Orcs Must Die 2 is a very good example of how sequels should be made. It feels much like a continuation of the first game rather than a new game entirely. The addition of multiplayer, which is the mode I have been primarily playing, is a nice update to the game. I chose to play as the War Mage again because I didn’t want to play the Sorceress just yet. I suppose for the illusion of continuity. My friend has been playing the Sorceress, so I suppose it makes for a more well-rounded/balanced multiplayer experience?

I won’t spend too much time rehashing the mechanics of the game. It is a tower defense and dungeon crawler hybrid and veterans of the first game will find many of the traps and hirelings familiar. I never did finish the first game so I missed out on the story, but it isn’t too difficult to pick up. The writers did a decent job with the back story, explaining in a line or two what had happened in the previous game so newcomers aren’t totally lost.

I intend on finishing the game, but a lot of my gameplay time is dictated by how long I can play and how often. My friend whom I play with usually is able to play late, but I am unwilling to stay up too late. Most times, play sessions are 15-30 minutes. I have hit the halfway mark, however. I also had a little over a week to play, but again, I don’t even play for consecutive days. I have played solo on three maps so far, but that was because I had some time to kill. In over a week, that is all of the solo play I’ve had time for, so you can imagine how pressed I am for time.

Much like the first game, the cartoony art style coupled with humorous lines (and some new ones like “Not again!” to reemphasize the sequel attribute of this game) makes for a very fun and playful experience. The story, I felt, is a little more serious than the first game. I am basing it off of an over year-old memory of the first game, however. The music is familiar from the first game, not intrusive but enhances the mood.

It’s a short review this week. If I had more time to play, I probably would have finished the game by now and might have had more to say. Since the sequel is very much like the first game (from memory), I don’t have much more to add. I would definitely play this beyond one week and I probably will end up doing so until I can clear some room in my schedule to start up a new one-week game.