Previews

Browse in : All > Systems > Computer

Dungeon Siege II (PC)

Game Space | Review | Preview | Screenshots | Trailers | Interviews | Cheats

Release Date: Sun, 31 July 2005 19:00:00
ESRB: M for Mature
Genre: Action/RPG
Platform: Computer
Multiplayer: N/A
Developer: Gas Powered Games
Publisher: Microsoft Game Studios
<!-- start: modules/base/xartemplates/properties/showoutput-textbox.xd --> Dungeon Siege II<!-- end: modules/base/xartemplates/properties/showoutput-textbox.xd -->
Back to Game Space Page


It has been about 4 years since the release of Dungeon Siege, an enjoyable fantasy RPG. It was an action RPG, with a constant but manageable flow of combat, which is still the case in Dungeon Siege II. Dungeon Siege II puts you in a much more engaging plot than in its predecessor.

You will once again return to Aranna, but it's not the same world as before, the realm has been torn apart by a vicious civil war. In midst of the chaos, a brutal leader, Valdis, has emerged who wants to bring his order to the place no matter the cost. Against this chaotic backdrop, the lines between good and evil are blurred. It's up to you to pick your own path through the war and put a stop to Valdis before he unites the world under his tyranny. You have a good deal of freedom deciding how you overthrow Valdis through lots of interesting choices and quests. Some of the choices are as simple as what you say to a commander or a party member, and others as to how you destroy an enemy encampment.

Dungeon Siege II features a well crafted point and click movement and battle system. It also has a flexible camera system. There is a problem though; there are times when you can't see what you need to do to move on. This is easily fixed by moving to a different area; you can then you can see what you need to do. Some users might have a hard time getting used to the movement system, but the game does give you time at first to play with the camera settings and movement system.

The first twenty to thirty minutes of play walks you though all the important aspects of the game: how the skill system works, how objects work, how to use the camera, how to move around, what and how the different screens in your user interface are, and how they work, and some of your basic battle skills. This part of the game also wets your appetite with Chapter One of the story, which unfolds as you play. The only problem with how this was done is after a reinstall or logging into another username on the system you have to go through it all again.

The new branching skill tree, which is revealed in chapter one of the game is very powerful and allows players to customize their heroes as they get deeper and deeper into the adventure. More importantly, they've added what are called "Powers" to the equation. These are over-the-top special abilities that must be used sparingly, but can completely turn the tide of a battle.

Another thing you will notice is the land is very interactive. As you play, you will have to destroy certain buildings or flood areas to make your objectives; this gives you real power over your environment. You are able to use the terrain to your advantage; in chapter 2, for example, you have to set fire to outposts to meet an objective.

The new pets add a fun and useful aspect to gameplay, the pets can not only haul your stuff but they can fight with you to help you on your quest. You can even feed your pets special items to boost their powers, creating a truly unique ally.

Though you are traveling in a group most of the game, your main focus is your character. You don't have to switch between players, micromanaging every detail, making you feel more a part of the action. This alone is a nice change in RPG's as of late.
The AI for your companions has been significantly boosted. You select a party tactic and then your companions will fight accordingly. Some of these tactics are: "Hold Ground" which will order your companions to stay put and defend an area while you explore on your own, "Defensive" stance will keep your party close-by, attacking only creatures that attack the group, "Rampage" orders your team to fan out and obliterate anything they see, And "Mirror" stance tells your party to follow you and gang up on whatever creature you attack. This latter approach comes in handy for boss monsters, large opponents, or pesky casters that you want your team to focus on before dealing with minions.

To improve battle and help lower micromanaging you can give your party standing orders to cast support spells. For example, you can tell your healer to auto-cast a healing spell whenever characters drop below a certain health threshold. Your companions can also automatically summon pets, buff heroes, or debuff enemies. Leaving auto casting on can be risky if you're not paying attention, because it drains your mana quickly.

Another thing to improve warfare they allow you to customize your weapons. For example it's possible to have a weapon enchanted using resources you find in your adventures. You can also imbue certain weapons with amazing powers, though, they are not cheap.

Also enemy A.I. is much smarter; this makes the game challenging but much more playable. Groups of enemies are now treated as teams. When they attack they determine their plan of attack, then they split off to execute it on as a team. They sometimes focus on one particular character who's the biggest threat; they will use special abilities accordingly. Those who are able to do so will cast spells or heal their own team making for fun interesting battles. The first "real" battle you will have in your journey will be in chapter two right before destroying a scout tower. There are battles all through chapter one, but it is to teach you how to play the game. In chapter two you will encounter a general and a small but powerful group of men, is a fun battle with the new enemy A.I. system.

