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Two Worlds 2: Castle Defense rushes to Mac, PC & iOS on May 17
Waiting for the next big Two Worlds event is rough -- we know. September is, like, ages away, and don't even get us started on 2012 (who knows if this world will even still be around then). But, surprise! Publisher TopWare Interactive has announced Two Worlds 2: Castle Defense, coming to Mac, PC and iOS on May 17. As the title suggests, rather than role-playing in a fantasy world, you'll be defending towers in a fantasy world, controlling various combat units and striking down the forces of Gandalf's evil twin, Gandohar. Of course, this still leaves us waiting more than three weeks for the next big Two Worlds event. However will we-- surprise! The demo is available right now, so stick that in your impatience pipe and smoke it. Is that not how demos work?%Gallery-122088%
Two Worlds 2 expansion, 'Pirates of the Flying Fortress,' coming in September
We knew we hadn't seen the last of Two Worlds with a new game planned for next year, but a recent announcement has revealed that we haven't seen the last of Two Worlds, um, 2, either. Topware has launched a website for "Pirates of the Flying Fortress," "the official expansion pack" for the Two Worlds sequel. The expansion is said to serve up "exotic flair, new enemies, new settings and new weapons," in addition to thunderstorms and rain. New multiplayer maps and single-player content with also be included. Then there's the much anticipated "impact-oriented horse armor." "Pirates of the Flying Fortress" will launch as a "multi-platform title" (perhaps to be released both as a bundle with the original game and as a DLC add-on) for Xbox 360, PS3, PC and Mac platforms this September. "The good old 'Two Worlds' atmosphere waits," promises the announcement, "which is yet quite different this time around."
TopWare says Two Worlds 2 is done, disputes SouthPeak's delay claim
Awwwkward. Two Worlds 2 was recently delayed in North America until January 2011 because, according to regional publisher SouthPeak, it planned to take the extra time for "heavyweight quality assurance," so the game was "absolutely flawless" for launch. TopWare Interactive, a subsidiary of the game's European publisher Zuxxez, apparently didn't appreciate that messaging and called it "factually incorrect." Speaking to Gamespot, TopWare's managing director, James Seaman, said the delay was made because of the "exceptionally crowded" holiday season. The company (which oversees Two Worlds 2 developer Reality Pump) allegedly finished all "production, bug testing and localization" work in mid-September and plans to release the game in a few territories on October 21. The January launch in North America will feature the same content as the European release, except for the expected patch updates. This whole messaging debacle gives us an Alpha Protocol vibe. Hopefully, it'll have a more positive outcome.
Two Worlds 2 receives second delay in two weeks, begins quest in January 2011
Two Worlds 2 was supposed to launch ... well, it was originally going to release the same same week as Halo: Reach, but then it wised up and moved to October, and now it seems publisher SouthPeak feels it best to just move it to January 2011. The publisher plans to take the extra time for "heavyweight quality assurance" so that the title is "absolutely flawless" for its launch. The new date is officially only for North America, with an updated release date for the UK, Australia and New Zealand coming "in the near future."
Two Worlds 2 takes scenic route, now launching October 5
So, we thought Two Worlds 2 was supposed to launch this week -- and we were not alone in this thinking -- but it turns out the game's release date has been quietly moved. A representative for Southpeak told Joystiq today that Two Worlds 2 is scheduled to make its retail appearance on October 5 in North America. (Although we asked, no new European date was provided.) Guess someone figured out launching the same week as Halo: Reach probably isn't the best move ... right, Cabela?
Two Worlds 2 'Sordahon's Journey' videos contain vinyl, padding, humility
Look, Two Worlds had issues. You know it. We know it. Everyone knows it. Apparently "everyone" includes the folks at SouthPeak, who have released the first episodes in a new video series entitled "Sordahon's Journey." The series follows the villainous Sordahon as he strives to break free from the shackles of his master and the stigma of the first Two Worlds. Granted, you won't learn a lot about Two Worlds 2, but you're guaranteed a chuckle or two, and it's nice to see game creators poking fun at themselves.
Two Worlds 2 debut trailer pours on the drama
Seemingly hearing the plea to convert our "non-pessimism" about Two World 2 into actual optimism, Topware Interactive has released a new trailer for the game. It's packed with thumping music and positive quotes from the press, and it certainly sets the stage. There's also a moment where an Orc kicks a dude in the face, so that's nice. We should be getting some hands-on time with the game at E3. Here's hoping that Reality Pump has fleshed out the potential we saw at PAX East.
