Game summary:
"Sacred 2: Fallen Angel is an action-RPG unlike anything you’ve ever played! With a massive, hand-designed game world, hundreds of monsters, two distinct campaigns and six unique character classes, Sacred 2 will immerse you in a world of adventure and magic. Sacred 2 combines the best elements of hack ‘n slash gaming, roleplaying and an engrossing story about a magical world on next-generation consoles."

Review summary:
Sacred 2: Fallen Angel will give you a tremendous open world to explore and plenty of gameplay. The best thing is you don't have to go at it alone, thanks to it's open online multiplayer options. It's hard not to compare Sacred 2 to a game like Diablo, but this is really the first worthy Diablo-like game on the Xbox 360 (also available on the PlayStation 3 and PC). The hardest part may be sinking into the first few hours of gameplay. Look past some of the initial barriers such as the overwhelming menus and voice acting, and the addictive adventure will grow on you. If you're looking for a large-scale fantasy adventure game with highly customizable characters and many hours of gameplay, go forth into the gates of Ancaria with Sacred 2: Fallen Angel!

Rating: 4 out of 5

Read the full review below.

Full review of Sacred 2: Fallen Angel:

Sacred 2: Fallen Angel takes placed 2,000 years before the original Sacred game, released on the PC. Don't let the fact that this is a sequel turn you off from playing it. A brief intro of the single-player campaign will get you up to speed on the game's setting in Ancaria, a world where T-Energy has gone out of control. T-Energy is the glowing blue stuff you'll see throughout your adventure, the source of the game's conflict.

Your first choice is to select your alignment: Light or Dark. There are also various character classes, which include: Seraphim, High Elf, Dryad, Temple Guardian, Shadow Warrior, and Inquisitor (see more details on the classes here). You'll also have to select a Light God or Dark God to follow, which will affect your powers. You can create and save up to 8 different characters. Initially, you may think there are very little customization options, which there are. Throughout your adventures, there will be plenty of opportunities to gear up and customize your character. There's almost too much to manage, one of those initial barriers in getting into the game. Equipping the gear changes your character's visual appearance, great for that personal touch and showing off online.

Game Modes:
There are a few different gameplay modes to select from. The main single-player campaign, which can be set to be played with friends or be left open for other players to join online (up to 3 other players). A Free Mode allows you to explore Ancaria and complete side quests (not the main campaign). There's also a PVP Mode (player versus player mode), where you can fight against other players online. You can set the player level range for those that can join you online. That's great to keep the difficulty balanced amongst players. You can also trade items with other players online. A Two-player mode is another option that lets two gamers at home play with two others online. That said, for this review I spent the majority of time in the single-player campaign, leaving it open for players to join anytime online. The seamless online open multiplayer is one of the strengths of Sacred 2.

Controls:
One thing I recommend changing from the beginning is the camera setting. The automatic follow camera can make you dizzy. You can also set the camera zoom anytime. Bring the camera closer to your character in towns and when talking to people. Pull the camera farther out when you're exploring the world and fighting off enemies. The camera view is controlled dynamically from the R stick. If you're having a tough time getting your bearings, click the R stick to be aligned North. It's not apparent when you're first playing, since it's a small directional northbound arrow on a mini-map. Hitting the Back button brings up the World Map. Get ready to be in awe at the scope of Ancaria. It's a huge play area. As you explore, the map will be colored in. You'll also find portals and spawning areas (aka resurrection monoliths) throughout the world to speed up your travels.

You can customize the buttons for your swords and sorcery, as well as set the D-pad for potion slots. Keep the health potions handy there! Another Action Menu (RB) gives you access to your inventory, Combat Arts, Quest Log and more. There are a lot of options. It would have helped to have an in-game tutorial explaining some essential features in the beginning of your adventure. Also, without the ability to Pause the game, you'll have to find somewhere in town to hang out while you're away, or get to somewhere safe when looking at your world map.