The scenery of Aranna, from forests to war torn trenches, immerses you deeply into the game by setting you in the mode and tone of the game. You will see monsters spring out of the shrubbery in an ambush or scurry away under a bush when wounded. You will also see great detail in the forests and every other aspect of the games environment.

Very detailed monsters and charters help you feel for your cause. Rippling fur, swinging chains, bits and pieces of armor, all of which are rendered with great detail, add to the game's feel. Some of your enemies are somewhat over the top, but that seemed to be a trademark of its predecessor.

Music helps set the mood while moving about the different lands and objectives, which helps immerse you in the game. Shooting an enemy with an arrow through the head has a nice ring to it. The sound effects are very fitting and really help set the mood for civil war. The voice acting really needs some improvement, however; it really almost kills what story is there. That being said it's not an end all as the environment, music, and sound effects, set the mood and tone to the game, and with better voice acting could be the RPG of the year.

The only things that hurt this game are the lack of innovation in the overall graphics, and of course the voice acting. The story, though in need of polishing, is immersive and original. Dungeon Siege II should be in every true RPG fans collection, and is a great starter game for any novice to the RPG world.

Note: The developer has told us a good portion of the voice acting is a place holder. Given the early release of the preview this is highly probable, but to give far coverage to out users we have left our preview completing intact. Please also note, anything in game is subject to change prior to release.

Reviewed By:EG Admin Reviewed On: Sat, 30 April 2005 22:15:50 Read: 654

There are no comments attached to this item.

Post a new comment

BBCode Actions : Close Tags

Name : Anonymous


Keywords :
  • Dungeon
  • II
  • Siege

    • Ratings 0 %
    %

    Keywords related articles:
    •DUNGEON EXPLORER WARRIORS OF ANCIENT ARTS GOES GOLD ON PSP AND NINTENDO DS  (Jan 31, 2008)
    The Return of Hudson Entertainment's Multiplayer Action RPG Franchise Introduces All-New Stories and New Game Play Elements Next Month
    Read More

    •Dungeon Explorer DS and PSP Now Available  (Feb 12, 2008)
    Hudson Entertainment's Classic RPG Franchise Returns, Bringing Two Different Game Play Experiences &amp; Stories to Handheld Platforms
    Read More

    •Hudson Releases More Info and Assets on Dungeon Explorer's Unique Fighting Style Big Bang Arts  (Jan 23, 2008)
    Big Bang Arts exclusive to the PSP version of Hudson's upcoming classic action RPG franchise
    Read More

    •Gamecock Media Group And Firefly Studios Bringing "Dungeon Hero" To PC And Xbox 360  (Jun 07, 2007)
    World's First Authentic Dungeon Crawler Set For Early 2009
    Read More

    •NCsoft Unveils Dungeon Runners Game With A Free-to-Download and Play Business Model  (May 29, 2007)
    NCsoft North America announced it has opened to the public its first free-to-download and play game, Dungeon Runners.
    Read More

    •Virtual Console Monday: Jan 8th - Press release  (Jan 08, 2007)
    Today Nintendo adds three new classic games to the popular Wii video game system's Wii Shop Channel.
    Read More

    •2K Announces Dungeon Siege II: Deluxe Edition For PC  (Sep 12, 2006)
    Deluxe Edition will feature Dungeon Siege II, the Broken World Expansion Pack and an Array of Collectible Items
    Read More

    •Nintendo Offers Bonus Item For Fans Pre-Ordering Pokemon Mystery Dungeon  (Aug 21, 2006)
    Have you ordered your copy of <em>Pokemon Mystery Dungeon</em> yet?
    Read More

    •2K Games Announces Dungeon Siege II: Broken World Has Gone Gold  (Jul 19, 2006)
    Add-On To Critically Acclaimed RPG Dungeon Siege II ships to North American Retailers on August 1st
    Read More

    •Microsoft Unleashes Dungeon Siege II on North America  (Aug 22, 2005)
    Spectacular Sequel Adds Greater Depth, Richer Story and More Intense Combat to Award-Winning Gameplay
    Read More

    •Adventurers Called to Arms as Dungeon Siege II Goes Gold  (Jul 19, 2005)
    Microsoft Game Studios and Gas Powered Games today announced that Dungeon Siege II, the ambitious sequel to Chris Taylor's best-selling, award-winning action role-playing game Dungeon Siege, has gone gold.
    Read More