Two Worlds 2 pre-order bonus includes unique sword and bonus area
You, like ourselves, may have noticed a gnawing curiosity in Two Worlds 2 growing over the past few months. The sequel does, after all, let you freeze people with lightning bolts. If you're dead set on sating your curiosity, SouthPeak has let us in on a pair of bonuses you would receive if you pre-ordered Two Worlds 2 from GameStop: First is the Luciendar, which you probably already know is "the fabled weapon used to defeat the mighty desert dragon Tang'Raoul." Basically, it's a giant, super-powerful, two-handed sword that you'll be able to access once your character reaches level 15. Second is "the Labyrinth," an exclusive bonus area with its own set of quests that publisher SouthPeak has detailed to a hyper-nerdy extent after the break. %Gallery-92963%
Two Worlds 2 arrives on our world September 14
We've already gone on record as saying that Two Worlds II doesn't look nearly as terrible as we fully expected it to, but we're still a little surprised to report we were genuinely, non-ironically excited to see that it had been officially dated this morning. Publisher SouthPeak says the open-world action-RPG will arrive on Sept. 14 on PS3, 360 and PC. Perhaps before then we'll get our hands on the game and be able convert our "non-pessimism" to "optimism." Here's hoping! %Gallery-89295%
Impressions: Two Worlds II
I rush back to the PAX East press room, locked in that strange place between disbelief and acceptance, nigh incapacitated by the surreal certainty that my worldview is in the process of being fundamentally shifted. "Guys," I say to the collected Joystiq staffers fully expecting my verbal evisceration of TopWare's follow-up. "Guys ... Two Worlds II actually looks kind of cool." They don't believe me. %Gallery-89295%
Two Worlds II site updates with new screens, 'moveshots'
The official Two Worlds II site has added a handful of screens and something called "moveshots" -- three-second clips featuring some of the game's characters in idle poses. Do idle animation clips get you hyped up for the third-person sequel to a less-than-stellar role-playing title? Mind you, if the latest batch of screens represents developer Reality Pump's way of showcasing its state-of-the-art, horrific medieval clown technology, then a hearty "job well done." Look at them in the shot above, they're the stuff of nightmares! More screens and those "moveshot" things are available on the game's official site.
Why Two Worlds II isn't Two Worlds: The Temptation
After the announcement of Two Worlds II, we assumed -- erroneously, it turns out -- that developer Reality Pump had ditched the subtitle attached to the previously announced Two Worlds: The Temptation, and gone with a number. In reality, there was a lot more to it than that. The short version, from publisher Zuxxez PR director Joerg Schindler: "The Temptation had been canceled due to technical outdating [sic]. We use a complete new engine for Two Worlds II."
Hey, someone's making Two Worlds II
So this is kinda confusing, try to roll with us. Developer Reality Pump announced that it's working on Two Worlds II, due this winter. Only ... it had already announced a sequel to Oblivion-esque FPS RPG called Two Worlds: The Temptation. We're pretty sure the team just decided to go with the number instead of the subtitle, but we guess we'll never know. (OK, so the story's a bit weirder than we thought.) Set two years after the original, TW II promises "completely overhauled AI and balancing standards, experienced authors, [an] active combat system and the brand-new engine." Here's hoping the changes can make the sequel not so ... you know ... wretched? [Via Eurogamer]
Two Worlds 'unfairly compared to Oblivion' by reviewers
In its interview with developer Reality Pump, OXM diplomatically asks why "the most epic RPG of all time," Two Worlds, was met with such a "mixed" reception from reviewers. The interviewee (who, quite oddly, is never named in the article) suggests that it was the comparison between the developer's open-ended fantasy RPG and Bethesda's open-ended fantasy RPG, The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, that did the scores in. "I can't say for sure, but I suspect that it was unfairly compared to Oblivion," says the spokesperson. "It's understandable since Elder Scrolls was so good it basically set the standard."Ah, that would explain why Worth Playing labeled Two Worlds a "sub-par RPG with a sub-par storyline, sub-par gameplay, sub-par sounds, and very sub-par multiplayer." Reality Pump further notes that one of the game's major failings was being stuffed with ideas. "With the original idea, we were all so excited to be working on an RPG, that we tried to fit in every idea we had, even the ones that came late in the process. Ultimately, this hurt the end product in that it had parts that were underdeveloped."Will the expansion-turned-sequel, Two Worlds: The Temptation be better? "It's better in every aspect, and we know that many reading this have their doubts. All I can say is give us a chance to prove it." Fair enough -- as long as you don't mind us comparing it to Oblivion.
