Warlords Battlecry II
Encyclopedia
Warlords Battlecry II is a real-time strategy
and role-playing game
, developed by SSG
as the sequel to Warlords Battlecry
. It was released on 12 March 2002. The game requires the player to build buildings and create units in order to defeat the enemy, whilst sending their hero on optional quests.
The game is set within the world of Etheria
. In the campaign the player must take control of one of the twelve races and capture all sixty-seven regions of the land in a non-linear manner. The player does this whilst assuming the role of a "Hero" which he or she has created. There are twelve different playable races, each with their own type of Hero, buildings and resource dependencies.
The game was well-received by critics and users alike, with an average score of 82/100 on Metacritic
. Warlords Battlecry III
, the sequel
to the game, was released in 2004.
Primarily a real-time strategy
game, the main objective of Warlords Battlecry II is to build up a base and army
in order to fight enemies. A game will usually end when all but one of the players has been defeated, although there are some minor differences depending on which victory condition is selected. Most buildings and units are created by spending resources, while some buildings and units can also be summoned by certain units.
There are twelve different playable races, each with its own strengths, weaknesses and resource dependencies. There are roughly a hundred and forty controllable units which will fight and, in some cases, build buildings.
The game also features some basic role-playing elements including leveling-up characters and completing optional quests. In addition to these units, the player controls a Hero which they have created before playing. The Hero
is a unique unit which, as well as being able to fight and build buildings, can cast spells
and receive quest
s. Depending on the outcome of a battle, the Hero will receive experience point
s and level up, as is common in many role-playing games.
There are two main game modes: the campaign
and skirmish mode. The campaign is non-linear, with a goal of conquering the entire continent of Etheria (the land in which the game is set). Skirmish games can be played against computer-controlled
enemies and other human players. All the game modes and victory conditions available in the campaign are playable, as well as some multiplayer
-only modes. The game also comes with a level editor
.
announced that a sequel to Warlords Battlecry
was in development and was at the stages of beta-testing. The game was slated to feature a non-linear campaign (as opposed to the linear, story-driven campaign of the game's predecessor) and feature almost a hundred and forty different unit types (sixty of which would be brand new), twelve races (nine from the previous game, three created specifically for this game), 20 hero classes and more than a hundred spells and special abilities.
Six days later, on October 10, 2001 a new official website was launched, featuring a summary of the game's features as well as screenshots, desktop wallpapers, message boards and information on the armies and races. Over the following months, details concerning the units and races were added to the website. After the game's release the website provided a source of official downloads. Patches, custom AIs, scenarios and tools were made available to download.
On 5 February 2002 SSG released a 100MB demo of the game. It featured two maps, two playable races, and two spell spheres. It was made available for download from the German Ubisoft
website. Ubisoft announced on 21 February that the game had gone gold and was on target for its release date of March 12. This target was met and on 12 March the game was released across the U.S.
, with a retail price of $39.99.
The game generally received positive reviews, with Metacritic
giving an average score of 82 out of 100 ("generally favourable reviews"). The Armchair Empire said that "...[playing the] game has been the most fun I’ve had in playing an RTS since Dungeon Keeper 2
and Warcraft II: Tides of Darkness
". The review site rated the game 8.9/10. PC Gamer US described the game as "welcome on my computer for a long time to come", in particular praising the non-linear campaign and the sheer scope of the game, awarding it 90%. IGN
stated that "...[Warlords Battlecry II] may not have a ton of really noticeable new things when it comes down to the real-time strategy aspect of play, but it definitely had enough to draw me through my jaded curtain and get me playing and interested again". It too praised the campaign, giving the game an overall rating of 8.5 out of a possible 10.
GameSpot
, whilst describing the game as "a solid real-time strategy game" and giving it a rating of 8.2 out of 10, noted that "[the game] doesn't take a big leap forward". According to the game's Metacritic page, this was an opinion held by many reviewers. Another criticism concerned the game's save feature. Despite the positive review the game received from The Armchair Empire, it criticised the save feature. The review described how "....during battles, saves are unlimited, but there [can be only one saved game (the most recent save)], meaning that a save at an inopportune time is worse than no save at all".
UGO
praised the AI, stating, "It seldom uses a tank rush until the very end. Rather, it'll often feint, spy and harass you. It'll often send its hero to convert your mines, to draw your units away from your town to chase him back to his city hall, while other units invade your area. It'll send minor units to hack at your buildings, and it is very good at hiding its numbers using the Fog of War. At the start of a campaign, the computer is pretty much a pushover, but as the game progresses, you'll often find your hands full."
According to the game's official website, the game received three awards: PC Gamer US' Editor's Choice award, Computer Gaming World's Editor's Choice award and Computer Games Magazines' Editor's Choice award.
