483 people found this review helpful
3 people found this review funny
Not Recommended
0.0 hrs last two weeks / 43.6 hrs on record (15.1 hrs at review time)
Posted: Mar 22, 2014 @ 9:59pm

I have a soft spot for the original Warlock in spite of its many failings (poor AI, poor play balance and numerous bugs). But I cannot recommend this new release. It is basically window dressing on the old game without addressing any of its faults. Aside from the revamped spell research, nothing that couldn't be provided in DLC. Oh it's got more, more pictures, more units and two new races. If you don't mind paying $30 (or $40) for your DLC then hop on board. But if you were looking to address the fundamental issues (above) then don't waste your time and money.

There is actually one group I can recommend it to and that is those that liked the Armaggedon DLC. They didn't fix the pathing or the horrible NPC AI. (I think the monster AI got some tweaks) But their solution to those looking for a challenge is to introduce a whole slew of tough Spirit damage dealing monsters and unload wave after wave of monster spawns; very much in the spirit of Armaggedon. The larger your territory the larger your clean-up issues. As a plus you don't have to worry about your actual economy since the frequent spawns will keep you swimming in gold and mana.
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8 Comments
lumbus Sep 9, 2014 @ 1:49pm 
Thank you! I stick to the first game now. ;)
Metro May 9, 2014 @ 8:24pm 
Late to the party but you are spot on. Fortunately I was able to pick up the Great Mage edition for $5 via an Amazon pricing glitch but, yes, this is little more than glorified DLC. It's hard to 'review' Warlock 2 since Warlock 1 was a really solid budget title. The core game is still fun but this 'sequel' is little more than a cash grab without any major improvements (especially in the opponent AI which is still poor).
ExHippy Apr 11, 2014 @ 11:57am 
To answer duckmaster's question: Warlock 2 is the better game in general but only just. You can have 97% of the same experience for a lot less cash with Warlock 1. If they were the same price (or money is no object) then 2. If money is tight (or you already have Warlock 1) then 1.
Eso Apr 11, 2014 @ 5:33am 
Does it still have the system where the AI seem to have unlimited resources and it is questionable if they adhere to spell cooldowns?
Mastnosis Apr 11, 2014 @ 1:35am 
Hit the character limit. Here is the rest.

I'm curious to hear the thoughts of other players who have played both games. I pretty much only play the original Warlock multiplayer. I haven't played the new game in multiplayer yet since noone else in my gaming circle has it, but I feel the changes are better suited to single player. Similarly why I never play Armageddon in multiplayer. If the environment is more hostile than your opponent it tend to distract from direct competition. "Did I lose because I'm a worse player or because I got ganked by an uber spawn on turn 10?" Multiplayer has always seemed to be an afterthought for Warlock (and the majority of turn based strategy games these days) which is such a shame.
Mastnosis Apr 11, 2014 @ 1:35am 
That is a hard question for me to answer really. I can't say the new game is better or at least just as good in every category, it's not. If I had to make a defining line I would say it would be between single player and multiplayer. If you mostly plan to play single player then go with version 2 otherwise I recommend the original.
Kappa Apr 10, 2014 @ 4:41pm 
I have never played a warlock game. If i never have played one and kinda want to should i get this one or is there a better warlock game i could get?
ExHippy Apr 5, 2014 @ 3:26am 
I agree completely. I like the game, have even completed it, but it's not worth buying on top of Warlock 1