Legends of Amberland II: The Song of Trees

Solid Retro cRPG in the spirit of the old Might & Magic games. Not quite as deep as those games, but a fun none the less.

Gefällt mir jetzt schon (noch) besser als der erste Teil. Sehr viele QoL Verbesserungen,. Man muss diese Art Spiel mögen, mich fesselt die Serie wie kaum ein anderes Spiel in diesem Jahr. Habe den ersten Teil Ende September entdeckt, ihn in ca 5 Tagen (25 Stunden) durchgespielt. Teil 2 ist jetzt dran... ... und das Beste Teil 3 erscheint im Dezember!!! Gerne Teil 4 Mitte 2026 :-)

TL;DR Try the demo. If you can deal with the big-blob pixel art with no voice acting, there's a really fun game here. This fun party-based CRPG reminds me of Might and Magic 7. However, this game has good quality of life with easy inventory management and spell casting. Battles tell players what's going on and resolve quickly (hit f for a character to repeat the last action) but don't rush me (turn based). It has an innovative (or at least new to me) system of resistance to bad statuses, clearly explained when hovering with the mouse. Plenty here to satisfy, all of it explained simply. It allows saves out of combat, so finding out the hard way that that new enemy type is too tough is just a quick reload. It has a playable demo and adjustable difficulty levels. Party member spots 3, 4, and 5 are the front row, which is targeted by far the most. Spots 1, 2, 6, and 7 are flanks, targeted way less but included in AOE. Also great: on the big map screen, I can make short color-coded notes (red is too hard, green is complete., etc.) This REALLY helps find the specific NPC again, too, with a note like "Adv Body Build Trainer 2500g". Personally, I despise pixel graphics. I get so much more absorbed into games where people and landscapes look somewhat realistic instead of blobs of pixels. Voice acting, even short bits from my party, really draw me in, too. This game has giant-pixel art and no voice acting. BUT I still really like it despite those limits. And I freely admit the pixel art is well done and took skill... I just have 0 nostalgia for blobby pixels where I can't tell that my people have eyebrows and that green triangle blob is a tree. I'll get the third one eventually (gotta beat II first!) I'll probably skip the first one, as it looks from reviews like II made real improvements over I. Final note: I'm playing on a Linux desktop, and it just works!

Legends of Amberland II is a thoughtfully crafted indie RPG that captures the spirit of classic Western role-playing games while introducing its own distinct twists and challenges. Building upon the foundation laid by its predecessor, this sequel invites players into a richly detailed fantasy world filled with mystery, danger, and tactical combat. Its old-school sensibilities combined with modern design elements make it a rewarding experience for fans of traditional RPGs seeking depth, exploration, and strategic battles. The game’s narrative places players in the role of a leader tasked with assembling a party of adventurers to confront the growing threats looming over the kingdom of Amberland. The story unfolds in an expansive, open-world environment teeming with quests, secrets, and lore waiting to be discovered. While the plot embraces familiar fantasy tropes such as ancient evils, political intrigue, and heroic journeys, it is presented with enough nuance and variety to keep players invested. Dialogue and character interactions, though somewhat straightforward, effectively build a sense of immersion, and players can feel their choices impacting the world around them. One of the standout features of Legends of Amberland II is its tactical combat system. The turn-based battles emphasize positioning, resource management, and strategic use of skills, encouraging players to think several moves ahead. Encounters range from skirmishes with goblins and undead to more complex fights against powerful bosses that test the party’s coordination and preparation. The combat can be punishing, rewarding patience and tactical thinking over brute force, and the variety of character classes and abilities adds layers of depth to party composition and battle strategy. Character progression is robust, offering multiple classes and a skill system that allows players to customize their adventurers to fit preferred playstyles. Whether focusing on melee combat, magic, or support roles, the game provides ample opportunities for experimentation and specialization. Additionally, the equipment system, while classic in design, is satisfying, with players scavenging for gear and upgrades that meaningfully affect combat effectiveness and survival. The inventory and resource management add an extra layer of strategic planning, especially given the limited supplies and the difficulty of some encounters. Exploration is a core pillar of the game, with a world filled with dungeons, hidden caves, and ancient ruins to uncover. The map design rewards curiosity, as players are encouraged to thoroughly search every corner for valuable loot, lore fragments, and side quests that enrich the main story. The pacing of exploration and combat is well balanced, allowing moments of tension and discovery to breathe between challenging battles. While the graphics adopt a retro-inspired, pixel-art style that might not impress those seeking high-end visuals, the art direction suits the game’s nostalgic tone and supports the atmosphere effectively. The game’s sound design and music also contribute positively to the experience, featuring a soundtrack that complements the medieval fantasy setting with a mix of ambient and melodic tracks. Sound effects during combat and exploration are functional and immersive, helping to enhance the sense of presence in the world. Despite its many strengths, Legends of Amberland II does present some challenges. The game’s difficulty curve can be steep, potentially discouraging less experienced players who are unfamiliar with tactical RPGs. Certain user interface elements feel a bit dated or clunky, making inventory management and character upgrades somewhat cumbersome. Additionally, some quests and storylines could benefit from more depth or variation to avoid feeling repetitive over the long haul. However, these issues are relatively minor and do not significantly detract from the overall experience. Performance is solid across a range of systems, with minimal bugs or crashes reported. Load times are quick, and the game’s design keeps technical distractions to a minimum, allowing players to focus on the strategic and narrative elements that make the title engaging. In conclusion, Legends of Amberland II is a commendable follow-up that successfully captures the essence of classic Western RPGs while injecting fresh ideas and strategic complexity. Its rich world, tactical combat, and rewarding exploration create a compelling experience for players who enjoy methodical gameplay and immersive storytelling. Though it may require patience and a willingness to embrace its old-school challenges, the game stands as a strong recommendation for RPG enthusiasts seeking a deep, nostalgic adventure in a meticulously crafted fantasy realm. Rating: 9/10

Solid game, just like it's predecessor. It did feel at times that there was more focus on mowing down hordes of creatures rather than the questing/mini bosses that gave the original such charm for me, but if you enjoyed the first one you'll enjoy this.

Отличное уютное приключение на несколько вечеров для любителей партийных РПГ. По ощущениям и атмосфере очень похожа на ММ 3-5, только попроще и поудобнее.

Identical in every meaningful way to Legends of Amberland 1. A fun, simple dungeon crawler. I do hope that the dev takes a few more risks with the 3rd iteration however. Simplicity is the key with the Amberland games, but some additional complexity in exploration or character building would be welcome. No prior knowledge of the 1st game is needed. Welcoming to newcomers as well.

No entiendo, cual es la diferencia entre el primero y este?? todo es igual y veo que la 3ra entrega es igual, podria haber lanzado expansiones del juego base.

It's essentially the same game as the first part, except (as one would expect) a little bigger, a little deeper, a little smoother. So if you're into this type of game, and especially if you liked the first part, just grab it. If this type of game is not your style, why are you even here? You don't get directed to this by chance from Battlefield 6, right?

Klasyczny turowy rpg w starym dobrym stylu. Polecam.