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Sacred 2: Fallen Angel - All News

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Box Art

Friday - August 15, 2014

Sacred 2 Gold - Released on GOG

by Couchpotato, 08:00

GOG announces that you can now buy Sacred 2 Gold DRM-Free for $7.99.

Release: Sacred 2 Gold

Decide the fate of Ancaria!

Sacred 2 Gold, an old-school-at-heart action-RPG with combat galore, tons of epic loot, and an engaging struggle between darkness and light, is available 60% off on GOG.com.That's only $7.99 until Monday, August 18 at 9:59AM GMT.

I can feel the disturbance in the energy. It sings to me a sad song of chaos and destruction to come. Are you here to help Ancaria regain its balance? Or will you let it descend into madness of war? It wasn't always like that, you know. This mystical power, the source of all magic and life, was controlled and watched over by the Seraphim and the world was at peace. Then, the angels passed on their knowledge to the High Elves and so it began. It corrupted them, brother turned against brother, empires went to arms, drowning the continent in blood. The energy itself became perilous creating foul and chaotic creatures wherever it spilled, now mutated beasts roam the land praying on simple folk. Will you heed my call, mighty warrior? Are you the one to decide the fate of Ancaria?

Sacred 2 Gold, set two millenia before the epic events of the original Sacred, allows you to hack 'n' slash your way through a vast world full of foes of all shapes and sizes. The amount of weapons and armor you'll have at your disposal is mind-boggling. With plenty of choices between following the light or shadow campaign quests, an addictive levelling system, and multiple character races considerably affecting playing styles Sacred 2 delivers on its promise of hours upon hours of fast-paced fun. Acting as a prequel to the original game, Sacred 2 Gold Edition comes packed with bonus content, including the awesome Ice and Blood expansion adding new regions, a new playable character, and countless new items.

Embark on an action-packed quest to bend the mystical T-Energy to your will and decide the fate of Ancaria in Sacred 2 Gold, for only $7.99 on GOG.com! The 60% off discount is in effect for the next 72 hours.

Friday - January 04, 2013

Sacred 2 Gold - Now in NA

by Dhruin, 23:13

Douglas wrote in a few days back saying Sacred 2 Gold is now available in NA, such as on Steam:

Sacred 2 Gold is Now Available on Steam and is 50% off!

Experience the world of Ancaria in its full glory with Sacred 2: Gold Edition. Containing Sacred 2 Fallen Angel and the awesome add-on Ice and Blood. Defeat countless dangerous enemies; capture powerful weapons and valuable treasures. Prepare yourself for the ultimate battle and become a legend.

We're late noticing this, so note the sale is literally about to end.

Wednesday - July 22, 2009

Sacred 2 - v2.43 Update

by Dhruin, 00:18

It's been a little while between drinks but Ascaron has updated Sacred 2 to v2.43.  The patch is mandatory for online play and "prepares Sacred 2 for the future".  Hit the autoupdater or grab the manual patch here.  The notes:

New Features:

  • It is now possible to disable the camera shaking via an entry in the optionscustom.txt. The entry is: camera.cameraShake = 0


Bugfixes:

  • The heroes do not point out insufficient armor against the wrong damage types anymore.
  • Reflection damage from NPCs has been reduced.
  • The Sakkara demon on the "Start Island" no longer attacks the player unless he has been attacked first.
  • Gold and XP amounts will now be displayed using periods as the thousands separator. (For example 123.456.789.000)
  • When fight music is disabled, the region music will continue to play during combat.
  • The bonus "Chance to dismount opponent" has been removed.
  • Blowpipes are now able to hit mounted creatures.
  • Achievements will only be shown ingame and commented by the hero the first they are accomplished.
  • The achievement "Group Hug" is now possible to accomplish.
  • Other heroes in multiplayer game sessions are now less chatty.


The patchnotes are not showing all the changes. One of the undocumented changes is the savegames compatibility preparation for the addon.

