Two Worlds
Encyclopedia
Two Worlds is a computer role-playing game developed by Polish
video game developer Reality Pump and published by SouthPeak Interactive
for the Xbox 360
and PC
. A sequel, Two Worlds II
, was released in Europe on November 9, 2010.
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The game takes place in a real-time three-dimensional fantasy landscape. As such it has drawn comparison with The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion
.
Much like in Oblivion and Gothic 3
, the gameplay is non-linear. The player is free to explore the game world, accepting side quests at will. There is however, a core quest, centering around rescuing the protagonist's sister, who is being held for ransom by mysterious forces who are scheming to open the tomb of Aziraal, the god
of fire
.
The game does not utilize fixed character classes like other role playing games. As the character gains experience and levels, it is possible to invest gained Attribute Points into any attribute, leading to a variety of game play styles and approaches.
The world in which the game takes place is called Antaloor. While traveling through the game the player will encounter new teleports, caves, villages, and other locations, and these travels are recorded by the in-game mini-map. Teleports allow rapid travel between explored regions. Horses are available for the player to ride as well as other animals/creatures, though a number of commentators have lamented the clumsy controls when mounted.
Death
in the game leads to resurrection
at a nearby shrine; these shrines are distributed across the game world, and also replenish health when the player comes in sufficient proximity.
There are various creatures in Two Worlds. Unlike other CRPGs with wilderness areas, enemies will not respawn, although most areas are densely populated.
Beyond the main quest there is no set storyline to follow, the player is free to choose to complete the quests of his/her liking, and explore at will. The player may choose to act as a righteous hero and be honored amongst the population, or devilishly evil and feared, through reputation gained by completing certain quests. However, the path chosen will have consequences on the outcome of the game.
system that allows the player to combine ingredients to make potion
s, weapon enhancements, traps, and bombs. Spending Skill Points on the Alchemy Skill or using more ingredients will result in more powerful potions. Ingredients can be found as plants in the wild, the body parts of animals and monsters that have been slain, and minerals and gems taken as loot or collected off the ground. Some potions can have permanent effects such as a boost to strength, health, dexterity, magic and etc.
The player can choose to work with any faction to achieve specific goals in the main quest. As is typical for the genre, players generally earn reputation with a faction by completing appropriate quests.
type. Activities include horse racing, combat and quests. Single-player and multi-player characters are kept separate and not shared between modes.
While the Xbox 360 version is limited to eight players, the PC version allows a significantly greater number. However, they must be grouped into parties of no more than eight.
Using the multiplayer element in Two Worlds allows the user to change race; neither this nor the race of Elves are present in single player mode.
The Royal Edition was released in Europe for the PC and Xbox 360 on September 7, 2007. It comes with a t-shirt, marked with the Two Worlds logo, a deck of playing cards, a poster with the world map, letter opener (only available in the PC version) and a bonus disc.
gave the game 1 star. Gameplasma gave the game a similar 7.4 for PC but a 5 for the Xbox 360. The game was criticized for its poor graphics, interface and voice acting, which was done by Reality Pump staff rather than professional voice-actors. In Germany however, where Two Worlds was first released, reception was much more positive, receiving scores between 80% and 93% by over 50 different websites and reviewers. In OXM, Two Worlds was given a score of 6.0. Most fans who seemed to like the game thought the use of early modern English and the poor script was humorous in a "so bad it's great
" way.
Since release, there have been numerous patches to improve the gameplay, graphics, and controls. The most recent patch brings the game to version 1.7.B Hyper
s Daniel Wilks commends the game for its "huge map, great character creation and lots to explore". However, he criticises the game for being "not finished, buggy as hell and [having] the worst ending ever".
In August 2008, a new version of the game including two multiplayer add-ons was released. Honest Gamers awarded the new package 5 out of 10, one mark above that awarded to the original title.
Poland
Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
video game developer Reality Pump and published by SouthPeak Interactive
SouthPeak Interactive
SouthPeak Games is a video game publisher of titles in Europe and North America.-History:SouthPeak Games, which was originally a subsidiary of SAS Institute, has been publishing games since 1996 and has worked with multiple development studios, including EAI Interactive, Psyonix Studios and...
for 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 PC
Personal computer
A personal computer is any general-purpose computer whose size, capabilities, and original sales price make it useful for individuals, and which is intended to be operated directly by an end-user with no intervening computer operator...
