Review by Stuart Christie

Publisher:    Blizzard
RRP:          TBA
SPS:          TBA
Format:       CD-Rom 
Available:    Available now

Requires:

O/S:          
Processor:    486-DX33+
RAM:          8MB
Graphics:     Vesa compatible SVGA 
              (local bus recommended)
CD-Rom:       Double speed
Soundcard:    All major cards supported
Controls:     100% microsoft compatible mouse

Tested on:

Processor:    i486-DX4/100mhz
O/S:          Windows 95
RAM:          16Mb
Graphics:     S3/ Cirrus Logic CD5429
CD-ROM:       Panasonic double speed
Soundcard:    Soundblaster Pro
Controls:     Microsoft Mouse

Warcraft II

It will probably not surprise you to hear that Warcraft II (WCII) is an update of the original warcraft released by Blizzard a couple of years ago. In the game you take the part of an army commander for either the Orc or Human alliance, with the basic aim of kicking hell out of the other side.

The game is played in a series of campaigns with their own unique maps and objectives which vary from rescuing hostages, through escort missions to wiping out the enemy completely. Play is in real time using an overhead 3d perspective, Command & Conquer (C&C) style, and the individual units are controlled by using the mouse pointer and a simple yet effective set of icons.

Even though the game is in SVGA the maps are still considerably larger than the area available on the screen, but the map can be easily scrolled around when the mouse pointer gets close to the maps edge. To aid play a small map of the whole play area is shown in the corner of the screen and the view and/or units can also be controlled by clicking on this. Terrain does not appear on the map until you have explored the relevant area, and one of the new features of the game is that unless enemy units are in the area you are viewing they gradually disappears from view.

As well as fighting, WCII has you creating your own forces through the building and development of a base camp. By creating different buildings you can add to your forces, and upgrade them. For instance, building a barracks will allow you to create infantry, but adding a lumber yard will allow you to create archers or axe throwers, dependant on the side you are playing.

Buildings and units are funded and created by sending out serfs to mine gold and cut lumber, and by eventually drilling for oil. Quite a large proportion of the gameplay involves managing these resources correctly to achieve the objectives you are given.

The number of different unit types available in the game has been increased over the original, resulting in the gameplay becoming more varied and requiring more thought. Don't worry though, as things start off quite simply with one or two unit types, and then builds up slowly as you progress through the missions. There are a total of 28 different unit types and structures available per side, including various sea-going vessels and aircraft.

The game is well presented, and has a nice tidy installation program, although I found it puzzling that the map editor supplied with the game has an icon for win95 but the actual game does not??? Shame, as I like my win95 icons. Oh, and I also experienced clipping of the sound under windows as well?

Another minor annoyance that I have with this game is that there is only a finite amount of resources (gold-trees-oil) available on each map. Once these are used up you cannot produce more buildings or units. At the end of a mission this can be frustrating if you have to destroy just one more enemy structure, yet it is out at sea and you only have land units left or vice versa. Unlike C&C you cannot sell existing structures to raise resources, so if this happens you end up starting the level all over again - Arghhhhhh!!!

As I have already mentioned the inevitable comparison with this game is against Westwood Studio`s Command and Conquer. They both look similar play very similar and support pretty much the same multi-player options. Warcraft II is really just C&C in a fantasy setting, or is it C&C which is a future tech version of Warcraft 2? Whatever, if you like one you will like the other, and the totally different unit types of both games will provide each with their own challenges. I personally consider C&C the better game as it improved on the original, whereas WC2 has just taken the original concept and added to it. Still, the original was good and this is still good, its just that, if like me you played the original to death, you may just be looking for a little bit more!

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Rating: 7/10 (Good - but not great)
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