Sacred 2: Fallen Angel
Standard edition cover art (Windows)
Developer(s)	Ascaron
Publisher(s)	cdv Software Entertainment[1] Deep Silver
Designer(s)	Bob Bates (Producer)
Composer(s)	Dynamedion Blind Guardian[2] (Theme music) Pedro Macedo Camacho[3] [4] (Additional music)
Series	Sacred
Platform(s)	Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360
Release date(s)	Microsoft Windows EU November 7, 2008[5] NA November 11, 2008 PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 NA May 12, 2009[6] EU June 5, 2009[7]
Genre(s)	Action role-playing
Mode(s)	Single-player, Multiplayer
Rating(s)	ESRB: M
Media	Blu-ray Disc, DVD
System requirements	2.4 GHz Processor (singlecore) or 2 GHz Processor (dualcore), 1 GB RAM, 20 GB HDD, 256 MB Graphic Card (nVidia GeForce 6800 or newer or ATI Radeon X800 or newer)
Input methods	Keyboard and mouse, Gamepad

Sacred 2: Fallen Angel is the second full game in the Sacred series. It is a prequel which takes place 2,000 years before the events of Sacred. Like its predecessor, the game takes place in a fantasy setting. A new game engine means that the game is rendered in perspective correct 3D, whilst retaining the viewpoint found in older isometric games. Video game designer Bob Bates has been involved in its production, the game also includes a video sequence with the power metal band Blind Guardian, who also made a theme song for the game.

The PC version was released in late 2008, the console versions were delayed until 2009 with the discs being pressed in April 2009 for a May release,^[8] in April the developing company Ascaron, went into administration citing the extended development as the reason.^[9]. An add-on titled Ice & Blood was released Oct 2nd for European PC players only. All support and add-ons for the US PC and console versions has been dropped.

Contents 1 Plot 2 Gameplay 2.1 Campaigns 2.2 World 2.3 Classes 2.4 Mounts 2.5 Quests 2.6 Customization 3 Platforms 4 Multiplayer 5 Sacred 3 6 Reception 7 References 8 External links

[edit] Plot

A mysterious force called T-Energy is the source of all life and magic in Ancaria. It was originally solely under the control of the ancient race of Seraphim, however over time as they lost interest in the world they gave some of their control to the High Elves. With this power, the High Elves quickly became the dominant race of Ancaria.

A power struggle is raging between two factions within the High Elves. The nobility and clergy are each trying to gain control over the T-Energy. Other races take advantage of the distraction the conflict provides and try to gain control of the T-Energy themselves, so they can become the dominant and most powerful race. As these events unfold, the T-Energy goes increasingly out of control and changes into a destructive force that mutates creatures, destroys cities, and renders entire regions uninhabitable. The campaign selection you make will determine whether your story involves healing the land, or intensifying the chaos.^[10]

[edit] Gameplay

[edit] Campaigns

There are two campaign path choices: Light and Shadow. The player will select the path they want to follow at the beginning of the game, and this choice determines the ultimate goal of their character. Throughout the game, the paths intersect at different points. In one path you may be asked to help defend a town, while in the other you may be the person attacking the town.

[edit] World

Sacred 2: Fallen Angel features a very large and open world, with seamless transitions from region to region so you don't have to wait for new regions to load when you switch between them. The surface map is 22 square miles. The world also contains dungeons and caves going as far as 2 levels deep, and surface dwellings of up to four stories. Most of the action takes place in the open world above ground.

There is a wide variety of different regions, running the spectrum from arid desert to tropical rain forest. Every region differs in its climate, terrain, architecture, inhabitants, flora, fauna and lighting.

In addition to playable characters and enemies, there are different neutral creatures who inhabit the various regions, as well as enemies and NPCs (non-player characters).

NPCs are constructed to behave realistically within the Day/Night cycle. This means that you might not be able to find an open merchant in the middle of the night because he's at home, in which case he must be sought there.

[edit] Classes

There are 6 playable fixed-gender classes, each of which has different class-specific equipment and animations that are dependent on the weapons being wielded. Maximum character level will be at least 200.