    •DreamCatcher's Dungeon Lords Reaches Beta Status  (Mar 02, 2005)
    Announces Additional Call for Beta Test Applications
    Read More

    •Wolf of the Battlefield: Commando 3 hits Xbox LIVE  (Jun 11, 2008)
    Wanted to let you know that "Wolf of the Battlefield: Commando 3" will be available on Xbox LIVE Arcade today, following release of the game on the PlayStation Network Store last week.
    Read More

    •cdv Software Entertainment USA to Bring Theatre of War to North American Retail  (Mar 28, 2008)
    cdv is pleased to announce the signing of an agreement with developer Battlefront.com to publish Theatre of War in North America
    Read More

    •EA and ID Software Announce Orcs & Elves Ships Today for the Nintendo DS  (Nov 13, 2007)
    Fantasy Role Playing Game is One of the First Titles to Cross Over to the Nintendo DS from Mobile Phones
    Read More

    •Wii-kly Update: Three New Classic Games Announced For Wii Shop Channel  (Oct 29, 2007)
    This Halloween, you needn't leave your own living room to encounter spooky spirits and creepy creatures from mysterious otherworlds.
    Read More

    •Stardock Announces Galactic Civilizations II: Twilight of the Arnor  (Aug 23, 2007)
    The battle for galactic supremacy rages on in Galactic Civilizations II: Twilight of the Arnor
    Read More

    •Two Classics Merge Together for the First Time with Age of Empires III Gold Edition  (Jul 27, 2007)
    RTS fanatics and first-timers alike to conquer the Americas with '"Age of Empires III' and '"Age of Empires III: The WarChiefs' package
    Read More

    •Hour of Victory Arrives As Midway Ships Cinematic World War II First-Person Shooter  (Jun 26, 2007)
    Console-Exclusive Xbox 360 Title Available in Stores Now
    Read More

    •Galactic Civilizations II: Dark Avatar 1.6 Released  (Jun 07, 2007)
    New graphics engine and new features highlight award-winning strategy game update
    Read More

    •Hour of Victory Approaches  (May 24, 2007)
    Demo To Go Live Next Week On Xbox LIVE Marketplace
    Read More

    •Gauntlet II Coming to PS3  (May 02, 2007)
    Downloadable via the PlayStation network on May 3rd.
    Read More

    •Playlogic Announces Acquisition of "Obscure II"  (Apr 16, 2007)
    Hydravision's Survival Horror game added to the Playlogic line-up
    Read More

    •GSP Adds New Games To White Label!  (Mar 22, 2007)
    GSP has just added 4 fantastic new titles to its best-selling White Label games range.
    Read More

    •Hour of Victory Approaches; MIDWAY Announces a new WorldWar II Experience Exclusively for XBOX 360  (Jan 29, 2007)
    First Person Shooter Places Gamers In Pivotal Role As One of Three Expert Operatives in Cinematic Battles Across Europe and North Africa
    Read More

    •Autodesk's 3D Software Shapes Innovative Interactive Games Gamer Profile  (Dec 20, 2006)
    Changing as New Titles Break Down Stereotypes and Gender Barriers
    Read More

    •EA'S THE LORD OF THE RINGS, THE BATTLE FOR MIDDLE-EARTH II, THE RISE OF THE WITCH-KING HAS SHIPPED FOR THE PC  (Nov 28, 2006)
    Award-Winning Game Franchise Expansion Pack Allows Fans to Explore New Depths of Middle-earth<br>
    Read More

    •EA'S THE LORD OF THE RINGS, THE BATTLE FOR MIDDLE-EARTH II, THE RISE OF THE WITCH-KING FOR THE PC HAS GONE GOLD  (Nov 15, 2006)
    Award-Winning Game Franchise Expansion Pack Allows Fans to Explore New Depths of Middle-earth <br>
    Read More

    •Systemax Launches Sabre II Gaming PC Based on New Intel Core 2 Extreme Quad-Core Processor  (Nov 14, 2006)
    At just $3,999.99, Systemax enters the market at an attractive price point for gamers and power users looking to get their hands on the industry's latest technology
    Read More

    •RedOctane Partners with Music Companies for Guitar Hero II In-Game Partners  (Nov 02, 2006)
    Rock 'n Roll Videogame to Feature a Multitude of Real Life Music Companies
    Read More