Monday - July 20, 2009

Sacred 2 - PS3 Review @ GIN

by Dhruin, 22:36

Gaming Industry News has a review of Sacred 2 that could have come from the back of the box.  Playing the PS3 version, the score is 3.5/5 and here's a snip:

The world is expansive with a variety of forests, islands, swamps and deserts. One of the first issues that I had was given the size of the world, it’s really hard using the map to figure out how to get from point A to point B. Often you will think you see a path only to discover that the way is blocked by an impassable obstacle that you could not see on the map. There are warp gates which can help you get around, but you have to discover those before you can use them.

The characters themselves can be pretty funny. They make comments while fighting. Also while in combat you will hear a lot of sword clashing and spells blasting which make the combats pretty cool.

Saturday - June 20, 2009

Sacred 2 - Addon Still Coming

by Dhruin, 09:03

Ascaron has confirmed the Sacred 2 addon is still happening despite their troubles and the acquisition of (non Sacred) IP by Kalypso Media.  From the official forums:

Studio 2 (subsidiary company of Ascaron) has the licence for Sacred 2 and the devs will continue working at the Addon as they did before.

Kalypso and the other devs will do something different with the old licences they bought. I really wish them good luck with that, they deserve it.

In a nutshell, the Addon is not affected by anything and will come as planned.

Source: Voodoo Extreme

Thursday - June 04, 2009

Sacred 2 - Tops Console Charts

by Dhruin, 00:39

News from the Sacred 2 site that their console release has topped US sales charts:

In the first week after release Sacred 2 Fallen Angel conquered the first place in the xbox 360 as well as the ps3 sale charts.

Find more informations about this on: http://vgchartz.com/

Sacred 2 Fallen Angel is also released in many european countries now, and well on it's way becoming a unique jewel for the console communities. Our thanks go to all our fans out there and we wish everyone of you a pleasant time in Ancaria.

Sacred 2 Fallen Angel will be released in the UK on the 5th june 2009.

Friday - May 29, 2009

Sacred 2 - Review @ DailyGame

by Dhruin, 00:10

The console release of Sacred 2 has been reviewed at DailyGame for a score of 7.8/10:

When Sacred 2 crossed my desk, I dove into the action RPG right away, at which point the sheer amount of detail made it somewhat daunting. Buffs and runes and enchantments, oh my! Making it through my first couple of quests (of which there are hundreds) I felt as if I was missing something, especially when it came to leveling up. Then it dawned on me: Sacred 2 isn't an RPG where I should be ultra-interested in the story or the progression of my character ... this is purely a loot fest! Once I figured this out, I changed the way I played, deciding that rather than check-off quests as I got them, I should talk to everyone I could to identify tons of quests and open the huge world map. Once quest markers didn't matter, the game became infinitely more fun.

Wednesday - May 27, 2009

Sacred 2 - Review @ GamersInfo

by Dhruin, 00:15

While there's no score, Sacred 2 doesn't seem to have impressed GamersInfo:

As it was, the majority of my time spent exploring, searching for glory and heroism, became more like wandering around mass murdering the same few monsters for loot. I never felt like I was a champion of light or that I was doing anything particularly important, and while the monsters began to change near the end of chapter one, I'd spent 10 hours killing kobolds and bandits by then. Very little of the loot really stood out, except for details on which sword or helmet was better by one or two points of damage or health.

Source: Blues News

Tuesday - May 26, 2009

Sacred 2 - Console Review @ Eurogamer

by Dhruin, 00:35

"Pop-in, framerate, poor animation and niggling bugs" but an otherwise good game bring Eurogamer's review of Sacred 2 for the X360 down to 6/10:

If you're a real loot addict, looking for a quick fix before Diablo 3 turns you into a precious-hoarding, daylight-shunning, subterranean Gollum, there are worse options than Scared 2. It presents you with a giant world, one that has some unique aspects and is generally seamless and deep. With patience, tolerance and a willingness to ignore all the problems and the awkward hokum, there are dozens - if not hundreds - of hours of playtime on offer.

