[Editor’s Note: This review has
been amended to reflect the retail Xbox 360 version. The original review was
based on a “Gold Master” debug build sent over by CDV that has been deemed as
possibly faulty due to manufacturer errors. As a result there are a few
stability differences between the two versions, and therefore GameZone has
changed their scoring to reflect this.]
Last year, Ascaron unleashed their
sequel to 2004’s SACRED, SACRED 2: Fallen Angel, on the PC. While technically a
sequel, the events in the game actually took place 2,000 years before the events
of the first game. While the game offered plenty of action and quests, as well
as a cool multiplayer element, it suffered from an overall lack of compelling
story elements and played out like a level-grind more than anything. Now,
Ascaron is trying their hand at console development, porting the game over to
the Xbox 360. While the game succeeds at bringing over all of the content from
the PC version (warts and all), it suffers a host of 360-specific issues,
including awful framerate issues and unresponsive controls.
As mentioned earlier the events in
SACRED 2: Fallen Angel take place 2,000 years before the original SACRED, with a
power struggle in place between the High Elf factions of Ancaria over a
substance known as T-Energy. T-Energy is a highly lucrative property as it is
responsible for the creation of all life and magic in the world, meaning that
whichever side gains control over it, then they will have control of the world.
Other races have also come into the fray, sensing the weakness in the High Elves
as a result of the struggle, and are attempting to gain control of the T-Energy
themselves. As this struggle occurs, the world is plunged into disarray, as the
T-Energy has grown unstable, and you come in as either a force of light or
darkness in order to help (or exacerbate) the problem.
When you first begin your campaign
in SACRED 2: Fallen Angel, you must create your character, choosing their race
and class, and whether or not they will be affiliated with the Light or the
Shadow. There are six classes total: the Seraphim, Shadow Warrior, Temple
Guardian, Dryad, High Elf, and the Inquisitor. While four of the classes allow
you to choose between the Light or Shadow, the Seraphim can only fight on the
Light side, while the Inquisitor can only fight for the Shadow.
The game allows you to customize
your character in pretty cool ways. While the genders are fixed, you’ll be able
to switch their faces, hair, and body in several key ways. Additionally, as you
play the game, you’ll be able to upgrade your character and their skill sets in
some pretty robust ways including using mounts and combat arts for special
combos, making the customization options one of this game’s stronger suits.
Additionally, the game is absolutely
huge. The world that you have to explore is gigantic, spanning roughly 22 square
miles, and chockfull of quests, both main and side. There definitely isn’t a
shortage of things to do in SACRED 2, and hardcore fans should find themselves
investing many hours into the game.
Unfortunately, it’s about here that
things begin to fall apart. The same issues that plagued the PC version are
here, including an uninteresting storyline, and derivative level-grinding
gameplay. The game requires you to spend a sizable chunk of time building levels
without much in the way of story progression, which can be quite problematic for
those looking for a compelling action-RPG experience.
Additionally, the game has some
control issues. The attack buttons aren’t nearly as responsive as they should
be, and attacks will often register with your character very slowly, making
fighting very frustrating.
Generally, the game has a pretty
serious lack of polish. While the final retail build handles much more smoothly
than the original gold master copy sent to us, there are still some general
issues here and there. The framerates are downright horrible, chugging along at
speeds that are well below the norm. Additionally, this makes the
game feel like a somewhat rushed PC port, and one that definitely could have
used a few extra coats of polish.
The game’s sound presentation fares
a bit better than the graphics. The soundtrack is pretty impressive and works
well to punctuate the on-screen action and theme of the game. The rest of the
sound however, is merely ok, and the voice acting is pretty cheesy.
SACRED 2: Fallen Angel gets points
for bringing the scope and huge world of the PC version to consoles, but
unfortunately presents many problems to go along with it.
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Gameplay: 6.5
The game wears its Diablo inspiration on its sleeve, and is mostly a level
grind without much in the way of a compelling story. The Xbox 360 version
suffers from frustratingly unresponsive controls.
Graphics: 5.0
Bland textures that lack pop, indiscernible pick-ups, and a lousy framerate
make this one not much of a looker.
Sound: 7.5
The music is pretty impressive and adds a lot to the gameplay, while the
rest of the sound presentation and voice acting is pretty ho-hum.
Difficulty: Medium
Concept: 6.3
The gameplay borrows quite heavily from other titles, and the story isn’t
terribly compelling.
Multiplayer: 7.5
The drop-in drop-out online component is a nice touch, allowing for 4
players to meet up and run a few missions together, keeping whatever level gains
and spoils they get for their single-player campaign.
Overall: 6.3
SACRED 2: Fallen Angel is mostly a level grind that will appeal to hardcore
Diablo fans jonesing for another dungeon crawler fix. The Xbox 360 version is a
bit of a disappointment, due to some port issues and graphical quirks.
