Disciples II is a true RPG experience and at the same time a great turn-based strategy game.
Graphics: 7/10
Like all true RPGs, Disciples II does not feature any powerful gaming engines or awesome three dimensional graphics. What it does feature, however, is some great-looking and vivid artwork. The graphics don't mean much in this type of game because the rest of the components of the game make up for it.
Sound: 8/10
The sound in Disciples II may not have been the main focus of the game, but still is very well done. All the voices of the different characters sound practically real, but they could have used more phrases. The sound effects for the spells are completely original and sound great. The best part of the sound department in Disciples II, hands down, is the music. It's the kind of music you DON'T want to turn off because it doesn't annoy you at all and it corresponds with the game.
Gameplay: 10/10
The gameplay in Disciples II is definitely the strongest part of the game. It's quite simple, actually: there are four different races to choose from; each race has their own goals - choose a race, choose a leader and carry out that goal.
The four races are the following:
The Empire - the humans, also known as the unoriginal good guys of practically every RPG known to man. These High Father-worshiping noblemen have no goals in paricular due to the fact that they are almost always in monetary deficit because of long years of gruesome war with the opposing races. Most of the time, The Empire struggles to prevent numerous monstrosities from continuously laying siege on all that is good, only hoping that the righteous will prevail.
The Undead Horde - the plague bearing, lifeless, sometimes corpseless, pure evil menaces. The followers of Mortis, a Lich Queen, who was once known as "Solonielle", obey only that what she orders them and nothing else. Mortis' main goal is to ressurect her one and only true lover Galleon, during her rule as an Elf queen of Nevendaar.
The Legions of the Damned - the demons from whatever many levels of hell there are. Under the orders of Bethrezen, a demon lord that has been captured and sealed for ages, the Legions spread their demonic influence over anything that crosses their path. Ruling the world seems to be their main purpose.
The Mountain Clans - the dwarves, you know - those small people with short tempers. While The Empire faces a never-ending struggle with the numerous forces of The Undead Horde, the Clans face much of turmoil with the Legions. The Clans, once allied with The Empire, were responsible for sealing away the leader of the Legions. The dwarves are believers of the "Ragnarok" - the day of the appocalipse and any one of them would sacrifice their lives in order to prevent it.
After having done that, you're all set and good to go. The gameplay couldn't be any simpler. Your heroes, which are the leaders of your in-game units, will be the ones that do all your dirty work for you. All units are based on different kinds of stats. Whether they be warriors, necromancers, giants and many other - they all serve a different purpose and all have the same goal. The only RPG part of the game, basically, is the differences between units in accordance to their stats. And of course, no other RPG is complete without usable and wearable items like orbs, potions and scrolls as well as spells, shops and unexplored buildings. The strategy element of the game is also quite simple. Each race gets a turn to carry out their goals. The different types of terrain serve as a challenge for your heroes. Some heroes have the flying ability and therefore are unaffacted by terrain, some heroes are scouting leaders and therefore have more move points etc. It's common sense! Once again, Disciples II is a game that is based solely upon the basic elements of the role-playing and the turn-based strategy genres.
Value: 7/10
Though Disciples II does elongate its gaming experince from the previous versions of the game, it does not offer anything new. It's the same game, but with a prolonged storyline and some new in-game stuff. The game does not offer much of a multiplayer experience aside from the basic LAN or TCP/IP options so really, the only replay value is to finish all the campaigns.
Tilt: 8/10
When you ask someone knowldegeable of video games if they know of a turn-based role-playing game - they will most likely answer "Heroes." Due to the fact that Heroes is basically the only other good TBS/RPG out there - Disciplies II isn't just another game to consider. It's just as good as the originals and should not be viewed as an alternative.