Friday - May 22, 2009

Sacred 2 - Review @ Worthplaying

by Magerette, 17:39

Worthplaying has posted their review of the console version of Ascaron's Sacred 2: Fallen Angel and gives the game a score of 7/10:

At its heart, Sacred 2 is a pretty traditional Diablo clone. Other than providing a setting for the world, the plot isn't going to factor into your gameplay too much. Whether you're good or evil, your basic goal is the same: run from quest giver to quest giver, perform the quest, and reap the lovely and shiny rewards. There isn't anything particularly complex here, and most of your quests are going to be the usual "kill X number of Y enemy" or "find this item" variety. As is the norm for the genre, quests simply give you an excuse to kill anything in your path in the pursuit of goodies, and Sacred 2 does a good job of ensuring that you're kept busy. There are plenty of quests for even the most eager gamer. There isn't a great assortment of missions, but you'll be surprised at how addictive it is to keep getting new quests and racking up more prizes.

Sunday - May 17, 2009

Sacred 2 - X360 Reviews @ GameZone, GameSpot

by Dhruin, 00:18

A couple of new Sacred 2 console reviews...let's start with GameZone, who score it 6/10:

Unfortunately, it’s about here that things begin to fall apart. The same issues that plagued the PC version are here, including an uninteresting storyline, and derivative level-grinding gameplay. The game requires you to spend a sizable chunk of time building levels without much in the way of story progression, which can be quite problematic for those looking for a compelling action-RPG experience.

GameSpot is more positive at 7/10 and praise for the interface:

However, some aspects of Sacred 2 have been tweaked so it stands a little apart from the crowd. Most noteworthy is the new interface that shifts the game from mouse-and-keyboard to gamepad. Character-building, interface, and special-ability functions have been perfectly mapped to trigger buttons and the D pad on both the 360 and PS3 controllers. Even if you're accustomed to playing with a mouse-and-keyboard you'll likely prefer the gamepad after an hour or so of play. Multiplayer is also enhanced in comparison with the PC version of the game, since single-player is seamlessly integrated with the Net over both Xbox Live and the PlayStation Network. Solo campaigns can be set so other players can drop in and out at will when you're online. And you can also wander the game world with buddies in a free-play setting or take on all comers in competitive play.

Friday - May 15, 2009

Sacred 2 - Console Issues, Patches Coming

by Dhruin, 23:37

Kotaku has a piece that notes a handful of Sacred 2 developer posts across the official and TeamXbox forums, indicating patches are on the way for some different console issues with the freshly released hack'n'slasher.  Word is issues with missing GameStop bonuses, local trading and taking PS3 games online will all get a look soon.

Sacred 2 - Review @ GamePyre

by Dhruin, 23:34

While the focus is probably the console version these days, GamePyre has a review of the PC version of Sacred 2, with a score of 84%.  Here's their conclusion:

Sacred 2 is a game that I will be playing for a while. It fits my need for a new RPG and it adds something different to the genre. The unique characters and the ability to use mounts for fighting and not just riding, makes Sacred 2 slightly different then the standard role playing game. The characters are detailed. The game reminds me a lot of Diablo II in terms of game feel, but adds a more complicated leveling up system like that of the older Baulder's Gate series. The game is enormous in size and story. It can take Sacred 2 with PhysX adds an ambiance to a game that until this point, I have yet to experience in a game.

Thursday - May 14, 2009

Sacred 2 - Console Versions Shipping

by Dhruin, 12:07

CDV has announced Sacred 2 is now available for the X360 and PS3:

cdv Software Entertainment USA and Ascaron Entertainment are pleased to announce that Sacred 2: Fallen Angel for the Xbox 360 and Playstation 3 has shipped to North American retailers. For a list of some of the retail outlets that are carrying the game, please visit - http://www.cdvusa.com/pages/buy-sacred2.

For more information about Sacred 2: Fallen Angel, please visit http://www.sacred2.com or http://www.cdvus.com.

Monday - May 11, 2009

Sacred 2 - Console Review @ Tech Gaming

by Dhruin, 23:36

Tech Gaming is the latest site with a review of the console version of Sacred 2.  The rating is 'B' and here's a snip:

Gamers habituated to serious RPG narrative’s may find Sacred 2’s dialogue a welcome reprieve or strangely disjoined. Although the main story seems serious, conversation and voice work is incongruously comedic. While the title offers players a wealth of missions- from assassinations, fetch quests, and escorting, these endeavors often feel unfulfilling due to the minimal amount of textual set-up.  However, Sacred 2’s liberal distribution of weapons, runes, and armor is compelling enough so that item collection overcomes any deficiencies in the storytelling.  With each item having a myriad of numerical ratings, there’s enough complexity in the game to satisfy stat-geeks.