. A sequel, Two Worlds II
Two Worlds II
Two Worlds II is a role-playing video game developed by Polish video game developer Reality Pump and published by TopWare Interactive as a sequel to the 2007 game Two Worlds. It was released on November the 9th 2010 in mainland Europe for PC , Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. The game was released on...
, was released in Europe on November 9, 2010.
Gameplay
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion is a single-player action role-playing video game developed by Bethesda Game Studios and published by Bethesda Softworks and the Take-Two Interactive subsidiary 2K Games...
.
Much like in Oblivion and Gothic 3
Gothic 3
Gothic 3 is a fantasy-themed role-playing game for Windows from the German game developer Piranha Bytes. It is the sequel to Gothic II. Although widely available in English, the native release of the game is German. The game was released throughout the European Union on October 13, 2006 and became...
, the gameplay is non-linear. The player is free to explore the game world, accepting side quests at will. There is however, a core quest, centering around rescuing the protagonist's sister, who is being held for ransom by mysterious forces who are scheming to open the tomb of Aziraal, the god
Deity
A deity is a recognized preternatural or supernatural immortal being, who may be thought of as holy, divine, or sacred, held in high regard, and respected by believers....
of fire
Fire
Fire is the rapid oxidation of a material in the chemical process of combustion, releasing heat, light, and various reaction products. Slower oxidative processes like rusting or digestion are not included by this definition....
.
The game does not utilize fixed character classes like other role playing games. As the character gains experience and levels, it is possible to invest gained Attribute Points into any attribute, leading to a variety of game play styles and approaches.
The world in which the game takes place is called Antaloor. While traveling through the game the player will encounter new teleports, caves, villages, and other locations, and these travels are recorded by the in-game mini-map. Teleports allow rapid travel between explored regions. Horses are available for the player to ride as well as other animals/creatures, though a number of commentators have lamented the clumsy controls when mounted.
Death
Death
Death is the permanent termination of the biological functions that sustain a living organism. Phenomena which commonly bring about death include old age, predation, malnutrition, disease, and accidents or trauma resulting in terminal injury....
in the game leads to resurrection
Resurrection
Resurrection refers to the literal coming back to life of the biologically dead. It is used both with respect to particular individuals or the belief in a General Resurrection of the dead at the end of the world. The General Resurrection is featured prominently in Jewish, Christian, and Muslim...
at a nearby shrine; these shrines are distributed across the game world, and also replenish health when the player comes in sufficient proximity.
There are various creatures in Two Worlds. Unlike other CRPGs with wilderness areas, enemies will not respawn, although most areas are densely populated.
Beyond the main quest there is no set storyline to follow, the player is free to choose to complete the quests of his/her liking, and explore at will. The player may choose to act as a righteous hero and be honored amongst the population, or devilishly evil and feared, through reputation gained by completing certain quests. However, the path chosen will have consequences on the outcome of the game.
Alchemy
Two Worlds has an alchemyAlchemy
Alchemy is an influential philosophical tradition whose early practitioners’ claims to profound powers were known from antiquity. The defining objectives of alchemy are varied; these include the creation of the fabled philosopher's stone possessing powers including the capability of turning base...
system that allows the player to combine ingredients to make potion
Potion
A potion is a consumable medicine or poison.In mythology and literature, a potion is usually made by a magician, sorcerer, dragon, fairy or witch and has magical properties. It might be used to heal, bewitch or poison people...
s, weapon enhancements, traps, and bombs. Spending Skill Points on the Alchemy Skill or using more ingredients will result in more powerful potions. Ingredients can be found as plants in the wild, the body parts of animals and monsters that have been slain, and minerals and gems taken as loot or collected off the ground. Some potions can have permanent effects such as a boost to strength, health, dexterity, magic and etc.
Factions
There are seven factions within the game for which the player can complete quests to gain reputation. These are the Brotherhood, the Society, the Merchants Guild, the Giriza, the Necromancers, the House Skelden, and the Karga Clan.- The Brotherhood is a mercenary society, similar to OblivionThe Elder Scrolls IV: OblivionThe Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion is a single-player action role-playing video game developed by Bethesda Game Studios and published by Bethesda Softworks and the Take-Two Interactive subsidiary 2K Games...
