Sacred 2: Fallen Angel (Xbox 360/ PS3)

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Back a few months back, at the time of the release of Sacred 2: Fallen Angel on PC. We were captivated by the open world and freedom of action proposed by the game, which we had driven to that Sacred 2 is hack and slash what Oblivion is RPG.

The problem is that offering the player a non-linear progression in open environments and developing a universe as vast and searched than Ancaria (containing 500 quests and dungeons sixty on an area of 70 km ² ), the Ascaron team was exposed to the many bugs that have affected the gaming experience on PC and we have taken into account in the final. The advantage of this port late on consoles is that it includes multiple corrections made to Sacred 2 since its release. All is not perfect yet and there subiste a few minor technical problems, but the degree of finish of the game is much more satisfying, making it more pleasant to go. Do not ruin, the few additions and adjustments it has received are particularly useful, as you will see throughout this test.

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If there are those among you who have seen the first episode released on PC, they know immediately that this result is not so different and new that there are even more discreet. But the transition to 3D, the world even larger and more detailed and new classes of characters proposed sufficient to sublimate the experience offered by the first Sacred. From the viewpoint of the scenario, Fallen Angel is not really a suite.

The plot is indeed 2,000 years before the events described in the previous episode. Ancaria the world teeters on the brink of war in conflict between different peoples for control of energy T. Although used, this power opens the door to enormous technological advances, which have seized the high elves. But it extends to the excess on Ancaria and its power to create causes mutations in living beings, causing the appearance of giant monsters. It is in this context that you operate, but like an Elder Scrolls (which we will compare many Sacred 2 throughout this article), you can write your own history. The main quest is a common thread free for you to ignore the ins and outs to the many side quests await you. Be aware that if you decide to work for Ancaria, you will be given two different paths that of light or darkness. Both campaigns offer a different development, which reinforces the potential for replayability of Sacred 2. Especially as the game gives you a choice of six different characters.

Very popular with players of the first opus, the Seraphine is the only survivor. The other five characters (high elf, the dryad, the guardian of the temple, the warrior and inquisitive black) are newcomers. One appreciates the effort made by Ascaron to offer classes fairly original, whose versatility allows potential out archetypes seen and reviewed. Some, like the guardian of the temple, even downright unusual in a genre that we invariably serves the same soup medieval fantasy. Sacred 2 break and takes a fall particularly refreshing, you'll have the opportunity you know it. The creation of your character ask you to choose your favorite god, it is then divine the fate which is linked in the form of a skill to cooldown rather long. Some are double-edged, like the ability to invoke a daemon that is only temporarily under your control.

Popular feature of the first opus, each class has its own starting area on the map. As for the possibility of moving back to destriers, it has been retained and expanded in addition to the traditional horses, each character now has a mount specific to his class. Creating your avatar is quite comprehensive and provides a 2 Sacred potential replayability.

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The system for changing your avatar is typical of the genre. During your battles, you earn experience, represented by a gauge green to the right of the portrait of your avatar. A gain of each level, you divide the points characteristics obtained using your whim (strength, endurance, intelligence). You also have skill points to distribute in various fields (master of the sword, concentration, alchemy) . You start with a single jurisdiction, but throughout your progression, you will have the opportunity to choose new ones (for a total of 10 maximum).

To develop your character even further, you also have access to talents appointed Arts combat organized into three sections for each class. For example, the dryade may specialize in the fight at a distance, the magic of nature or the voodoo powers. Throughout your progress, you will find runes that enhance the various arts of combat or unlock those not yet known. Those that do not match your class are redeemable at the Master of runes. On the other hand, if we regret the low number of combat arts available (fifteen per class), we must realize that it is possible to change each one. A spell, for example, can see to choose their area of effect or its duration increased. Each Art of battle can change 3 times, it has thus 8 possible variants. Finally, note that if the many equipment scarcity variable dropper by monsters you are not satisfied, it is always possible to crimp itself. A very useful feature, introduced on the inventory, to display all the bonuses on your actual character.

Since this is to refer, be aware that the interface of the console version does not prove to be less convenient it could be on PC. You navigate easily between different windows of information, less "visual" and less flexible, the inventory in the form of thematic panels is also less messy as it automatically organizes your items by type. A reservation, however, the readability of text boxes becomes a problem on CRTs. Apart from some camera problems inherited from the original version, the gameplay does not suffer any major criticism. The analog stick travel is more probative on the PC since it solves the problem of pathfinding improved. Moving on to the fighting.