Real-time strategy
Real-time strategy is a sub-genre of strategy video game which does not progress incrementally in turns. Brett Sperry is credited with coining the term to market Dune II....
and role-playing game
Role-playing game
A role-playing game is a game in which players assume the roles of characters in a fictional setting. Players take responsibility for acting out these roles within a narrative, either through literal acting, or through a process of structured decision-making or character development...
, developed by SSG
Strategic Studies Group
Strategic Studies Group, commonly known as SSG, is an Australian software development company that makes primarily strategy wargames.The company was founded by strategy game enthusiasts Ian Trout and Roger Keating. Ian was proprietor of a military books store and Roger had had several of his games...
as the sequel to Warlords Battlecry
Warlords Battlecry
Warlords Battlecry was a real-time strategy computer game released in 1999. It was the first of new series of RTS games set in Steve Fawkner's successful, formerly turn-based, Warlords franchise....
. It was released on 12 March 2002. The game requires the player to build buildings and create units in order to defeat the enemy, whilst sending their hero on optional quests.
The game is set within the world of Etheria
Etheria
Etheria is a Filipino fantasy television series that was produced by GMA Network. The full title of the series is Etheria: Ang Ikalimang Kaharian ng Encantadia , referring to Encantadia, its predecessor series...
. In the campaign the player must take control of one of the twelve races and capture all sixty-seven regions of the land in a non-linear manner. The player does this whilst assuming the role of a "Hero" which he or she has created. There are twelve different playable races, each with their own type of Hero, buildings and resource dependencies.
The game was well-received by critics and users alike, with an average score of 82/100 on 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,...
. Warlords Battlecry III
Warlords Battlecry III
Warlords Battlecry III is a real-time strategy game developed by Infinite Interactive and published in 2004. It is the third installment in the Warlords Battlecry series and the sequel to Warlords Battlecry II.-Gameplay:...
, the sequel
Sequel
A sequel is a narrative, documental, or other work of literature, film, theatre, or music that continues the story of or expands upon issues presented in some previous work...
to the game, was released in 2004.
Gameplay
Real-time strategy
Real-time strategy is a sub-genre of strategy video game which does not progress incrementally in turns. Brett Sperry is credited with coining the term to market Dune II....
game, the main objective of Warlords Battlecry II is to build up a base and army
Army
An army An army An army (from Latin arma "arms, weapons" via Old French armée, "armed" (feminine), in the broadest sense, is the land-based military of a nation or state. It may also include other branches of the military such as the air force via means of aviation corps...
in order to fight enemies. A game will usually end when all but one of the players has been defeated, although there are some minor differences depending on which victory condition is selected. Most buildings and units are created by spending resources, while some buildings and units can also be summoned by certain units.
There are twelve different playable races, each with its own strengths, weaknesses and resource dependencies. There are roughly a hundred and forty controllable units which will fight and, in some cases, build buildings.
The game also features some basic role-playing elements including leveling-up characters and completing optional quests. In addition to these units, the player controls a Hero which they have created before playing. The Hero
Hero
A hero , in Greek mythology and folklore, was originally a demigod, their cult being one of the most distinctive features of ancient Greek religion...
is a unique unit which, as well as being able to fight and build buildings, can cast spells
Magic (gaming)
Some role-playing games or game systems can include a set of rules that are used to portray magic in the paranormal sense. These rules simulate the effects that magic would have within the game context, according to how the game designer intended the magic to be portrayed...
and receive quest
Quest
In mythology and literature, a quest, a journey towards a goal, serves as a plot device and as a symbol. Quests appear in the folklore of every nation and also figure prominently in non-national cultures. In literature, the objects of quests require great exertion on the part of the hero, and...
s. Depending on the outcome of a battle, the Hero will receive experience point
Experience point
An experience point is a unit of measurement used in many role-playing games and role-playing video games to quantify a player character's progression through the game...
s and level up, as is common in many role-playing games.
There are two main game modes: the campaign
Campaign (role-playing games)
In role-playing games, a campaign is a continuing storyline or set of adventures, typically involving the same characters. The purpose of the continuing storyline is to introduce a further aspect into the game: that of development, improvement, and growth of the characters. In a campaign, a...
and skirmish mode. The campaign is non-linear, with a goal of conquering the entire continent of Etheria (the land in which the game is set). Skirmish games can be played against computer-controlled
Artificial intelligence
Artificial intelligence is the intelligence of machines and the branch of computer science that aims to create it. AI textbooks define the field as "the study and design of intelligent agents" where an intelligent agent is a system that perceives its environment and takes actions that maximize its...
enemies and other human players. All the game modes and victory conditions available in the campaign are playable, as well as some multiplayer
Multiplayer game
A multiplayer video game is one which more than one person can play in the same game environment at the same time. Unlike most other games, computer and video games are often single-player activities that put the player against preprogrammed challenges and/or AI-controlled opponents, which often...