• Seraphim: The Seraphim is the only class from Sacred that appears in Sacred 2: Fallen Angel. She embodies all that is good, and therefore she can only play the Light path.^[11]
• Shadow Warrior: An elite warrior, returned to life against his will after his death on the battlefield.^[11]
• High Elf: A student of magic, freshly emerged from the academy ready to explore the world and expand her knowledge.^[11]
• Dryad: Adept at ranged combat, nature magic and voodoo.^[12]
• Temple Guardian: Cyborg canine creature - adept at the mechanical and technological arts.^[12]
• Inquisitor: He embodies all that is evil, and therefore can only play the Shadow path.^[12]

[edit] Mounts

Players are able to use horses as they could in Sacred, for transportation as well as in combat. Though players can engage in combat while riding a horse, they cannot execute Combat Arts, Sacred's version of special moves. Mounts do, however, add to character stats - acting as an additional equipment slot.^[13] Each class also has access to a special unique mount type via a quest, that allows the use of Combat Arts whilst mounted, and even improves some of them. ^{[14] [15]}

The special mounts are:

• Seraphim: Saber-toothed tiger
• Shadow Warrior: Hellhound
• High Elf: Wind serpent
• Dryad: Giant lizard
• Temple Guardian: Mobiculum
• Inquisitor: Giant spider

[edit] Quests

Ancaria is full of a variety of quest types. Current figures indicate that there will be 100 core campaign quests as well as 600 of side quests. The side quests will include character specific quests, as well as quest related to the specific deity you choose when creating your character.

[edit] Customization

Character customization is accomplished in a variety of ways. In addition the choice of using a mount or not, and if so which, there is a wide variety of equipment and weapon types; the game features an RPG-standard set of equipment options.

Equipment can be generated with dozens of modifiers as well as sockets and both dropped and bought equipment is predominantly class-specific.

Players can modify their characters further by allocating stat points, choosing from a range of over-arching skills which improve their special powers (combat arts), allow them to barter with NPCs or use different types of weapons. Players can also increase the level of their individual combat arts, pick and choose combat arts to execute together in "combos" and even further customize individual combat arts with additional effects.

[edit] Platforms

Sacred 2 is available for Microsoft Windows, as well as the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. All versions contain the same content, with the exception of the Xbox 360 pre-order. If pre-ordered at GameStop, a code was given to access a creature that allows access to inventory storage anywhere in the world as long as both players are signed into Xbox Live. It is also possible to purchase this creature afterward as DLC. The main difference is in the UI, which has been designed in attempt to allow optimal control for the hardware differences of each platform.

[edit] Multiplayer

Multiplayer mode features "hot-swapping" capabilities, which allows players to leave their single player campaign, join a friend's game in multiplayer, then return to their single player campaign at the point they left off while retaining any levels and items that they received while in their friend's multiplayer game.

All platforms will allow a variety of game modes, with five distinct multiplayer modes,^[16] with the maximum number of players varying based on the platform and game type:

• Microsoft Windows: Maximum of 16 players per game for PvP or free play, and 5 players (PvE - Players Versus Environment) for the Campaign Co-Op Mode.
• PlayStation 3: Maximum of 4 players via PlayStation Network, or 2 offline.
• Xbox 360: Maximum of 4 players via Xbox Live, or 2 offline.

[edit] Sacred 3

On August 9, 2009, Deep Silver announced their plans for a sequel with a working title Sacred 3.^[17] No more information was revealed at that time with only a forum thread for suggestions given.

[edit] Reception

Reviews

Publication	Score
PC
Eurogamer	6/10[18]
GameSpot	7/10[19]
Game Informer	7/10[20]
IGN	7.5/10[21]
Game Revolution	C+
GameSpy	2/5
Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3
Official Xbox Magazine	7.5/10
1UP	A-
IGN	6.5/10
GameSpot	7/10
Game Informer	7.75/10
Game Revolution	B
Game Trailers	5.3/10

The PC version of Sacred 2 received fair reviews with an average critic score of 71% at Game Rankings and 71 out of 100 at Metacritic. While the design, world map and multiplayer were praised, common criticisms were directed at the visuals and multiple technical glitches/bug. The later release of the Xbox 360 and PS3 console versions however received a more favorable response with an average score of 73% for both platforms at Game Rankings and 74 and 75 out of 100 respectively at Metacritic. While some critics still criticized previous issues found in the PC versions, others found that there were fewer bugs and that interface had been improved.

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• Sacred 2 Homepage
• SacredWiki
• Comparison video/screenshots with and without PhysX