Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #2092 in Computer & Video Games
• Brand: Southpeak
• Released on: 2007-09-07
• Rating: Suitable for 12 years and over
• Platform: Xbox 360

Amazon.co.uk Review

The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion was a vitally important release for the Xbox 360 in many ways. Not only was it the first real evidence of genuine next generation gameplay, as well as just graphics, but it was also the first mass market hit for a Western style role-playing game in a very long time. It wasn’t without its flaws though and Two Worlds is the first new game to take up the challenge of improving the basic concepts even further. For a start the open-ended game world remains persistent all the time you play, so that anything you destroy or damage stays that way for the whole game. Loading is also seamless, so there are no delays when entering or leaving buildings.

There are no pre-set character classes in the game, but instead you choose a basic archetype at the start and then choose to improve any skill you see fit – from casting one of the five types of magic to picking locks. Spells themselves can be customised and mixed together as well, as the game tries to offer as much freedom as possible in everything you do. One area where it is, thankfully, more assertive is the inventory which tries to limit the clutter you carry around by automatically combining similar objects. The most impressive aspect of the game though is the online co-operative mode, which thanks to the persistent world operates like a miniature massively multiplayer online game and is likely to ensure the game’s longevity for years to come.
Harrison Dent

Manufacturer's Description

Using a bespoke graphics engine, Two Worlds tells the tale of an epic clash between Orcs and Humans that steadily unfolds to provide an over-arching story. Players embarking on the grand quest will find a dynamic world that adjusts to their actions, complemented by a career system that allows incredible freedom in character development. A plethora of side quests accompany the main story and there’s a staggeringly large array of items and equipment to collect.

This questing and collecting takes place in a vast environment that offers unprecedented levels of dynamic interaction with both the landscape and non-player characters. Players will be able to set traps for foes and wandering beasts, even to the point of triggering avalanches and other small-scale disasters. The flora of Twin World’s universe will also be given the dynamic treatment, with trees and plants reacting to the player’s actions in a surprisingly realistic manner. Transport around the huge world can be done via teleportation spells or on the backs of a wide variety of creatures, from traditional horses and camels to a range of much more esoteric beasts.

Two Worlds also incorporates a complex fighting system and a radical new method for handling magical spells. Combat is handled in step-time, with the player selecting attacks and defences that are played out with remarkably detailed animations and stunning motion captured moves. Magic is no longer a set of static, progressively more powerful spells. Instead, Two Worlds’ magic system is based around components in the form of cards. In simple terms, a card for an element and a card for an effect are combined to produce a spell â€" Ice and a range of damage, for example. Two World’s spells are never fixed, so the player can add new cards to enhance pre-existing spells at any time.

Perhaps the most exciting aspect of Two Worlds is its multiplayer mode. Rather than taking a traditional tack, Reality Pump has crafted a fully fledged MMORPG mode complete with unique quests, an arena for 1-on-1 PVP battles, multiplayer horse races and completely customisable player characters with no level capping.

Customer Reviews

Persevere, that is if you enjoy RPGs.
Shame, I was very hopeful about this. Ok I didn't expect another Oblivion, but still I hoped for a little more. The graphics are OK, but not really 360 standard. The backgrounds are pretty good, but character animations are a bit poor. The combat is pretty lame, and the game doesn't really help you along. It throws you in without explanation of combat or magic and pretty soon you die. It is a frustrating start, and the poor presentation and shoddy animation make you think sod it lets go trade it in. However if you kaap on there is a half decent game to be found underneath. The leveling up system has promise and the weapon upgrade idea is actually pretty good after a while. Worth the effort for RPG fans. But it is more Morrowind than Oblivion.

Two Worlds - Too Good.
Before venturing out to my local Computer Exchange and trading in Blue Dragon for this game I spent a while reading the reviews on various websites and knew that I was taking a risk with Two Worlds, but it was one that, in my opinion, has certainly paid off.

Firstly, you need to give this game time. I would say at least between 10-15 hours before you start to realise that its actually very good. I was going to try and write this review without mentioning Oblivion but that is going to be impossible so I am going to list the reasons why I think its better, and why hopefully you will enjoy it as much as I am.

