Result : 8 - Enjoyable, polished and very playable.
 | Graphics: 8 - Clear and smooth running. |
| FMV : 7 - Just a little cartoony looking. |
| Sound : 7 - Not as extensive as PC version. |
| Music : 6 - Interesting, but slightly repetitive. |
| A.I. : 6 - Reasonable, but mainly charge tactics. |
| Lifespan : 8 - Huge, loads of extra levels, and skirmish type games. |
| Gameplay : 8 - Involving, but not as frantic as C&C. |
| Adrenaline : 7 - Less micro management, more killing. |
Warcraft 2 was originally released on the PC, this conversion is good, very good in fact. With only slight loses in the "frilly bits", it maintains all the gameplay, and all the action. The storyline runs on about the orcs coming from some other dimension looking for new worlds to conquer. You can play as either these or the valiant humans (and elves & dwarfs) that are resisting them.
There are a whole stack of units to play with, and building various structures allows different upgrades, or new units to be accessed. There is a combined-arms feel to the gameplay, with control of the seas being quite important, and a lesser emphasis on air-power. Melding all three successfully can lead to impressive attacks, while miss-managing your units attacks can lead to defeat.
The Graphics are colourful, smooth, and well defined - little difference from what I remember of the PC version. Sound is somewhat more limited, with units only saying one or two quotes, however the combat sounds are suitably grisly. The control mechanism is fine once you get going. Although better grouping of units would have been a bonus.
While not as frantic as Command and Conquer, and outclassed in just about every department by Warzone 2100, this a quality game which will involve you. Often you spend 75% of a missions time building you base and units, and the last 25% (now that you are secure) wiping out the enemy. This makes the game seem somewhat sedate, until combat time where things can be over all too quickly for you liking. Enjoyable, polished and very playable.
| Codes | |||||||||
| During the normal gameplay, press start to bring up the options menu. Select "Enter Password" then type one or more of the following: | |||||||||
| NSCRN | Gives you the full map | ||||||||
| GLTTRNG | 100,000 gold, 5000 trees | ||||||||
| VLDZ | 5000 oil | ||||||||
| MKTS | Faster building | ||||||||
| DCKMT | Upgrades everything to best | ||||||||
| VRYLTTL | Gives you all the spells | ||||||||
| TSGDDYTD | Invincibility | ||||||||
| THRCNBNL | See the end of the game. | ||||||||
| YPTFLWRM | Automatic Game Loss | ||||||||
| NVRWNNR | Don't End the Mission | ||||||||
| HTCHTXMS | More Lumber | ||||||||
| NTTCLNS | Game Victory | ||||||||
| NTPRF | Laser show | ||||||||
| NGLS | Disable magical traps (runes, ect.) | ||||||||
| DISCO | Play "funky" music | ||||||||
| Tides of Darkness Human Alliance Level Codes | |||||||||
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| Beyond The Dark Portal Human Alliance Level Codes | |||||||||
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| View the FMV Sequences | |||||||||
| At the Password Screen, enter the following: | |||||||||
| New Opening | CLMX | ||||||||
| HTOD Opening | TDPNNG | ||||||||
| HTOD Act II | HKHZMD | ||||||||
| HTOD Act III | NRTHLN | ||||||||
| HTOD Act IV | RTNTZR | ||||||||
| HTOD Victory | HTDVCT | ||||||||
| OTOD Act II | RCKHZM | ||||||||
| OTOD Act III | QLTHLS | ||||||||
| OTOD Act IV | TDSFDR | ||||||||
| OTOD Victory | RCTDVC | ||||||||
| DP Opening | DPPNNG | ||||||||
| HDP Act II | DRNRTH | ||||||||
| HDP Act III | HWRNTH | ||||||||
| HDP Act IV | HMSRFV | ||||||||
| HDP Victory | HDPVCT | ||||||||
| ODP Act II | BRNNGF | ||||||||
| ODP Act III | RCGRTS | ||||||||
| ODP Act IV | PRLDTN | ||||||||
| ODP Victory | RCDPVC | ||||||||