Source: GameBanshee

Thursday - May 07, 2009

Sacred 2 - Wallpaper Contest

by Dhruin, 01:28

CDV has announced a contest to create the best Sacred 2 wallpaper, with an nVidia 9800GTX+ and other goodies on offer.  I can't see a "US only" disclaimer but as the US distie, it may be territory limited.

Wednesday - May 06, 2009

Sacred 2 - X360 Review @ IGN

by Dhruin, 14:08

At least a week ahead of the release but IGN has the first full review of the X360 version Sacred 2.  The interface comes in for quite a bit of criticism, resulting in a final score of 6.2/10:

It feels like Ascaron Entertainment tried to stuff a bear through an airplane window with Sacred 2: Fallen Angel. This Diablo-style action-RPG was released for PC late last year, offering players a range of enjoyable character classes, skill combinations, a gigantic world to explore, and lots of things to kill and collect. Its story and quest structures were fractured and for the most part derivative, and generally not the reason to pick up a copy. But the simple style of click-to-kill gameplay worked well enough to satisfy gamers looking to click, slaughter, loot , and repeat either solo or online with others. Now with the console version, it seems the game hasn't weathered the transition process all that well. Though the core mechanics are still solid, the rest emerges as an awkward, ugly, and inconvenient product still weakened by bugs, though seemingly less than were present in the PC version.

Monday - May 04, 2009

Sacred 2 - Co-op Trailer

by Dhruin, 23:26

Head over to Worthplaying for a console-focused Sacred 2 co-op trailer (115Mb).

Saturday - May 02, 2009

Sacred 2 - Website Makeover

by Dhruin, 01:05

Ascaron and Deep Silver sent out a press release, announcing a makeover of the Sacred 2 site in anticipation of the console release:

New look for the official website of SacredTM 2 – Fallen Angel


Website revamped ready for release of console versions

One month before the release of Sacred 2 – Fallen Angel for Sony® PlayStation®3 and Microsoft®, Xbox 360®, the official website for the game, www.sacred2.com, has been relaunched with completely new design, new features, stacks of information about the game, and a community area. In addition, the website now offers exclusive artwork and screenshots for both console versions.

Friday - April 17, 2009

Sacred 2 - Console Versions Finished

by Gorath, 18:56

Ascaron announced that both Sacred 2: Fallen Angel for XBox 360 and PS3 have been approved by the platform owners. They should be released shortly.

Tuesday - April 14, 2009

Sacred 2 - Steam Version Gets Patched

by Magerette, 20:00

The Steam version of Ascaron's arpg, Sacred 2, now has the previously released 2.40 retail patch available as an automatic update. You can view the changelog here.

Source: Blues News

Thursday - April 02, 2009

Sacred 2 - 2.40 Patch Released

by Magerette, 17:58

Ascaron has made good on their announcement to release a content update patch incoporating Nvidia PhysX tech and a variety of bug fixes. You can see the announcement, fix list and pick up the patch here at the official siteWorthplaying, and in multiple lanuguages at the Patches Scrolls.

Here's a partial list on just the PhysX tech:

The current version of Sacred 2 - Fallen Angel contains several bugfixes as well as these newly implemented features:

nVidia®-PhysX TM Technology Implemented:

The display of two combats arts for each respective hero has been
enhanced with physical effects. Executing a combat art will now have
direct impact on the immediate environment (small stones, leaves, twigs).

The enhanced combat arts are:

  • High Elf: Glacial Thorns and Incandescent Skin
  • Temple Guardian: T-Energy Shroud and Untouchable Force
  • Seraphim: Flaring Nova and Radiant Pillar
  • Shadow Warrior: Nether Allegiance and Augmenting Guidon
  • Inquisitor: Mortifying Pillory and Frenetic Fervor
  • Dryad: Dust Devil and Edaphic Lances

Certain particle effects as well as different wind speeds are also vailable now. Leaves and stones may be moved by wind or by walking across them.