To get rid of opponents encountered, you can hit repeatedly with your basic weapon, but also use your arts of combat. You can also generate combos by combining several arts of combat, knowing that the number of combinations will increase throughout the game where the console version is the most points is that it permits the have access to more options than on the PC the combination of the two triggers and the four colored buttons to access any time to twelve different slots, which you can assign weapons indiscriminately, the arts of combat or your combos choice. These additional options makes the battles more dynamic but also more tactical in that it allows you to vary the approaches and adapt to all situations. However, there remain some softness in their reporting, to the account of a slight lag between pressing a button and executing a coup.

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The clashes are still very strong throughout, which is not bad because they represent the majority of time playing monsters literally criss-cross the vast territory of Ancaria and constantly recur each death entry or exit dungeon, loaded with. In this regard, note that the ability to go from the beginning where you want, who entered the game in a nearby Oblivion, requires an automatic adjustment of the level of monsters that your character. The tour de force is that it does not rise to the feeling of power needed at any hack and slash. Especially as in this console version, the groups of enemies we have seemed difficult to equal, fewer but more resistant, which is not displeasing to us.

The power of the boss, in particular, had apparently been drawn up, which promises some particularly epic confrontations. But you realize very quickly that the enjoyment by Sacred 2 is just as much (and perhaps even more) in exploration in the monster bashing. The beginning of bucolic landscapes, populated by wolves and bandits, quickly leave the room for atmosphere more varied and exotic with a bestiary accordingly. And after a gloomy crypt, you will enjoy the rest offered by the quiet village lively, whose residents offer all services. You should please you to walk (or ride) the open environments of the game, in which an apparent lack of variety are full of little things to discover.

At completion, the port of Sacred 2 is also very successful in that it incorporates faithfully and without compromise all the features of the PC version (which was not won at the outset). Admittedly, the art direction will again be assessed differently, especially as the record suffers from a palette of colors still questionable and a lack of shaders that give it a flashy aspect. We finish anyway by getting used, filled with the wealth of detail and variety of landscapes, day / night cycle and weather effects management in support. The architecture of some buildings is astonishing, some with domes and windows through which you can see inside. It is superb, especially that you can enter and exit without loading.

In truth, you do suffer from time to load when you enter a dungeon or in a big city. The radius of the technique, it regrets the clipping too pronounced when there are lots of elements on the screen, or sometimes improved the fluidity of the whole. But it was the animation of monsters and characters that angry: as unconvincing as it was on the PC, it often betrays modeling too angular. The noise level is a delight the french dubbing is very correct and it is difficult not to draw a smile to the offbeat and funny remarks of your avatar (and its victims) During the fighting. Moreover, we appreciate that each character class has its specific musical themes composed by the band Blind Guardian, you can attend a concert within the game Sacred 2 is really full of all these small details that make the big games.

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The game, which was unknown most disturbing version of this console is in the end remarkably adapted to the pad. And if the inventory does not show as flexible as the PC, one appreciates the opportunity to access more options during combat. Typical of the genre, the gameplay focuses on character development of complex and rewarding. A picture of the game as a whole, the musical themes composed by Blind Guardian are staggered and successful. They leave by against a little too often replaced by environmental noises. Fortunately, they are of good quality and share the poster with a more than doubling french correct. Although not particularly challenging, the main plot can be followed without displeasure. The side quests are many and necessarily an unequal interest. The strength of the game lies in the exploration of the universe, which you discuss the many hours spent wandering that of Oblivion.

Conclusion:-

Sacred 2: Fallen Angel needed without penalty as the reference hack and slash on the PS3, not only because the genre is not represented there. Ascaron team managed to deliver a superb conversion, with a greater degree of finish and a game perfectly suited to the pad, which can even bear comparison with the PC version. The vast and varied world of Ancaria, modeled with a propensity to detail that commands respect, is the ideal playground for both enthusiasts and for exploring Grosbill in search of the missing part of their set. With a life span of a monstrous and replayability assured, Sacred 2 will be assessed for fans of the genre, for whom it is an essential acquisition.