Warlock 2: The Exiled is the latest game from Paradox Interactive. If you are not familiar with Warlock, it is a turn based Hex strategy game much the same as Civilisation. However, rather than a single map with known historical figures, you play in a land of Great Mages and across Worlds.
Each level of the world has portals in it to the other realms, and your main goal is to pass through all the portals until you reach Ardania. Once back in Ardania you will face your greatest threat: The Four Vicars of the United One. Conquer all who oppose you, reclaim your home and take your revenge. Going through the portals will require you to clear out the area beside them if controlled by enemy Mages or Wild Creatures, or sometimes you simply need to complete a quest first. One of the early portals even has a quest inspired from a Monty Python film, I’m sure you can guess what it is!
The gameplay is much the same as Civilization, if you are used to that, only there is no such thing as a diplomatic victory. You get to control and build up cities, train and upgrade units, and research new technology. Only the technology in Warlock 2 is new spells that you can summon. Once you have unlocked a spell you can summon it on any turn, though the more powerful spells will take a turn or two to charge. There is a wide variety of spells, from heals and buffs, damage or area damage, to environmental or city effect spells. Some of the spells are specific to the Great Mage you choose, with over a dozen to choose from and the option to create your own to suit your play style.
The game has two campaign modes for you to choose from, either the Sandbox “Master of the Arcane” mode, or the story mode of the path of the Exiled, a revenge tale full of twists and turns, where you strike back at those who banished you from the world of Ardania. Whichever mode you play there is lots to think about from your choice of mage to choice of race and city development plans. The maps are randomly generated and you can use the terrain to your advantage not only on the battlefield but on how you develop your cities. Armies and spells not quite doing it for you? Well there are also great heroes available for you to recruit to help you on your quests.
Those of you who played Warlock: Master of the Arcane will already be excited about Warlock 2: The Exiled and can expect much of the same but with a big graphical improvement, along with the features mentioned above. For those who haven’t looked at the Warlock games before, if you are familiar with Paradox Interactive games, or indeed Civilization type games, you should definitely be looking forward to getting your hands on Warlock 2: The Exiled for its deep campaign modes that can be played either in single or multiplayer.
Warlock 2: The Exiled will be released on April 10th, 2014.