Sandbox

[FullAutoAttack]

just wondering if this is scenarios or if there is sandbox game-play?

[QWEEDDY2]

You mean RMG? Its present in Disciples 2 (DP-GR extended version) and in next one Disciples 2 ROTE.
There is two more improved un-official tools to highkynrandomise already created map.

Still all 3 games suggest that you complete manually created map from pre-generated one. Dis1 (as well as Dis2+ROTE) have landmarks/water randomiser only.
Un-official tools also require manualy rechck result and do some ying for fractions and their Capitals.
But result of base RMG or RMG+randomiser tool's are great.

[FullAutoAttack]

What is ROTE?

[QWEEDDY2]

Rise of the Elves. Third game (stand-alone expandion, that mean new game on old engine).
As for RMG. Dis1 have landmarks only. Dis2 and ROTE landmarks as well and full RMG almost good - but there is something missed (always basic reward for ruins and no garrisons in neutral cities).
Un-officila randomiser's (two differ) improve it further. First simple one-clic tool support only ROTE 3.01. second one probably now support Disciples 2 too.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UBw626bU5J4

[FullAutoAttack]

and Disciples Sacred Lands Gold contains all the expansions?

[QWEEDDY2]

This is Disciples 1. It have only one small map-pack DLC. RMG included in Disciples 2 and you need Disciples 2 Gold for complete package. Steam sell it. But it be unbundled 10 years ago with pricedrop. It regularry on -80/90% sale and bundle last time cost almost nothing. So they removed it. It still Gold Edition package.

There is two Disciples 2 Gold (or three if count dvd-edition with also Disciples1). Last official content/DLC released in 2006. Steam have all of it.
But Steam version repacked by Valve in 2014 and use custom exe with DRM and that exe is 2.0 and 3.0 (im talk about Disciples 2 + ROTE, subj game hub and forum is for Disciples 1).

Use GCFScape to extract vpk-dir xxx .vpk's archives and find link to DRM-free exe (best one are from GOG).
GOG edition based on 2005 CD Gold and that edition not include 2006 content or pathes. After 13 years GOG bring back some missed content from CDs, still they have not full package (even from original CD) and no patches.
Should be put proper win-registry entries and install DLC setup + 3.01 patch for ROTE and 2.02 for Dis2 DP-GR.

As i undesrtand there is no more any else versions on sale now. Amazon be proper DRM-free one as i know. Stardock Impusle, publisher website. Should be also 2006 editions. Like Steam.

Best way to get this games, as always for all games - buy both on GOG and Steam. And combine them. Actually you always can try to ask steam-key if you bought on else store. Sometimes even AAA publisher can give you steam-key. More indie companies ro that more often. But Strategy First ood games always sold with -80-90% and cost low.

[QWEEDDY2]

There is also ZOOM Platform drm-free store - you can find links and useful info here
http://www.pcgamingwiki.com/wiki/Series:Disciples

Steam versions of two Disciples 2 games require separate install for ScenEditor's from Steam - Library - TOOLS section.
And Steam not a good place for mod-content. Even if you extract VPK and use DRM-free exe's (vpk itself not allow user content, this is Source engine archives but custom).
So in general GOG are better (or ZOOM).

If you buy it on Zoom instead of GOG in addition to Steam, provide filelist or maybe whole installer here, m? I cant buy there for now. As for GOG exe i put link somewhere here.

Disciples 2 (: Dark Prophecy - Gallean's Return extended version of base Disciples 2) also have minor mistake in files in all diital stores i guess. Steam as well. 2.02 patch is identical to 2.01 but change only exe. There is Changelog file for it in Steam but TApp.dbf still show 2.01 for main menu. Its only one symbol differences. Using HxD (not notepad!) you can fix number and make this file 100% identical to 2.02.

As is Steam and GOG versions not good for multiplayer. CD editions should be patched.

[QWEEDDY2]

Disciples 1 is OK for both Steam and GOG. In Steam publisher use start.bat as launch file and it should ignore disciple.ini config file game data path (look to guides here). But publisher forgot to edit ini-file to remove already present path's to make it working outside of Program Files (x86). Remove full path's like Briefings = ./briefings and start steam version directly from Steam Library.
(never ever use steam links - they broken for all 18 years).
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1234688812