Orcs Must Die! 2 is a great strategy tower defense game but it is now also a great multiplayer game as well!
Genre: Tower Defense Strategy
Developer: Robot Entertainment
System: Steam (PC)
Total Score: 83/100
Value Score: 8.3/10
• Story: 6/10
o Orcs Must Die! 2's storyline takes place exactly after the events of part 1. The male warmage who managed to save the world from the first one has managed to get himself or should I say the world in more trouble than it was already in. The male warmage now must team up with his former enemy from the first game the sorceress. They find out that they are both apprentices to the same master who they encounter in this game and he explains to them that the rift being opened is to preserve magic and that they must defeat the orcs without actually closing the rifts.
• Characters: 8/10
o You have a choice of one of two characters: The male warmage who is the main protagonist from the first game or the female sorcerer who was the main antagonist from the first game. Along with that the mentor to both of these characters make an appearance and explain to the characters/players of what is happening and why. Other than that the characters include guardians who are members of the order and the enemies which are the Orcs who come in a variety of forms even ones who are not actual orcs but monsters like bats, elementals, ogres and trolls. They've added a few new enemy variations to the already existing enemies from the first game as well.
• GamePlay: 10/10
o Orcs Must Die 2's gameplay is a Tower defense game, you have to protect the rifts which is the equivalent of a tower from the orcs who keep coming out of the doors and gates. There can be one, two or even three gates at a time and multiple doors along with the fact that some enemies can simply fly or run through as well. You have a set amount of money you can use to set traps which are available via the spellbook with each trap having a different range, different use, and a different cost amount. Prior to all this you can select a weapon with each character having a different weapon being available at for different costs, some even come in the form of a AI character who will help you like an archer. There are also item trinkets you can purchase as well which can be used against the orcs or for your own personal benefit and your allies. You can upgrade the traps, item trinkets and the weapons to help you in the battle against the orcs which can either increase in damage, have a special side effect or give a special boost to a already available move/skill. Players can also customize the appearance of their characters via the spell book selecting the default costume, the halloween constume and any other costume they unlock from playing the game or buying with skulls. Speaking of skulls it is the currency in which you can use to achieve pretty much everything mentioned above, you get them from finishing each round and level and depending on how well you played and how long you played. Players can play the game single player and have a bit more cash than usual or play multiplayer with a friend with a lower amount of cash that is available. In order to get more cash you can either find coins after defeating enemies or simply by initiating a kill on a enemy will grant you cash. Once you place a trap you can sell the trap during the in between the rest time of the enemies spawning or whenever you are ready to open the gates. You will not be able to sell traps while Orcs are coming out of the gates.
• Graphics: 8/10
o Orcs Must Die! 2 uses simple graphics for a PC game while mostly focusing on the animations which are fluid rather than the actual visual appearance. The game runs on a simple engine that includes simple textures that resemble a PS2 and PS3 in between era game. The user interface is colorful and medieval like you would expect in a game like Warcraft or Torchlight.
• Sound: 9/10
o The voiceovers in Orcs Must Die 2 are well made and the one liners from the characters brings a humorous tone to a dark game. The sound effects although may seem at first repetitive goes well with the fact it is a tower defense game. Considering the fact that the enemies, allies and even traps have different sounds is quite nice to know it isnt much of a bare boned game like other tower defense games.
• Music: 7/10
o Orcs Must Die 2 has a few tracks although not so much memorable, the main track that plays in the intro and during the battle levels however are nicely made and bring like a adrenaline rush to the player while he or she is playing the game. The background tracks match perfectly with the storyline unlike the battle theme which is unique to this type of game and its setting.
• Length: 5/10
o Orcs Must Die 2 has a weak length as it only consists of about barely crossing over 10 stages, the game does include some of the traditional classic levels from the first game and includes the endless campaign but that adds more to the replay value rather than the actual length of the campaign mode.
• Replay Value: 10/10
o Orcs Must Die 2 strives perfectly for the Replay value as it includes the option to go back to any level or stage and use whatever items you had obtained during your other playthroughs. You can repeat every level as many times as you want and you have access to weekly events which includes some of the stages however with certain limitations. The game also includes classic stages from the first game and includes a endless campaign which allows you to fight orcs in a endless campaign. Where the game mostly shines in replay value however is in its Multiplayer, a first in the series and a new feature in the sequel. The co-op campaign plays exactly like the single player campaign however with a bit more difficulty as you get more enemies fighting you and the overall starting cash is cut due to the fact that there are two players on the level.
• Player Value: 10/10
o Orcs Must Die 2 provides a challenging experience for Tower Defense lovers and brings in a humorous continuation of the first game for fans of the first game. The game also includes a multiplayer experience which was heavily sought after the success from the first game and plays a major role in the popularity of this game. Get this game on steam now with friends as it will be quite a pleasant experience even for casual gamers.