Disciples II: Dark Prophecy 1.0

CNET editors' review

Reviewed by: CNET Staff

Combination of simplicity of rules with strategic depth is what makes Disciples II a great game title. You hire heros, which can lead up to five units each to capture castles as well as build garrisons and auxiliary armies to hold your land. We especially liked that Disciples II incorporates role-playing game features such as the ability to gain experience; this attribute makes the game very addictive. As your army wins one battle after another, you and your armies gain new tricks and abilities. Combat is based on initiative of units: faster units strike earlier than slower ones. In each round of combat the game finds the unit with highest initiative, lets it hit, then finds the unit with second highest initiative, gives it an ability to act, and so on till the unit with lowest initiative value has done his job. Then a new round starts, and the battle continues untill all units of one side are dead. Striking earlier than the opponent can mean difference between victory and defeat. To win you have to combine strengths of melee fighters, spellcasters, and ranged units. Given the game's excellent graphics and superb music, we found listening to and watching it almost as enjoyable as playing. In Dark Prophecy you can play for four races: Empire (excels in melee fighers and healers), Clans (units are very tough, but slow), Legions of the Damned (good spellcasters and demons), and Undead Hordes (tricky special units). Overall, Disciples II is a must-have for all serious strategy buffs, who will no doubt cringe at the three-hour trial limitation as far too short. Interested gamers may also look for Disciples II: Rise of the Elves for an additional race of Elves, which are excellent bowmen.

Publisher's description

From Strategy First :

Disciples II: Dark Prophecy returns gamers to the magical realm of the Sacred Lands where four races - the Empire, the Mountain Clans, the Legions of the Damned, and the Undead Hordes - continue the battle for the destiny of their Gods. A decade after the First Great War, the final prophecy continues to unfold. Deep within the crevices of the Sacred Lands, the Chosen One has emerged, fated to bring salvation to some and destruction to others. Braced with renewed faith and newfound conviction, each race must once again take up the sword for the sake of their people and the glory of their God.

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