Wednesday - March 25, 2009

Sacred 2 - Addon Announcement Soon?

by Dhruin, 21:00

The PhysX update for Sacred 2 is due at the end of this week but German mag GameStar says there is additional news: they claim an addon will be announced in the near future, offering two new builds that make extensive use of the new physics.  We don't know the veracity of this but head over to GameStar to read the original article.

Thanks, Sir Brennus!

Wednesday - March 18, 2009

Sacred 2 - Console Versions Delayed to May 12

by Dhruin, 10:37

Although we haven't seen the press release, Joystiq says cdv has announced Sacred 2 will be released on X360 and PS3 on May 12th, which represents yet another delay.  A quick trip to cdv's product page shows May as the date, confirming the article.

Saturday - March 07, 2009

Sacred 2 - PhysX Version Coming

by Dhruin, 22:18

According to PC Games Hardware, Ascaron is preparing an enhanced version of Sacred 2 with hardware PhysX support, for release later this month:

At the Cebit we saw the Physx support in action. The effects are rather unobtrusive. For example leaves were blown around by the wind or stones and small particles dropped to the ground. Furthermore certain spells of the characters have been upgraded with additional Physx effects and the visualization of flags swaying in the wind is realized with GPU Physx, too. On screenshots those effects aren't looking as spectacular as they really are. Therefore we shot a video of the sequences.

Head over to check out some video.

Source: Blues News

Monday - March 02, 2009

Sacred 2 - T-Energy Trailer

by Dhruin, 21:26

I haven't watched this but since T-Energy is the silliest part of Sacred 2, I imagine this trailer shows some irrelevant cinematics.  Head over to Worthplaying to snag the 72Mb file if you're interested.

Thursday - February 12, 2009

Sacred 2 - Screens @ Worthplaying

by Dhruin, 22:22

Worthplaying has 13 console screens from Sacred 2, including some shots of the revamped interface.

Thursday - January 29, 2009

Sacred 2 - Review @ VGBlogger

by Magerette, 16:29

VGBlogger has a review up by RPGWatch's Mike Anderson(txa1265) for Ascaron's recently released action rpg, Sacred 2. As with all of txa1265's reviews, the pros and cons are all examined, ending on an overall positive note:

Let me be clear - Sacred 2 won’t be winning any originality contests. It is a straight action-RPG in the grand tradition of Diablo, whose lineage includes games such as Diablo II, the original Sacred, and Titan Quest. Sacred 2 has taken elements from all of those games and improved upon its predecessor in nearly every way...

Sacred 2 is a huge game - in terms of content as well as size. The world is open and you can go anywhere — just like in the original — and the size is estimated at 22 square miles. The main quest reportedly contains over a hundred quests, with hundreds of side-quests available to any character, as well as character-specific quests and quests related to the chosen deity. While I did not go through and count them all, the sheer volume of quests listed in my log gave me no reason to debate these numbers. Generally the quests are simple and straight-forward - go there, get this, kill that - but occasionally there are multi-stage quests. The range of types and difficulty of quests is also very satisfying.

 

Friday - January 23, 2009

Sacred 2 - Art & Vision eBook

by Dhruin, 12:05

CDV has released an Art & Vision artbook for Sacred 2, downloadable in .pdf format:

Cary, NC, January 21, 2009 - As a free gift to fans of Sacred 2: Fallen Angel, cdv Software Entertainment USA and Ascaron Entertainment are making available an e-book of the game's "Art and Vision" today. This lushly illustrated e-book showcases hand-drawn character designs, renders and other artistic creations from the game's diverse universe, while also showcasing the progression of Sacred 2: Fallen Angel from an imaginative vision to an incredibly compelling RPG for next-generation consoles and PC.

Tuesday - January 13, 2009

Sacred 2 - Updated Console Impressions @ IGN

by Dhruin, 20:44

IGN has updated impressions of Sacred 2 on the Xbox 360, due around February:

One of the cool things about Sacred 2 is that it supports both local and online four-player co-operative play, so you can load up your saved character, invite a friend to do the same and go traipsing around Ancaria jacking fools and getting paid. IGN Xbox editor Erik Brudvig and I took our characters on the road for a spell and found that the two-player local co-op works well overall, although there are still some issues with menu commands and inventory management, and these are brought into sharper relief when there are two players on the screen.

