A huge,
new world awaits the veteran adventurer.
Outside
the kingdom of Ehb, lays the land known as Aranna. Once a mighty kingdom it fell
into ruin and has been a wild land overrun with monsters and other dangers. And
now, an ancient evil has awoken and vowed revenge on all those who once banished
it.
The
town of Arhok was expecting a caravan of supplies when monsters rose up and
attacked it. The town’s supplies are drawn thin, and it now falls to one hero to
venture forth and recover what was lost. But this is more than a mere expedition
to recover lost items. This is the start of a journey into the origins of the
Ultraean civilization, and a confrontation with powerful and vengeful evil.
Dungeon
Siege: Legends of Aranna is the PC expansion to Microsoft Game Studios and
Gas-Powered Games’ role-playing dungeon crawl. Mad Doc Software has developed
this expansion, which does include the original title so gamers new to the
series will not have to purchase two games to get into the expanded realms.
Dungeon
Siege was, in itself, a massive game that required players to form parties with
NPCs in order to survive the lush but deadly environments. Legends of Aranna is
no different. But what was once thought of as wonderfully intuitive has become a
battle for experience points.
Let’s
simplify this: there are four disciplines for a warrior in the game – melee,
missile, nature magic and combat magic. Melee involves any weapon that requires
close combat. Missile can mean bows or chainguns (if you are lucky enough to
find them or you import your character from the original title and he, or she,
has one). Nature magic and combat magic are gleaned from scrolls you put into
your spell book. By using any of these disciplines, you elevate your character’s
abilities. Some abilities enhance your strength, dexterity or intelligence.
These factors come into play when equipping weapons or armor.
When
you get a party, you can select your formation, but the NPCs, in the
single-player mode, traveling with you can get the kills and you may end up
fighting for your experience with them. Why? Because the AI will put all –
including the gamer’s avatar – into a protecting attack mode. If a mob attacks
you, you respond without having to physically apply the keystrokes to initiate
the attack.
However, make no mistake, the NPCs are vital when you get further into the game,
and if you can remove the idea of a single character and supplant it with a
group mentality, you won’t find it necessary to concern yourself with leveling
one avatar. And the game does offer better group control to take advantage of a
mage’s ability in creating a more tactical battle plan. Mages will especially
benefit from this scheme.
In
addition to the new lands, the game does feature other new features. New
backpacks increase the amount of items you can carry. If your regular inventory
is full, the items will drop into the backpack. There is also a new pack animal,
which is much better than the mules. The Tragg will actually fight.
Yes,
the game has the array of new mobs, and treasure, and also has a new race – the
half-giant. Multiplayer difficulty settings (Zonematch is still a free service
for online play) now sport the elite and veteran modes.
You can
import characters from Dungeon Siege single- or multiplayer into LoA, and then
move them into the multiplayer game.
Very
little has changed in the graphical presentation of this game. It still has
richly textured environments, and solid lighting and shadow dynamics. The
special effects are well done and the animation is smooth. Even when you zoom in
close, the game maintains its graphical integrity.
There
is the array of NPC dialogue that is somewhat silly, but the game has also has
new music that underscores the action.
The
game is very linear in nature, and the primary focus is the combat elements and
how you group to win through. There are not many side areas to explore, at least
nothing that will deter you from the main mission.
Legends
of Aranna is, essentially, much more of the same in relationship to Dungeon
Siege. The game has some flaws, and is a simplistic quest-driven dungeon crawl.
Find the bad guy, kill the bad guy; or clear out the dungeon, which has been
overrun with mobs. Don’t go looking for a deep storyline here, you won’t find
it.
But
that is not to say this game is not good – quite the contrary. The game is a
treat for the eyes and ears, and the adventure, while not deep, is entertaining.
The maps for Aranna are huge and the action is almost non-stop. Legends of
Aranna will certain please fans of the original DS title, and may make for a
pleasant diversion for those new to series.
This
game is rated Teen.
Gameplay:
8.5
The
cutscenes are not quite as good as the gameplay and interrupt the flow for silly
glimpses into what lays ahead. If you see a dungeon shaped like a fanged skull,
you don’t need to hear an ominous voice taunting the mortal fools to know that
you won’t be visiting a tea room full of warm and welcoming people. The
mapboards are huge and transition from one area to the other is seamless.
Graphics:
9
This is
more of the same and while still lush, don’t have quite the same impact they
once did.
Sound: 8.8
Solid
sound elements, with a very good musical underscore, keep the game moving.
Difficulty: Medium
The
multiplayer has upped the ante, but the single-player game still is a
challenging dungeon crawl with scores of mobs attacking at once. This does
require use of the tactical elements and groups to work through.
Concept: 7
Some
new features, but a tired storyline that should be retired.
Multiplayer: 9
This
game sparkles in multiplayer action. Private cooperate game rooms through
Zonematch is a thoroughly enjoyable way to experience the game.
Overall:
8.5
Legends
of Aranna is a very familiar game, and that is because it does not change much
of what was in place for Dungeon Siege. The storyline is really showing its age
and aside from new some new features to make the game a bit more convenient (as
in more storage space), this is a case of second verse same as the first. But
those who liked the original title should find this an entertaining diversion.
With lush graphics and combat-oriented game play, plus the fact that the
expansion includes the original title, Legends is an enjoyable gaming
experience.
