Review: Spellforce 3 [PC]
And then even a Monday morning. I have just brewed today's big cup of luxury mocha - thank you Peter Larsen - and, to endure the rest of the day, I have to get lost into another universe for a couple of hours. This dark December Monday offers everything from task feedback to practice puppetry. It's a tough life. Or is it it? For my dear chief editor Magnus has just completed the ticket for the escape I'm waiting for. A review key for the long-lived 3's in the Spellforce series ... Spellforce 3. A literal, straightforward and understandable title, but maybe not exactly creative. My expectations may not be tough, but the expansion of a trilogy for the Spellforce games is still something I've been looking forward to.
As a 12 year old, I used my primary computer time to bump into Blizzard's Warcraft universe. More specifically in Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos - most like energy. It was the combination of role-playing and real-time strategy games that caught. Immediately I was not so good at it, but I enjoyed it. Spellforce took this form to its logical extremity, and so I found that way too. The game probably did not have the same depth as mechanical as my beloved Warcraft, but it was nerd enough to enjoy and nerd enough to engage. The two game genres might not mix as fluently as desired, but nevertheless, Spellforce was entertaining enough to to be stored and later digitally acquired via Good Old Games - yes, both the 1 and 2. Intact with tweenage nostalgia and patina.
Reward until Monday afternoon, December 2017. After a few hours in the 3, I can see that there is not much that has changed. What the Spellforce series looks like, the blend between role-playing and strategy stars, is still as awkward and played almost independently. When you have finished exploring the world of Eos with its hero of heroes, there are just a few rogue workers arriving and traveling a cabin or two. Afterwards you can do that again, just remember to check in at "hotel RTS" on a regular basis. Which really is fine, because the strategic operation is pretty automated - you designate X number of workers for a given job in a given building, you travel a barrack, and then you make a bunch of soldiers. Subsequently you make more soldiers. Then the rest settles itself. It's really the only reason to consistently return to your home.
The role-playing part has a similar aftertaste. You can throw some equipment on your people, you can give them some extra skill points of different kind as they go up and you can multiply your skill points in six different typical categories. It works, but it is perfectly colorless and quite insistent compared to earlier in the series - especially compared to the 2s. Unlike the wide open combinations that were in previous games in the series, you are locked to three out of six categories per player character. I do not understand these limitations in both gameplay and unfolding possibilities.
Spellforce 3 seems to have a new start, as it takes place immediately before the major worldwide semi-apocalyptic event The Convocation, which is based on the one. There was the opportunity to create a unique and exciting world, but it will be unfortunately lost on the floor with a resounding bang. Imagine the most typical medieval fantasy world you can and then you have the southern Eo. Elves, orcs, dwarfs, people, think Tolkien, you have such a role-list. Preserved, it has always been in the Spellforce series, but here there was an opportunity for some innovation, and it's not used at all. The world is just not exciting to explore and experience. Everything is seen before in other better games.
The narrative aspect is also quite boring. In a certain shape it may be more easily plagiarized. As a son or daughter of traitor Isamo Tahar, you must prove your worth and it in a world where all magic ability and use is feared and illegitimate because of your father. The newly overcome Mage Wars have proclaimed a religious cult that has grown their influence to huge proportions, and now judgmental power is taking place over all wizards and women - with the support of the court and the broad community. Now you have to investigate a mysterious bother called Bloodburn, which ravages the surrounding villages, and the conspiracies are suddenly in line.
Wait a minute, is not it about the same background story as in the Witcher series? Order of the Flaming Rose, anyone? The concern is furthermore because Doug Cockle, Geralts English voice, is the voice of one of the protagonists of history. Is it not nearly the same narrative that is being told in Original Sin duology? Magicians are also some worse starters in the universe as far as I remember. Frankly, THQ Nordic and Grimelore Games, is it really how you want to process a new-requested IP? It's all so uninspiring and complete without personality.
Yes, it describes my experience well after about ten hours of Spellforce 3 - without personality. Simply mechanical, the game works well and fans of the series will undoubtedly feel at home. There are a few mistakes here and here, it will definitely be patched when the game is launched. But it's just so badly boring. Even creating your own character is boring. You are a human regardless, and you have three choices between thin, medium or large body types, six different wigs to touch, a bit of skin shades to shine through and a few different facial expressions. No color shaders, no muscle mass, no personality. Apropos' characterization, so the voice drama ranges from Doug Cockle's rumbling, rusty expression, to a point where even Tommy Wiseau sounds more engaged when he says he did not beat his girlfriend. The people you meet on your way also tend to gang completely unruly and completely without reason. Never have I heard so many F bombs thrown so often in a fantasy game. In addition, the character you make is consistently referred to as 'he', regardless of gender - which is a definite embarrassment.
The sound side seems pretty unpredictable. There is one orchestral ledmotiv that is repeated over and over when finally some background music is running. The match music is then, and the realden consists of one kind of sound to stroke, and a couple of sound bites from each gender to grin. There are birdwatching spots, natural sounds and so on - it's accomplished, but certainly not a first place. Like so much else in Spellforce 3, it's not bad, it's just without character. The graphical expression is also quite average. The textures are even, slightly obsolete compared to other games, and there is not a lot of fun for anything. Everything outside the arbitrary focus circle on the card also has this strange dirty filter over it. It makes it annoying to plan moves and progress on the card because you parteau must have your heroes and troops over it before it disappears. Even if you've discovered that area before.
I almost do not manage to mess up with more. Two days in a game, which in every possible way is fairly functional and playable, but in no way memorable. It hurts me so much, because Spellforce 3 could really have helped to revitalize the series. Beautifully updated graphics, a reminder of the action-focused Click'n'Fight system, and a really thorough review of the interaction between the RPG and RTS style were what should have happened, but instead we got what we have now . A clumsy, but highly customizable graphical interface, developers who seem scared to take chances, and mediocre graphics are just a few descriptions I can throw on my experience, even though the point is just as in a goal now.
I'm missing a bite, I'm missing edge! Not saying that all releases should endeavor to reinvent the deep plate, but at least try to differentiate yourself from the crowd. Just a clue? I probably do not finish Spellforce 3, in that game as such appeals to a fan like me. But it will not be the same desire that I go ahead. It will last when I get it.
Obtain it if you, like me, have the urge to complete the series. It also runs an offer of -10% up to the release date. Otherwise find another game to spend your time on. For example, Spellforce 2, which is much better.
