game modes, with five distinct multiplayer modes, with the maximum number of players varying based on the platform and game type:
- Microsoft WindowsMicrosoft WindowsMicrosoft Windows is a series of operating systems produced by Microsoft.Microsoft introduced an operating environment named Windows on November 20, 1985 as an add-on to MS-DOS in response to the growing interest in graphical user interfaces . Microsoft Windows came to dominate the world's personal...
: Maximum of 16 players per game for PvP or free play, and 5 players (PvE - Players Versus Environment) for the Campaign Co-Op Mode. - PlayStation 3PlayStation 3The is the third home video game console produced by Sony Computer Entertainment and the successor to the PlayStation 2 as part of the PlayStation series. The PlayStation 3 competes with Microsoft's Xbox 360 and Nintendo's Wii as part of the seventh generation of video game consoles...
: Maximum of 4 players via PlayStation Network, or 2 offline. - Xbox 360Xbox 360The Xbox 360 is the second video game console produced by Microsoft and the successor to the Xbox. The Xbox 360 competes with Sony's PlayStation 3 and Nintendo's Wii as part of the seventh generation of video game consoles...
: Maximum of 4 players via Xbox LiveXbox LiveXbox Live is an online multiplayer gaming and digital media delivery service created and operated by Microsoft Corporation. It is currently the only online gaming service on consoles that charges users a fee to play multiplayer gaming. It was first made available to the Xbox system in 2002...
, or 2 offline.
Sacred 3
On August 9, 2009, Deep Silver announced their plans for a sequel with a working title Sacred 3Sacred 3
Sacred 3 is an upcoming action role-playing game. It will be the third full game in the Sacred video game series. Deep Silver, which acquired the license to Sacred 3 from former development studio Ascaron Entertainment, announced at Gamescom that it would be publishing the game in 2011-2012...
. A year later, in August 2010, Sacred 3
Sacred 3
Sacred 3 is an upcoming action role-playing game. It will be the third full game in the Sacred video game series. Deep Silver, which acquired the license to Sacred 3 from former development studio Ascaron Entertainment, announced at Gamescom that it would be publishing the game in 2011-2012...
was officially announced.
Reception
| Publication | Score |
|---|---|
| PC | |
| Eurogamer Eurogamer Eurogamer is a Brighton-based website focused on video games news, reviews, previews and interviews. It is operated by Eurogamer Network Ltd., which was formed in 1999 by brothers Rupert and Nick Loman. Eurogamer has grown to become one of the most important European-based websites focused on... |
6/10 |
| GameSpot GameSpot GameSpot is a video gaming website that provides news, reviews, previews, downloads, and other information. The site was launched in May 1, 1996 by Pete Deemer, Vince Broady and Jon Epstein. It was purchased by ZDNet, a brand which was later purchased by CNET Networks. CBS Interactive, which... |
7/10 |
| Game Informer Game Informer Game Informer is an American-based monthly magazine featuring articles, news, strategy, and reviews of popular video games and associated consoles. It was formed in August 1991, when FuncoLand started publishing a six-page magazine, free in all its retail locations... |
7/10 |
| IGN IGN IGN is an entertainment website that focuses on video games, films, music and other media. IGN's main website comprises several specialty sites or "channels", each occupying a subdomain and covering a specific area of entertainment... |
7.5/10 |
| Game Revolution Game Revolution Game Revolution or GR is a gaming website created in 1996. Based in Berkeley, California, the site includes reviews, previews, a gaming download area, cheats, and a merchandise store, as well as webcomics, screenshots, and videos... |
C+ |
| GameSpy GameSpy GameSpy Industries, Inc., known simply as GameSpy, is a division of IGN Entertainment, which operates a network of game websites and provides online video game-related services and software. GameSpy dates back to the 1996 release of an internet Quake server search program named QSpy. The current... |
2/5 |
| Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 | |
| Official Xbox Magazine Official Xbox Magazine Official Xbox Magazine is a monthly video game magazine which started in November 2001 around the launch of the original Xbox. A preview issue was released for E3 2001, with another preview issue for November 2001. The magazine is bundled with a disc that includes game demos, preview videos and... |
7.5/10 |
| 1UP 1UP.com 1UP.com is a video game website owned by IGN Entertainment, a division of News Corporation. Previously, the site was owned by Ziff Davis before being sold to UGO Entertainment in 2009.... |
A- |
| IGN IGN IGN is an entertainment website that focuses on video games, films, music and other media. IGN's main website comprises several specialty sites or "channels", each occupying a subdomain and covering a specific area of entertainment... |
6.5/10 |
| GameSpot GameSpot GameSpot is a video gaming website that provides news, reviews, previews, downloads, and other information. The site was launched in May 1, 1996 by Pete Deemer, Vince Broady and Jon Epstein. It was purchased by ZDNet, a brand which was later purchased by CNET Networks. CBS Interactive, which... |
7/10 |
| Game Informer Game Informer Game Informer is an American-based monthly magazine featuring articles, news, strategy, and reviews of popular video games and associated consoles. It was formed in August 1991, when FuncoLand started publishing a six-page magazine, free in all its retail locations... |
7.75/10 |
| Game Revolution Game Revolution Game Revolution or GR is a gaming website created in 1996. Based in Berkeley, California, the site includes reviews, previews, a gaming download area, cheats, and a merchandise store, as well as webcomics, screenshots, and videos... |
B |
| Game Trailers | 5.3/10 |
The PC version of Sacred 2 received fair reviews with an average critic score of 71% at Game Rankings
Game Rankings
GameRankings is a website that collects review scores from both offline and online sources to give an average rating. It indexes over 315,000 articles relating to more than 14,500 games.GameRankings is owned by CBS Interactive...
and 71 out of 100 at Metacritic
Metacritic
Metacritic.com is a website that collates reviews of music albums, games, movies, TV shows and DVDs. For each product, a numerical score from each review is obtained and the total is averaged. An excerpt of each review is provided along with a hyperlink to the source. Three colour codes of Green,...
. While the design, world map and multiplayer were praised, common criticisms were directed at the visuals and technical glitches, as well as the lack of character customization and mostly female, gender-fixed classes. The later release of the Xbox 360 and PS3 versions received a more favorable response with an average score of 73% for both platforms at Game Rankings and 74 and 75 out of 100 respectively at Metacritic. While some critics still criticized issues found in the PC versions, others found that there were fewer bugs and that the interface had been improved.