's Fighters' Guild. In the main cities of the game their location can be identified by their signature red banners. Brotherhood locations in cities will usually have a trainer that offers to teach the various combat skills for a small fee, and Brotherhood shops will have the largest selections of weapons and armor. The higher the rep in the Brotherhood the cheaper it is to buy supplies. - The Society is Two Worlds answer to the Guild of Mages seen in most RPGs. In the main cities their location can be identified by blue banners. The Society locations will usually have a trainer that offers to teach the various schools of magic for a small fee. Society shops will have robes, staves, and spells for sale.
- The Merchants Guild is a guild of traders and merchants. In the main cities their location can be identified by banners emblazoned with scales. The Merchant Guild shops offer a general assortment of goods. The higher the rep in the merchants guild the cheaper it is to buy supplies.
- The Giriza is the equivalent of the Thieves' Guild. The members wear distinctive red hoods and the Giriza shops are a good source for lock picks and other thievery-related goods. Giriza trainers offer knowledge in the stealthy arts. The higher the rep the more you can sell your goods for.
- The Necromancers are the only source that will teach the ability to use the Necromancy School of Magic, but are generally shunned by polite society. The Society makes a point of stopping Necromancers from completing their goals.
- The House Skelden and the Karga Clan are two competing factions in the northern reaches of the human half of the world. The Karga Clan are the former ruling house that was supplanted by the King and Council with the House Skelden.
The player can choose to work with any faction to achieve specific goals in the main quest. As is typical for the genre, players generally earn reputation with a faction by completing appropriate quests.
Regression
Should a player decide that they are unhappy with their ability and skill point distribution, there are NPCs called "skill changers" in some of the larger cities that offer a "regression", which allows redistribution of some skill points for a certain price. Some of the Skill changers can refund more points for a greater cost, depending on the character's level and amount of experience.Multiplayer
A multiplayer element is included, though it is not of the Massively multiplayer online gameMassively multiplayer online game
A massively multiplayer online game is a multiplayer video game which is capable of supporting hundreds or thousands of players simultaneously. By necessity, they are played on the Internet, and usually feature at least one persistent world. They are, however, not necessarily games played on...
type. Activities include horse racing, combat and quests. Single-player and multi-player characters are kept separate and not shared between modes.
While the Xbox 360 version is limited to eight players, the PC version allows a significantly greater number. However, they must be grouped into parties of no more than eight.
Using the multiplayer element in Two Worlds allows the user to change race; neither this nor the race of Elves are present in single player mode.
Other versions
Two other versions of the game have been released. The Collector's Edition was released on August 23, 2007 in the U.S. It features the game, two bonus cards with codes to unlock exclusive weapons, a bonus disc, map and a handbook.The Royal Edition was released in Europe for the PC and Xbox 360 on September 7, 2007. It comes with a t-shirt, marked with the Two Worlds logo, a deck of playing cards, a poster with the world map, letter opener (only available in the PC version) and a bonus disc.
Reception
Upon initial release, Two Worlds received mixed reviews; the PC version with an average critic score of 66% while the Xbox 360 version received more negative feedback with an average critic score of 51%. GameSpot gave Two Worlds a 7.5 for the PC version, and a 7 for the Xbox 360 version. IGN gave the PC version 7.3, and the Xbox 360 version 6.8, while GamespyGameSpy
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...
gave the game 1 star. Gameplasma gave the game a similar 7.4 for PC but a 5 for the Xbox 360. The game was criticized for its poor graphics, interface and voice acting, which was done by Reality Pump staff rather than professional voice-actors. In Germany however, where Two Worlds was first released, reception was much more positive, receiving scores between 80% and 93% by over 50 different websites and reviewers. In OXM, Two Worlds was given a score of 6.0. Most fans who seemed to like the game thought the use of early modern English and the poor script was humorous in a "so bad it's great
Camp (style)
Camp is an aesthetic sensibility that regards something as appealing because of its taste and ironic value. The concept is closely related to kitsch, and things with camp appeal may also be described as being "cheesy"...
" way.
Since release, there have been numerous patches to improve the gameplay, graphics, and controls. The most recent patch brings the game to version 1.7.B Hyper
Hyper (magazine)
Hyper is a multi-platform Australian video game magazine. Australia's longest running gaming magazine, it has been in publication since 1993, and was released the same month as the better known UK magazine Edge...
s Daniel Wilks commends the game for its "huge map, great character creation and lots to explore". However, he criticises the game for being "not finished, buggy as hell and [having] the worst ending ever".
In August 2008, a new version of the game including two multiplayer add-ons was released. Honest Gamers awarded the new package 5 out of 10, one mark above that awarded to the original title.