Gameplay:
Sacred 2 is a hack 'n slash adventure. You'll battle plenty of fantasy creatures and huge bosses. How you dispose of them is up to you. Swords, bow & arrows, lightning bolts and even gun projectiles can be used. There are way too many to list, but this again shows you the large scope of the game. The blending of old-world hack n' slash gear with some T-Energy gunplay makes for an interesting and unusual mix.

Environments are vast (deserts, woods, underground caverns, towns) and the level of detail is pretty stunning. Not only can you go into a house, but you can even explore multiple levels of interiors in some. To speed up your travels, summon a mount (such as a tiger, horse and even spider, depending on your class). You won't have access to all your fighting skills while riding a mount, so it's really ideal for distance travel. This option becomes available to you later in the game.

There is a main questline, but you'll undoubtedly spend lots of time doing hundreds of side quests. You'll have to gain experience points after all and there's no shortage of side quests to choose from. You have a quest log that keeps track of main quests (highlighted in gold circles on your world map) and side quests (silver circles on your world map). After doing a few side quests, it's hard to keep focused and interested in all the text. There are some humorous side quests. My favorite being the quest to track down all the instruments of a band. You may hear townspeople (even orcs) singing parts of the "Sacred" track throughout the game. One of the game's surprising and memorable moments is going on a quest for the German Heavy Metal band, Blind Guardian. Successfully complete the side quest and you'll be rewarded with a very awesome CG cutscene for "Sacred," the track Blind Guardian composed for the game (spoiler warning: see it below). You'll also get some very useful weapons, like a flaming guitar that's great for smashing on enemies. Try to complete that quest early on. Another treat for gamers and tech geeks are the texts on the gravestones. There are humorous references to all kinds of games. Make sure you stop by the graveyards and dig up some these morsels.

Replay value:
This is where Sacred 2 shines. If you want to get all the Achievements in this game, you'll have to play the game more than once and with different characters. There's bound to be some point where you'll stray from the main questline and get wrapped into a chain of side-quests. Only the hardcore role-playing gamers will have the stamina to endure it.

Conclusion:
If you're a fan of a game series like Diablo or The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, don't miss Sacred 2: Fallen Angel. Sacred 2 really delivers value in the scope of its gameplay and options. The multiplayer options are great when you want some company and help on your quests. Endure the initial learning curve and you'll be hooked. Escape to Ancaria!

See more on Sacred 2: Fallen Angel from the developer here:

"Sacred" music concert cutscene:

"Sacred" Lyrics
Artist: Blind Guardian

The realm’s bleeding
It suffers
Old and weak
No further argued
There is war at hand
(The system’s weak)
Engines running

Then after all I sense the end is starting
These lunatics deny the truth
I know I will not fail
There’ll be

War it’s now or never
We shall stand together
One by one
This world is sacred
(I’m coming home)
War it’s now or never
We shall stand together
One by one
This world is sacred
I’m coming home
Coming HOOOHOOOME!

You’re chasing twilight and you know
You will be on your own
On your OOOOHOOOOWN!

The misery’s shown
I’ll be alone in this hour
I face the unknown
Witness the end

I’m bleeding
I’m fading
Here in my final hour
When long-lost memories return
And a voice keeps calling
“All dead and gone”

It’s out of hand
Life is in motion
(I’m wishing, I’m fading)
Time to wake up
Face the truth

I’m sinking I’m drowning
There’s no doubting
No regret
(Time to reveal now)
This is no illusion
It is real
Carry on the flame
It’s not over now
Watch me I will rise
(Time to reveal now)

I know I will not fail anymore

Bind the one forever
All that really matters
Blessed realm
This world is sacred
(I’m coming home)
War it’s now or never
We shall stand together
One by one
This world is sacred
I’m coming home

Yesterday’s gone
There’s no today nor tomorrow
I’d risk all the land
The ritual failed

There at the gates
I’m left alone in this hour
Driven insane
I am left alone

And now I drown in deepest shadows
While the golden horn is sealed
I’m wishing
I’m fading
And I am part of the machine

No one lives forever
All that really matters
Find the one
This world is sacred
(I’m coming home)
War it’s now or never
We shall stand together
One by one
This world is sacred
I’m coming home
(HOOOOOOOOOOME!)

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