[h1][b] TLDR: A genuine improvement over the original in nearly every way, but its co-op focused design means solo players can easily face frustration over its duo designed levels.
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[h1]PROS: [/h1]
➕Massive improvements over OMD1
➕Expanded trap progression
➕Trinkets allows a slot to provide a passive effect
➕Leaderboards & Endless waves to improve replay value
[h1]CONS: [/h1]
➖Can’t remove upgrades from a single trap - have to redo everything
➖The game seems built for co-op, which means a solo player is going to have a worse time
➖A trap limit for playing solo??
[url=https://steamcommunity.com/id/Synikx/recommended/102600?snr=1_5_9__402]My review for Orcs Must Die 1 (OMD) is here[/url]
[h1] [b] Content (Game world/Narrative) – [6/10] [/b] [/h1]
The game world largely remains unchanged from OMD - there are various maps that serve as arenas for the tower defense. The maps do seem more varied here than just a simple castle-like environment, which is good. There is still no meaningful exploration or secrets to be found though.
Continues the small narrative from the first game, but this time the antagonist joins the war mage as an optional 2nd character or co-op companion.
[h1][b] Gameplay (Mechanics/Difficulty) – [7/10] [/b] [/h1]
It appears on the surface that the mechanics have been significantly improved, but there are some evident negatives that I found.
The biggest improvement is the trap progression. I liked the upgrade system and how you can choose a specialization for each trap. Thankfully, with the improved trap progression, there’s also the ability to reset improvements. I sorely wish that I could simply remove improvements from a single trap instead of being forced to remove them from all traps.
There’s also expanded items to slot. Aside from just traps, there’s a slew of new weapons, and even trinkets now which give you a passive effect. Very nice, but an unfortunate side effect is that your slots are now insanely valuable. With how the levels are set up and expanded for co-op, if you’re playing solo you really need to utilize every given slot for your traps, guardians, and now passive setups.
This game can be exceptionally difficult, mostly due to the fact that this seems very heavily focused on co-op, so much so that you're going to have a rough time solo playing some of the levels. The later half of the story is frustratingly annoying as I constantly sprinted between 4 rooms trying to keep track of constantly flowing in orcs. This would have been much better with a 2nd person.
[h1] [b] Graphics (Quality/Technical) – [6/10] [/b] [/h1]
Another massive improvement over OMD is not so much the graphics, but the technical side.
Graphically, this is very slightly better than OMD, still around PS3-era.
Technical side, while there still isn’t a lot of PC-focused options, there is a lot less bugs and issues with the UI and crashes.
There were some bugs as well, but nothing like OMD, much better here.
1440p @ 240hz | installed on SSD
[h1] [b] Audio – [6/10] [/b] [/h1]
Very similar audio as OMD, mostly having 2 variations of the music.
There’s more voice acting over OMD, still good quality.
[h1] [b] Replay Factor (Longevity) – [6/10] [/b] [/h1]
Improved replay value here with more levels, endless mode, two different characters, each with their own traps, and of course co-op.
[h1] [b] Final Verdict – [6/10] [/b] [/h1]
Orcs Must Die! 2 (OMD2) brings the OMD series two steps forward, and one step back. Nearly every area of the game has had great improvements. Things like mechanics and technical aspects are much better. However, all the shiny new mechanics and technical parts can’t change the foundational design of the game being focused on a co-op experience. That means i you’re playing solo, like I was, then you may have a bad time.
Like OMD2 does, I want to focus on the co-op aspects and how this impacts the game as a solo player.
What becomes evident as you get further into the levels is how much of a pain it is to cover 4+ paths of orcs. Having another player would alleviate much of the stress between jumping constantly between lanes trying to stop orcs that got through your trap field. Even on the “Normal” difficulty of Warmage, its easy to get overwhelmed with trying to cover so many lanes.
There’s also 2 different characters, each with their own traps. They tend to compliment each other, so by playing solo with one your missing out on some fundamental traps that the other has, like playing as the sorceress and not having the Tar trap is rough.
All of these are major factors that a solo player should consider. You can definitely beat the game as solo, but when it comes to scoring high on the leaderboards or even just maxing the skulls for the levels, you’re going to have a tough time.
Overall though, I believe that OMD2 has made net positive changes over OMD1 and thus this is easier to recommend as the better game.
[h1] [b] Recommend? (Price) [Y/N] [/b] [/h1]
[h1]Yes[/h1]
$15 base price is decent for the amount of content here, but the historical low of $1.50 is absolutely worth it, especially if you’re playing with a friend.
You can find my curator page here: https://steamcommunity.com/groups/Synik_GR
