Disciples 2: Dark Prophecy

Rating:
Summary: The best turn-based fantasy wargame thus far
Review: I thought Heros of Might and Magic was supposed to be the best strategy game available. However, this game's A.I. totally blows Heros 4's A.I. away. I can beat Hero 4's A.I. while watching T.V. and talking with dinner guests. However, Disciple's A.I. totally kicks my ... sometimes. I think that's what makes a game fun--when there is a possibility to lose! If you want a challenging game go with this game. IF you want a wimpy strategy game...go with another company's games.

Rating:
Summary: This is the best Turn Based strategy game available!
Review: I thought Heros of Might and Magic was supposed to be the best strategy game available. However, this game's A.I. totally blows Heros 4's A.I. away. I can beat Hero 4's A.I. while watching T.V. and talking with dinner guests. However, Disciple's A.I. totally kicks my ... sometimes. I think that's what makes a game fun--when there is a possibility to lose! If you want a challenging game go with this game. IF you want a wimpy strategy game...go with another company's games.

Rating:
Summary: oh...disappointing...
Review: I thought it would be better..
Now I think that it's not even better than it's precurser...

Rating:
Summary: Disappearing hours
Review: I was hesitant to rate this a five star game, there are a few quarks in D2 that irritate me to no end. I realized though, that any game that can make time fly by like this one, deserves five stars. The play is very dark, as compared to other turn-based strategy games. The plot is excellently written and not for the simple minded. The scenarios are well designed with a definite artistic vision. So encompasing is the appearence that at times it is difficult to spot your smaller units. After you play the game for a few times, you'll might view this as a challange and real aspect of war; as one side you're not always sure where the other side is. There is the option to turn on a 'banner' locator for everything in the game, but i feel it detracts from the beauty. The resource system in this game is somewhat different. You must still defeat many foes to reach various resources(and these foes are rather tough even on easy), however, you do not then simply take over resources. You must use a very specialized unit, unique to every race, to claim the resource as your own. This dictates very strategic management of your funds, trust me. The battles are something akin to Ogrebattle, if you've ever played that classic. For those of you that haven't, as the controller, you see your unit with its characters faced at an angle against the enemy unit in similiar stance. Based on the speed of your individual characters, the characters take turns striking at one another or performing their allotted spells. The spells are interestingly designed, and their conduct of use is complex in its practice but easily understood. The units themselves are richly drawn, detailed to the very shadow and ripples of their garments and skins.
The few irritations I have with this game stem from the game play. When one unit is in a dwelling, that's it. you can only have one unit in a castle at at time and their are also no battle advantages to the defending unit of which I know, with the exception of raised defence. Also, your type of leader greatly limits the accompanying characters that suit him or her well. If you're looking for an enthralling game full of challenge and fun, and demanding the skills from that sponge in your head, D2 is for you. *In addition to my original review, I wish to add this: Once you play the game as one race, playing it again as another greatly changes your objectives, and the units are so different, its a totally different game. Also, the storyline is deep with this game, each race has a different perspective and the story itself is tweeked just a little for each race. Its really enjoyable because each race fills in little vague gaps in the storyline.

Rating:
Summary: Wow!
Review: I was stunned at first that I had even picked up the game because in my past experance, any turn based stratedy game execept for Heros of Might and Magic series, didn't quite fit the bill. Well this one did. I am an extreme Strategist and I loved versitility such as was presented. I am a very staisfied customer, and I am sure any true fan of turn based strategy will want to add this trinket to their collection.

Rating:
Summary: Wow!
Review: I was stunned at first that I had even picked up the game because in my past experance, any turn based stratedy game execept for Heros of Might and Magic series, didn't quite fit the bill. Well this one did. I am an extreme Strategist and I loved versitility such as was presented. I am a very staisfied customer, and I am sure any true fan of turn based strategy will want to add this trinket to their collection.

Rating:
Summary: Get this game!
Review: If you have money to buy ONLY one turn-based fantasy strategy game, there's only one that will suit your needs, Disciples II. The graphic, depth, artwork, gameplay and overall quality of this game is very high. I do not suggest you buy the two separate companion games, Guardian of Light and Servants of the Dark. They are each 1/2 of the original game. Instead, buy Disciples 2: Rise of the Elves. That game will include the core Disciple 2 game and the expansion, Rise of the Elves. Again, do NOT buy "Servants of the Dark" and "Guardian of Light."

Anyway, back to the game. In this game, simply choose one of the races (Demons, Dwarves, Human, Undead, and later Elves) and try to conquer the entire map. There are two main resources, gold and mana. You need the gold for buildings and hiring units. But you also need mana to cast some spells which can help turn the tide of battle. Remember, unlike Warcraft, gold and mana are in unlimited supply, so you do not have to worry about running out of resources.

Your units are grouped in a stack of 6 and get upgraded as you win battles. There are very different units for different races. For example, only humans have healer, while the dwarves and demons tend to have powerful melee fighters (like Giants and Greater Demons). Usually, you tend to have one very powerful stack and create a lot of weaker stacks for fodders. This is overall a very enjoyable game and quite addicting. Even if you can't find someone to play with in multiplayer mode, the campaign is fun and interesting. At the cost of this game selling today, get it now! You can thank me later.

Rating:
Summary: The best turn-based fantasy wargame thus far
Review: The original "Disciples" was a splendid addition to the turn-based strategy genre, but "Disciples 2" removes the "Heroes of Might and Magic" series forever from the throne (especially given a VERY disappointing "Heroes 4"). The graphics are out of this world; the gameplay is dead on; multiplayer rocks; and, perhaps best of all, there seem to be an unlimited number of units for your recruitment (if a very limited set of factions). It may not be as deep as the excellent "Age of Wonders 2," but "Disciples 2" takes the 1-spot on my list. Sorry, 3D0.

Rating:
Summary: Very disappointing.
Review: This game is a sad excuse for a game;(. It takes Lords of Magic and goes backwards several steps. If your intrested in a game of this type try Lords of Magic, or freeware Masters of Magic.

Rating:
Summary: Read this correction:Fine game needs description corrected
Review: This game is exactly as described in the original review but there is a very important fact which has been omitted from the description.The description really should begin as follows:"Disciples 2:Dark Prophecy is a game that TURN BASED strategy fans should own"The turned based aspect of the interface is one that should not have been omitted in the online review.Turn based games can be very tedious and some just don't enjoy the style.If you are a fan of turn based games then this is a game you should not miss,but if you like real time then it's not for you.If you missed the first in the series this is a great place to jump in with no need to go back to the first[unless you feel the need;)]There are many who say that turn based games are dead,but this offering does a great jopb of saying "not so".The graphics are gorgeous and that's where this game really shines,although there have been improvements in the interface and general gameplay.The core game is still the same as the original.Not much more to add to the product review,just be advised this IS a turn based game.To check me out just read reviews by Gamespy or other reputable game sites.A 4 star game for lovers of the genre.