How I hanker for a simpler time , when state of the artistry action game were render in two dimensions and usually involved hand - to - hand combat of some character . Such is the epoch recreated inRage of Magic II , Gamebrew.com ’s illusion fighting adventure game for Mac , Windows , and Linux .
A convoluted story argument involving a paladin and masters of short and sorry magic trick is the fussy backdrop for this biz , but the authoritative thing to know is that you ’re going to face up off against a lot of bad Guy . And to do so , you ’re going to need to practice paw - to - hand fight and magical skills at the same time .
What ’s fun about Rage of Magic II is the combining attack you could do . If you recall those old arcade games , they frequently paired a stick with an regalia of release that would permit you combine magic or strong attacks with your normal hacking - and - slashing motions when confront off against an enemy . Rage of Magic II is no different — you move your fiber using keyboard keys and activate compounding , magic , affright and topnotch attack by constrict different keys .
There ’s also a two - player accommodative mode you’re able to play from the same keyboard .
Rage of Magic II forces you to play a tutorial the first time you set up it so you get a line the basic mechanics — irritating after the first dyad of times you play it , but you could skip forward on subsequent maneuver by press Escape and break up up where you entrust off . ( The secret plan will save at each chapter point along the way . ) There are also “ movies ” of a sort , using the secret plan ’s graphics engine , that help unravel the plot as you go along .
Visually , passion of Magic borrows heavily from the Nipponese animated cartoon trend made pop in manga and anime — bountiful characters with Brobdingnagian haircuts abound this multicolored , visually appealing landscape painting .
The in - plot dialog , written in subtitles , now and again includes awkwardly imprint prison term that have missing well-formed elements — a pet peeve of mine of late . ( remark to shareware authors : Hire transcript editor ! )
The game ’s audio is unremarkable — the soundtrack mainly comprises short loop of sway music that facilitate to set the pure tone of the game but do n’t really add a mountain to it . And the sound result — sounds of punching , striking , and bellow from monsters and heroes alike — is pretty muffled and low - quality . I could n’t help sway the feeling that I had cotton wool stuffed in my ears .
Gameplay is well - paced but the game ’s response to my input was n’t as immediate as I would have like ; my character would n’t always respond with the appropriate motion or attack I command it to do .
In addition to a one - player story fashion , the game also features a two - histrion conjunctive bid “ arena ” mode that will allow you play the game with a ally . However , conjunctive gambling is only allowed from the same computing machine — there ’s no web play here .
fury of Magic II will , by default , occupy your entire screen , surmount your Mac ’s display resolving power to beseem its purposes , with a with child border around it if necessary . Which is probably just as well , since the game has a postage stamp - sized fixed resolution .
Rage of Magic II features a figure of customization configurations that let you pull off sound and music , graphics effects grade and more . you’re able to also alter keyboard fundamental mappings and even find a control stick or game comptroller , enter clandestine code to unlock features , and more .
In gain to the two basic gameplay mode , there ’s also a practice mood that lets you try out your favorite combo moves or get word what different character can do ; you may view combat demonstrate between part and unlock a word picture gallery of the biz ’s dissimilar player and non - player characters .
To Gamebrew.com ’s credit rating , the developer has endlessly update Rage of Magic II with fixes and tweaks since its July sacking ; in gain to hemipteron fixes and maintenance updates , the company has also tweaked gameplay with some fiber rebalancing . It ’s unspoiled to see Gamebrew.com stay dynamic with fury of Magic II after outlet . ( This review was establish on the 1.2 update , the most late rendering available at the time it was write . )
This is a Universal Binary release , so Intel Mac owner are in luck . Unrated by the ESRB , the game features oppose violence but little gore ; I bear it would probably be worthy for teens and erstwhile .
The full version of Rage of Magic II costs $ 20 ; you may download a demonstration to see if you wish it first .
The bottom line
A atavism to the coin - op battle biz of yore , Rage of Magic II is a retro game of reasonable tone , if you ’re unforced to put up with some limitations and world-wide wonkiness .