    •Piggyback Squares Up For Another Lavish Guide  (Oct 02, 2006)
    King of Guides Offers Comprehensive KINGDOM HEARTS II Companion<br>
    Read More

    •Be the First to Play KINGDOM HEARTS II, this Friday at HMV Oxford Street.  (Sep 27, 2006)
    The second instalment of the Disney and Square-Enix classic, Kingdom Hearts, to be unveiled at HMV, Oxford Street this Friday.
    Read More

    •RedOctane Announces Guitar Hero II For Xbox 360  (Sep 27, 2006)
    Next-Generation Game to Deliver Downloadable Content and New Guitar Hero X-Plorer Controller
    Read More

    •Activision Showcases Xbox 360 Line-Up At Microsoft's X06 Event In Barcelona  (Sep 27, 2006)
    RedOctane Confirms Guitar Hero II For Xbox 360 Video Game and Entertainment System
    Read More

    •Dolby Technology to Power the Sound of the Wii Console  (Sep 25, 2006)
    Dolby Laboratories announced today that the Wii gaming console from Nintendo Co. will use Dolby Pro Logic II technology to offer gamers an immersive surround sound experience.
    Read More

    •LEGO Star Wars II: The Original Trilogy Sells More Than 1.1 Million Units Worldwide in One Week  (Sep 21, 2006)
    The "block"-buster from LucasArts and TT Games is one of the galaxy's most popular family games of all time
    Read More

    •Darth Vader in a Bikini?  (Sep 13, 2006)
    LucasArts and TT Games Ship LEGO Star Wars II: The Original Trilogy, One of the Most Anticipated Family Entertainment Titles of 2006
    Read More

    •Lineage II Chronicle 5: Oath of Blood  (Sep 07, 2006)
    Vanquishing Monsters in Lineage II
    Read More

    •Return to Rengoku  (Aug 23, 2006)
    Seven Deadly Sins... and eight deadly levels... as Konami's PSP action-packed sequel arrives
    Read More

    •Guitar Hero II European Release Date Confirmed  (Aug 22, 2006)
    Remember, remember: It'll be out in November RedOctane and Activision Reveal That Europe Won't Have To Wait Long For This Must-Have Follow-up
    Read More

    •Street Fighter II' Hyper Fighting' punches its way into Xbox Live Arcade Wednesdays on August 2  (Aug 02, 2006)
    <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;;">One of the most anticipated games of the summer, Street Fighter II' Hyper Fighting' hits Xbox Live Arcade today, </span><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;;">Wednesday, August 2</span>
    Read More

    •Stardock Entertainment Unveils Galactic Civilizations II: Dark Avatar and Worldwide Publishing Division  (Jun 22, 2006)
    Stardock Entertainment today announced the first expansion to its award-winning strategy game, Galactic Civilizations II: Dread Lords, as well as a new worldwide-publishing division operating under the Stardock Entertainment brand.
    Read More

    •EA SHIPS THE LORD OF THE RINGS, THE BATTLE FOR MIDDLE-EARTH II AND THE LORD OF THE RINGS, THE BATTLE FOR MIDDLE-EARTH II COLLECTOR'S EDITION  (Feb 28, 2006)
    Highly Anticipated PC Game Ships Nationwide Today
    Read More

    •EA announces The Lord of the Rings, The Battle for Middle-Earth II Collector's Edition  (Jan 10, 2006)
    Highly Anticipated PC Sequel to Offer First Ever Collector's Edition Full of Bonus Content
    Read More

    •Empire Earth II Multiplayer Demo Coming April 4th!  (Mar 30, 2005)
    New Demo to Include Both Single- and Multi-Player Options
    Read More

    •EverQuest II Shipped Today (PC)  (Nov 09, 2004)
    EverQuest II sets new standards in graphical realism as players are immersed in the game's epic storyline with thousands of other players online. Players will encounter more than 160 unique creatures as they journey across the majestic landscape of rolling hills, lush forests and bustling cities. Thousands of new items, hundreds of magical new spells and unlimited adventure await all who enter the world of EverQuest II.
    Read More

    •First patch for Kohan II: Kings of War  (Nov 01, 2004)
    New Maps, Improved Performance and More Added to Award-Winning Strategy Hit
    Read More

    •VCO First Siege Guild TheBlackHand  (Mar 05, 2007)
    The most anticipated Siege War in Voyage Century Online started shooting on February in Athens Port. Unprecedented large-scale sea battles came on passionately.
    Read More

    Options :
    View Article Map
    View Archives