The Map - As an avid RPG fan I love the free roaming experience, exploring and finding new terrorities, turning round the corner to be comfronted by a huge castle or abandoned theives den, or perhaps some ancient Dwarven ruins that have not been looted and this is a constant occurance in Two Worlds. There is so much more to the map, in Oblivion you could walk for miles without anything being around - Yes the scenery was great but in Two worlds you may see a rabbit or other wildlife dance suddenly in front of you, hear some wolves howling over a distant creek, watch some orcs sit around a campfire and so much more. My point is that the world is so much more alive! The settlements and villages feel real and there are so many of them its easy to forget the MQ and concentrate on increasing your reputation with the 8 (yes, eight) different guilds on offer. The Capital is amazing, each village and town has plenty to offer, there are mines, caves, ruins, isolated houses, fishing villages, islands, villages that have been burnt to the ground, grom (goblin) camps, castles, war fields and so much more to be explored, conquered and visited.

The amount of armour and weapons is endless. You are constantly adding new breastplates, helmets, trousers, boots and gloves all with unique stats and every single one looks different on your character - He can have the appearance of a horned devil or wear the white mage robes of an angel. Customisation is an absolute joy, you will never get bored of it. The armour graphics are pretty impressive, its enjoyable to see your hero in a new set of armour that looks completely unique and different to the last outfit they were wearing.

Similar items can be combined in your inventory to produce even better ones. This makes every item useful in some way and easier for you keep creating that perfect weapon. Basically if you don't sell it to make money, use it to enhance your own equipment You can add fire, cold, spirit effects to your weapons to further enhance them and weapons with elemental damage will flash and shimmer with their elemental colour - A simple but great touch and the variety of weapons is simply brilliant.

Levelling - One of Oblivion's biggest complaints was the fact that you could, in theory, complete the game as a level 1 character. In Two Worlds, just as you think your hero is indestructible, you go toe to toe with a Cyclops and he kills you with one swing of his fist. They are many more enemies too, including Dwarves and Dragons, and the variety keeps you interested, intrigued and hooked for ages.

The storyline of Humans Vs Orcs is not hugely original, but there are enough twists and turns to keep you engaged and for those like myself who just enjoy heading off the beaten path and just doing your own thing, trust me, there is more than enough to keep you going. Much more than Oblivion had to offer, much more.

The fighting is better than Oblivion. You can hack'n'slash your way to the top (and learn mountains of different sword skills from trainers) or use potions created in your own alchemy pot and magic learnt from The Society or Necromancers to magic your way to ultimate supremacy. You choose - (Did I mention you could be a thief with the sneak mode too?) And the magic is simple to understand with a decent interface.

For those of you who are still reading and shouting out about the graphics, the loading times while travelling and of course the map interface - Relax, the rose tinted glasses aren't glues to my face and I realise there are drawbacks and glitches. The map is difficult to understand and navigate at first but come on guys, we are gamers! It does not take us long to master such trivial matters and Two Worlds was no different. Difficult at first but after a while you will be using the LT and RT with the same sort of fluidity that Oblivion offered.

To summarise, its a great game but maybe perhaps not best suited to the casual RPG player. Its intelligent, playable, interesting and has a world that keeps on offering new challenges, new ideas and new ways to enjoy yourself. The graphics are definately next generation and I think offer a bit more of a darker atmosphere than the gloss of Oblivion. Some reviews suggest its a combination of Morrowind and Oblivion - This is not completely inaccurate but it certainly carries its own identity well.

Buy it, give it a chance to breath, then enjoy the life that Two Worlds will offer you.

Give it a chance. It does get a lot better.
Ok I hated this game when I first playing it in fact give it a review rating of 1 star thought is was awful (like a lot of review here). Bored one afternoon thought I would give another go and after a few hours found its pretty good (not as good as Oblivion but then what is?). So, like a lot of other review say here, stick with it it does get a lot better. Ok the voices are terrible and the character graphics could be better but the rest of the game is surprisingly good. So once you get used its short coming what you are left with is a pretty good game.
One word of warning - be careful if you dont have a HD TV you might not be able to read the very small text on other TVs