-only modes. The game also comes with a level editor
Level editor
A level editor is a software tool used to design levels, maps, campaigns, etc and virtual worlds for a video game. In some cases the creator of a video game releases an official level editor for a game, but other times the community of fans step in to fill the void...
.
Development
On October 4, 2001, SSGStrategic Studies Group
Strategic Studies Group, commonly known as SSG, is an Australian software development company that makes primarily strategy wargames.The company was founded by strategy game enthusiasts Ian Trout and Roger Keating. Ian was proprietor of a military books store and Roger had had several of his games...
announced that a sequel to Warlords Battlecry
Warlords Battlecry
Warlords Battlecry was a real-time strategy computer game released in 1999. It was the first of new series of RTS games set in Steve Fawkner's successful, formerly turn-based, Warlords franchise....
was in development and was at the stages of beta-testing. The game was slated to feature a non-linear campaign (as opposed to the linear, story-driven campaign of the game's predecessor) and feature almost a hundred and forty different unit types (sixty of which would be brand new), twelve races (nine from the previous game, three created specifically for this game), 20 hero classes and more than a hundred spells and special abilities.
Six days later, on October 10, 2001 a new official website was launched, featuring a summary of the game's features as well as screenshots, desktop wallpapers, message boards and information on the armies and races. Over the following months, details concerning the units and races were added to the website. After the game's release the website provided a source of official downloads. Patches, custom AIs, scenarios and tools were made available to download.
On 5 February 2002 SSG released a 100MB demo of the game. It featured two maps, two playable races, and two spell spheres. It was made available for download from the German Ubisoft
Ubisoft
Ubisoft Entertainment S.A. is a major French video game publisher and developer, with headquarters in Montreuil, France. The company has a worldwide presence with 25 studios in 17 countries and subsidiaries in 26 countries....
website. Ubisoft announced on 21 February that the game had gone gold and was on target for its release date of March 12. This target was met and on 12 March the game was released across the U.S.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, with a retail price of $39.99.
Critical reception
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,...
giving an average score of 82 out of 100 ("generally favourable reviews"). The Armchair Empire said that "...[playing the] game has been the most fun I’ve had in playing an RTS since Dungeon Keeper 2
Dungeon Keeper 2
Dungeon Keeper 2 is a strategy game developed by Bullfrog Productions and published by Electronic Arts in 1999 for Microsoft Windows. It was released in Europe and North America in June 1999. It was the sequel to Peter Molyneux's Dungeon Keeper and predecessor to the canceled Dungeon Keeper 3...
and Warcraft II: Tides of Darkness
Warcraft II: Tides of Darkness
Warcraft II: Tides of Darkness is a fantasy-themed real-time strategy game published by Blizzard Entertainment and first released for DOS in 1995 and for Mac OS in 1996...
". The review site rated the game 8.9/10. PC Gamer US described the game as "welcome on my computer for a long time to come", in particular praising the non-linear campaign and the sheer scope of the game, awarding it 90%. 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...
stated that "...[Warlords Battlecry II] may not have a ton of really noticeable new things when it comes down to the real-time strategy aspect of play, but it definitely had enough to draw me through my jaded curtain and get me playing and interested again". It too praised the campaign, giving the game an overall rating of 8.5 out of a possible 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...
, whilst describing the game as "a solid real-time strategy game" and giving it a rating of 8.2 out of 10, noted that "[the game] doesn't take a big leap forward". According to the game's Metacritic page, this was an opinion held by many reviewers. Another criticism concerned the game's save feature. Despite the positive review the game received from The Armchair Empire, it criticised the save feature. The review described how "....during battles, saves are unlimited, but there [can be only one saved game (the most recent save)], meaning that a save at an inopportune time is worse than no save at all".
UGO
UGO
UGO Entertainment, Inc. is a website providing coverage of online media in entertainment targeting males age 18–34. The company is currently based in New York, New York, United States. On July 24, 2007 it was announced that Hearst Corporation would acquire UGO Entertainment...
praised the AI, stating, "It seldom uses a tank rush until the very end. Rather, it'll often feint, spy and harass you. It'll often send its hero to convert your mines, to draw your units away from your town to chase him back to his city hall, while other units invade your area. It'll send minor units to hack at your buildings, and it is very good at hiding its numbers using the Fog of War. At the start of a campaign, the computer is pretty much a pushover, but as the game progresses, you'll often find your hands full."
According to the game's official website, the game received three awards: PC Gamer US' Editor's Choice award, Computer Gaming World's Editor's Choice award and Computer Games Magazines' Editor's Choice award.
External links
- Official website
- Warlords Battlecry II at IGNIGNIGN 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...