Savage 2

www.savage2.com

Savage 2 is a team based fantasy themed real time strategy game where two teams try to destroy each other's main base. The two teams are humans versus fantasy beast type creatures. The game has a twist where one player on each team is known as the Commander, and has a completely different gameplay experience.

The Commander will have an isometric view point similar to Age of Empires, where he can see all of his teammates and provide them with buffers, dispels, and also attack opposing players. The commander is responsible for placing buildings and managing the gold of the team. Commanders can give orders to teammates, but the individual members are free to follow or ignore orders as they choose. Commanders can also assign team members as squad leaders who can drop spawn portals. This gives an interesting element to the game, as a good leader will be able to control his team, but a poor leader may not. Team members can put up a vote to the team to impeach their commander if they feel the Commander is not doing a good job. Each team member has one opportunity to impeach the commander per round.

The buildings the Commander can build are technology and defense buildings. The technology buildings give the players upgraded abilities and extra character classes to play with.

At the start of the round, players will be able to choose from three class types. A builder, a ranged class, and a strong melee class. The builder class is used to erect buildings placed by the Commander. They are weak fighters, but are strong in attack against the enemy's buildings. The ranged class is also somewhat weak but is fast and can be used in attacks against buildings. The melee class is the strongest fighting class. Other classes that come later in the round are a healing class, a siege class, and a super-strong melee class. Some of these new classes will cost the player gold that they have earned in the round in order to spawn. While most classes have a form of ranged attack, the focus in on melee combat. Players can zoom out to a behind the back third person view or zoom in for a first person view.

One additional class players can choose is the Malphas. This is a demon class that has exceptional health and attack ratings. The Malphas is spawned from a hellshrine that the commander must build, and players must have accumulated twenty souls from killing opposing players to spawn a Malphas.

Each map gives each team there own home area, called their stronghold. This is where the Commander will build their technology buildings. Spread across the map are a limited number of mines. These mines provide the gold that teams will use in order to build their buildings. In order to utilize a mine, a team must build a smaller base close to the mine. The other teams will try to destroy these bases so they can build their own. The commander will be able to build defense towers to protect the bases and the stronghold. Players will be able to spawn from these bases as well.

There are about 5 or 6 maps total in Savage 2. Each is very different from the others. Some are very large while others are not. Most of the maps are symmetrical, with one area being a control point for both teams.

Savage 2 has a pretty small community, with no more than 150 players logged in at any one time. Usually only one or two servers are being utilized. Servers hold about 42 players each, and a joining player has to join whichever team needs an extra player. Most of the players are regulars and trade banter with each other over the voice chat. The voice chat is very handy for the Commander to issue orders or for teammates to communicate. The game is free to play with a one time upgrade fee of $10 for those who want to take it seriously. Upgraded members can also purchase runes which will give them increased stats. Its definitely a fun game, but is frustrating at times when a bad commander makes poor choices. Score 8/10 

Download it at www.savage2.com