Two Worlds devs admit to and learn from faults
OXM UK just published a rather candid interview with Two Worlds developer Reality Pump where they discuss what went wrong with their icky RPG and what they're doing differently with The Temptation sequel. So, onto the blame game!Reality Pump admits that they bit off way more than they could chew with Two Worlds, citing total inexperience when it came to console development which led to the game's lackluster graphics and gameplay. Development on the title also got discombobulated (yes, that is a word) when their team "tried to fit in every idea" which ultimately "hurt the end product in that it had parts that were underdeveloped". Overall, this was their first step into the next gen ring and admitting to ones' missteps is, well ... very noble.Reality Pump promises fans that they learned from their Two Worlds mistakes, have a new engine, new voice actors, a new writer and a more focused development schedule planned for Two Worlds: The Temptation. Hopefully the sequel can stand on its own and distance itself from the Oblivion comparisons because, no matter how great the game ends up being, we don't think it'll ever win.[Thanks, PrivateRyan]
More DLC arrives for Two Worlds
Stop the presses! What's that, we don't have presses? Well then carry on! Ladies and gentlemen another momentous day is upon us as yet another piece of downloadable content has arrived for Two Worlds. Honestly, we're hard-pressed to tell the difference between this round of DLC and the pack that was released last month. Both contain 35 new quests and a PVP mode in which players "battle one another in an innovative player-versus-player challenge where opponents battle to control magical orbs within a variety of arenas." No, seriously, the press releases for each piece of DLC used the exact same wording to describe the new PVP mode. So, we're not sure if both packs come with the same PVP arenas or not. Still, that's a total of 70 new quests if you're so inclined. Oh, and just so you can tell them apart, the newest piece of DLC is called Curse of Souls. It will run you 600 Microsoft Points.
Two Worlds expansion Curse of Souls hits the Marketplace
While we doubt Oblivion will credit Reality Pump's Two Worlds as the wind beneath its wings, we still can't help but wonder if it's cold there living in the shadow of Bethesda's role-playing opus. Nevertheless, the lesser of the two open-ended RPGs continues to get love by way of downloadable content, the latest of which dropped today over Xbox Live. Dubbed Curse of Souls, the 600 point multiplayer-focused affair is the game's second, following the already available Tainted Blood, and promises, among other things, an extra 10 hours of content spread over 35 new quests. The download also adds a player-versus-player arena throwdown in the town of Tharnburg, no doubt making for a thrilling spectacle for the handful of players still frolicking in the world of Antaloor as they wait for the game's recently confirmed sequel.[Via Press Release]
Two Worlds: The Temptation actually a sequel, not expansion
Despite previous reports that the Two Worlds project entitled The Temptation would be an expansion to the original game, it turns out that it will actually serve as a full sequel to Two Worlds. According to the press release, the game will feature a new game engine with "visuals that have to be seen to be believed" alongside "more intricate missions," better voice-overs and animation (oh thank God), improved horseback riding, and "completely revamped combat." The press release included a handful of screenshots that are definitely a step above the original, though we're waiting to see the game in motion before we make any judgments. It seems Reality Pump is aware of gamer's disappointment with the original, as chief developer Miroslaw Dymek notes, "We've taken to heart all the comments made by gamers about Two Worlds and we're going to give them what they want with the sequel." We'll find out if Two Worlds: The Temptation delivers when it releases this fall.%Gallery-18857%
Two Worlds: The Temptation dated for fall, now called a sequel
It appears as if SouthPeak and developer Reality Pump have big plans for Two Worlds: The Temptation, as the previously announced release has been upgraded from mere expansion to full-on sequel status, with the game expected to ship to retail this fall for both the PC and Xbox 360. The Temptation will pick up following the events in the first game, a title mind you that was almost universally derided when it was released in 2007.While SouthPeak remains mum on many of the sequel's specifics, the company notes that The Temptation will pack in "as much content as the original," as well as a new graphics engine, improved voice overs and "more intricate" missions. The publisher also describes the sequel's combat as "revamped," a fancy term that we hope translates to "not horribly broken."%Gallery-18838%
Two Worlds expansion to tempt you in 2008
Sure, Two Worlds may not have the best reviews or consumer confidence right now, but that doesn't make it beyond salvation (just look at the now-awesome Boom Boom Rocket). An expansion for the game, dubbed The Temptation, is coming second quarter 2008. According to WorthPlaying (pictures), Temptation has what you'd expect from an expansion: new areas, new baddies, new abilities and better AI. The real question is will Temptation tempt you to (re)visit Two Worlds next year?
