A Divine Time: Sacred 2 Review

Sacred 2: Fallen Angel for the Xbox 360 and PS3. Developer: Ascaron Entertainment Publisher: CDV Software


Scientists have yet to map the Diablo gene. Although the human genome project has uncovered many genetic predispositions, the DNA sequence that compels us to gather loot, slay monsters, and rummage through caverns hasn’t been isolated yet. I assume when that discovery is made, scientists will uncover a number of correlated traits- a penchant for statistics, a passion for mythical creatures, and an unhealthy aversion to sunlight.

Console gamers who have any of those traits, will likely find pleasure in Sacred 2: Fallen Angel, a title that has been pleasing PC owners since last November. The Xbox 360 and PS3 port allows players to take the role of one of six character classes, and explore a enormous land mass full of obligatory and optional quests.  Four of the characters have two quests to compete, with a ‘light’ and ‘dark’ side available to players. Seraphins and Inquisitors have one quest apiece, as they exist on the edges of the moral spectrum. 


Gamers habituated to serious RPG narrative’s may find Sacred 2’s dialogue a welcome reprieve or strangely disjoined. Although the main story seems serious, conversation and voice work is incongruously comedic. While the title offers players a wealth of missions- from assassinations, fetch quests, and escorting, these endeavors often feel unfulfilling due to the minimal amount of textual set-up.  However, Sacred 2’s liberal distribution of weapons, runes, and armor is compelling enough so that item collection overcomes any deficiencies in the storytelling.  With each item having a myriad of numerical ratings, there’s enough complexity in the game to satisfy stat-geeks.

Players accustomed to the real-time combat used in the Diablo and Baldur’s Gate series’ may need time to adjust to Sacred 2’s statistic-based warfare. When the player first starts the game, their character may swing right through an attacking foe, their underpowered strikes too weak to register a hit. As gamer’s familiarize themselves with the title’s arithmetical method of settling melees; new attacks will open, from drain spells to ranged areas of effect damage.


True to its PC roots, Sacred 2 has its share of bugs and glitches, although most are relatively minor.  Our protagonist would occasionally drift along in caves, when the control stick was untouched, as if some intoxicating spell had been cast on him. Sporadically, when changing weapons midfight, I found myself attacking with just bare knuckles; my desired armament appearing several seconds later.  I just assumed my ‘equipped’ weapon was inadvertently placed at the bottom on my loot bag.

Sacred 2 offers high resolution worlds that present a world of grassy plains, dank caverns, and fish filled streams. The game’s world is vast- encompassing a simulated 22 square mile realm, and shows player progress by adding color to a sepia-toned map. Equipped armor and weapons are shown in substantial detail, feeding the gamer’s desire to search for more powerful and exotic accessories. Unfortunately, character animation is constrained; players and foes will hack away unconvincingly. Graphical purists will notice v-sync issues, when the on-screen geometry gets too complex for the game to render.


Like a plate of Kobold stew accompanied with a mug of lukewarm nightshade ale, Sacred 2: Fallen Angel is an acquired taste. Those predisposed to dungeon-hacks will find the title scratches an itch left untouched by the simplicity of Arkadian Warriors or the clumsiness of Too Human. However, those that long for a statistically- driven, quest laden, loot-heavy diversion, will likely find themselves captivated by Sacred 2’s charms.

 Stumbleupon  Digg 

Posted by DesertEagle at 5/9/2009 2:25 PM
Categories: PS3,360,Reviews
 

What did you think of this article?




Trackbacks
Trackback specific URL for this entry
  • No trackbacks exist for this entry.
Comments
Display comments as (Linear | Threaded)

Leave a comment

 Enter the above security code (required)

 Name

 Email (will not be published)

 Website

Your comment is 0 characters limited to 3000 characters.