I know there's a few Disciples II players out there, and I'm hoping we can get some more if I praise the game enough.
If you don't know, Disciples II is a turn-based game with amazing graphics. It's marginally similar to Heroes of Might and Magic, only better (well, at least better than HOMM 4). If you buy the Rise of the Elves expansion (which contains the original game (Dark Prophecy) + a new race with attendant campaign) there are 5 well-balanced races to choose from; Empire (humans), Mountain Clans (dwarves and giants), Legions of the Damned (devils) Undead Hordes (self explanatory) and Elves (allied with centaurs).
This has to be one of the most engaging and addictive games I've ever played. I bought it about three weeks ago and it has usurped 90% of my game-play time. You can pick one of three types of lords; warrior, mage or guildmaster. Warriors regenerate 15% of their troops' HP per turn, mages can research spells for half cost and cast each spell twice a day (the others can only cast each spell once/day), and guildmasters build up towns for half cost and get all kinds of cool thieving options.
There are five types of hero leaders (as distinct from lords); leaders are the actual heroes you control on the map. The above three, along with two special types - rod planters who capture mines, and thieves, who can poison enemies, steal, and duel enemy leaders. If you have a guildmaster lord, your thieves can assassinate, provoke riots in cities, create havoc with an enemy's battle order, and so much more. All leaders except thieves can carry a small party of troops with them - maximum 5, plus the leader who also fights in combat.
Both heroes and their troops gain experience. Troops can upgrade into tougher and better troops if you build buildings in your town and gain the required experience. You must choose carefully, as some basic troops have several potential upgrade paths to follow, each with their own particular strengths. If you were disgusted by the half-hearted ripoff of this system used in HOMM IV, put your fears to rest. This is the way it is *supposed* to work.
This game is outwardly simple, but with strategic and tactical subtleties that make it fun. Each of the five races have their own strengths and weaknesses, and three different lord types means that you can play 3 very different styles of game on the same map with the same race.
In short, if you like or think you'd like turn-based strategy games, Disciples II is an overlooked gem. You can test out two free demos (the Empire demo has a tutorial):
http://www.strategyplanet.com/disciples2/download.htm
Feel free to comment or ask any questions about this game whatsoever.
[ 08-04-2004, 02:01 PM: Message edited by: Aerich ]