That's the problem with games today. We get a great game, then if the sequel isn't up to par it feels like it sucks. But if you get a first game that really stinks, as long as the sequel is only slightly better it's an awesome improvement .
Having said that, I actually enjoyed the first game once I got forced myself to play past the first hour or so. So if this really is an improvement over its predecessor, I should hae no problems with it.
I just finished downloading it (thank you Gamersgate and your poor site coding ) so I'll leave my opinions about it later.
EDIT: Just finished the dungeon part of the prologue and I have to say I'm impressed. Though I never judge a game by its review, here's my own personal impressions.
Graphics:
As I'm often heard to be saying, I never put much stock in fancy graphics. However, it's easy to say that Two Worlds II engine is a definite improvement over the original, but I think we can all agree that that doesn't really take much work.
There's consistant quality in models and lighting where the original was all over the place depending where you were. There are some dodgy textures, where some seem extremely detailed where others seem very low. However, I've only seen one of two examples of this so far so it's nothing to cry over.
My only real gripe is with character animations. They seem very half-assed, or maybe it's a limitation of the engine, I couldn't say. For example, lip synch... well, isn't. Characters look like they're just flapping their jaws (read: Thunderbirds). Also, there seems to be very little in the way of expressions, i.e. eyebrow movement. Despite not being bothered with graphics, I do think that if you're going to do something, you should do it properly.
It's also possible for the player to customise the main character this time around. It's nothing compared to, say, Fallout 3/NV character creation, or other such RPG's, but it's enough to be able to make your character unique.
Story:
I can't say much on the story. As I mentioned, I'm not very far into the prologue so I can't say much about the story. What I've seen so far though seems like a very stereotypical fantasy story and somewhat close to the story of the original. However, having said that, I'm a great fan of so-called stereotypical fantasy scenarios no matter how many times they're re-used, so I look forward to this one.
Gameplay & Controls:
Gameplay is smooth and easy to jump in to without much fuss. The control scheme is your average mouse-look, WASD to move, space to jump, f to draw/sheath your weapon, etc. It's been a while since I've encountered a game which uses the function keys to open the inventory/map/etc, but it doesn't bother me any. As far as I know, the control scheme is completely re-mappable anyway for those who prefer a different layout.
I'm not a great fan of the "sniper mode" though. It seems like a lot of work for such a simple action. I enjoy the option of being able to "mark" multiple targets, but this isn't your average right-click-for-better-accuracy-while-mobs-are-raining-down-on-me sniping. I can't see myself using this function very much unless I have a definite avantage in terms of being hidden.
I'd like to make a quick mention of the assassination mode. I definitely enjoy the addition of this and forsee great fun with it >D.
UPDATE: Having played further into the game, the horse controls are just as horrendous as the previous game. If there was one feature which needed an overhall it was horse riding. They've definitely overhauled it... for the worse, unfortunately. Unless you're travelling in a perfectly straight line, it's extremely difficult to control. Unfortunately though, you don't have much choice in whether or not to use a horse, as travelling the required distances on foot is implausible at best.
Voice Acting/Dialogue:
This isn't something I'd usually comment on, but when it came to Two Worlds, it really was better to turn the volume down when it came to dialogue. Thankfully, there's no more Prithee this, and Pray Tell that. While I don't mind that kind of dialogue in the right setting and when used correctly, but TW, to put it politely, took the biscuit.
Dialogue in TWII is much improved and the voice acting is well done if not 100% convincing. There's a few times where I've found the subtitles move quicker or slower than the voice acting, and the audio will skip the very end of a dialogue or switch quickly to the next sentence, somewhat killing the immersion, but I can hardly complain when it's this much improved over the original.
Overview:
I'm not a great fan of comparing games. I think they should stand up on their own or not at all. To say "I miss XX features from XX game" or "the gameplay we've come to enjoy in XX game is missing in this game and so is crap" is definitely unfair and should be kept out of the reviewing process. Having said that though, TWII is definitely a game which should be compared to its predecessor. A game which is this much of an improvement over a previous title deserves to be knighted. As I've also mentioned, I enjoyed the original after a while, but this game is in another galaxy in terms of... well, everything. Change the title and you wouldn't be able to tell it's related in any way to the original.
All in all, TWII is definitely worth a try for those looking for their RPG fix, and to give the Two Worlds universe a second chance.
(I've left out any thoughts on Multiplayer, as I very rarely touch anything multiplayer, and TWII is no different. Also, there's a lot of things I simply can't comment on as I'm not far enough into the game, such as the levelling/skill systems.)
[Edited by Skyheart, 11/10/2010 10:28:49 PM]
[Edited by Skyheart, 11/11/2010 4:25:00 AM]
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