There are a lot of menus in Sacred 2, and it takes some serious time with the game before the controller commands become second nature. It's always a challenge to bring expansive PC RPGs -- which were made with keyboard and mouse controls in mind -- to the console realm, and there is a lot to manage in Sacred 2. Holding down the right bumper brings up a semi-radial menu that gives access to loot collection, quest data, combat arts, inventory screens and mount controls.

Friday - December 26, 2008

Sacred 2 - Review @ Worthplaying

by Magerette, 16:01

Worthplaying gets their review up for Ascaron's recently released action rpg, Sacred2:Fallen Angel, with a score that falls into line with most other reviews we've seen so far: 7.2/10:

Diablo has cursed every other title following its formula by having the unfortunate privilege of being compared to its accomplishments. One of these was Ascaron's Sacred, which took the radical route by dropping that formula into a continent-sized sandbox. It apparently did well enough for a sequel, and Sacred 2's updated sandbox has never looked better, but there are unexpected rocks buried beneath its deceptively pretty surface.

The reviewer also has mixed feelings about the voice acting:

 Most of the acting sounds as if it were read off cue cards, but there are a few gems in there to keep it from completely crushing the experience. Unfortunately, my choice of a Seraphim made me wish that Sacred 2 had a silent hero instead of a talkative one, as I wasn't sure if the actress was told to mock the Goody Two-shoes aspect of the class, or if that really was how the character is supposed to sound. When I first heard her "battle cry," I was nearly convinced that an NPC had died on-screen and I had missed it, until it happened again and I realized the horrible truth.

Conclusion:

There really is a lot to like about Sacred 2, but only as long as you are willing to put up with the constant need to micromanage your journey with a high tolerance for FedEx-type questing. For players who can't get their fill of killing hordes of monsters and collecting loot no matter what the local NPC may ask them to do for it, opening the nearest portal to Ancaria's past might just be ...the perfect distraction.

Thursday - December 18, 2008

Sacred 2 - Review @ Thunderbolt Games

by Dhruin, 21:13

Describing it as an "entertaining romp", Thunderbolt Games has a review of Sacred 2 with a score of 8/10:

The meat of the game is found in its questing and combat. A symbol over the head of an NPC allows you to collect a quest from them. This generally involves killing a certain number of enemies or collecting a certain number of items. Killing yields experience, and when enough has been acquired you level up giving you points to spend on your characters development. Skills come in the form of combat arts, either as special attacks or magic spells. As you progress in the game you'll discover runes that allow you to learn new arts or upgrade existing ones. Characters can learn a maximum of ten skills, although they have more than that to chose from. Runes which can't be used by your character can handily be exchanged at the Runemaster for ones more appropriate to your class. Although this system lacks the depth and variety compared with other roleplaying games, it's not as potentially overwelming making it perfect for those who always wanted to try the genre but have been put off in the past by the reams of stats and skills than can easily bloat games of this type.

Source: GameBanshee

Sacred 2 - Review @ Destructoid

by Dhruin, 00:21

I noticed a Sacred 2 review at Destructoid from a week back that we'd missed earlier.  The score is 6/10 and I remain amazed at the number of reviews that don't notice the different camera modes available.  Here's a sample:

I was also confused by the tone of the game. Fourth wall breaking is very common, and it doesn’t really fit with the way the rest of the game is presented. My Shadow Warrior would often yell “Another nameless NPC killed!” during battle, and there are many statues, graves, signs, and instances of dialog and voice acting sprinkled with lame real world jokes and references to the internet. When done well, this can be hilarious, but unfortunately Sacred 2’s attempts fall flat, and most of the “humor” just comes off as wildly out of place and unnecessary, particularly since most of the game remains in character and grounded in the game world.

Wednesday - December 17, 2008

Sacred 2 - Content Patch

by Woges, 17:18

Voodoo Extreme have info on Sacred 2's latest patch.

The update is packed with new features such as new armour, a brand new snow region, a whopping 20 new opponents and spectacular new weapons. In addition, a completely new series of quests guarantees tons of gaming fun and provides a special set of armour specifically designed to get you into the festive spirit. Naturally, many game details were improved as well, making for an even better gaming experience.

The first beta version of the SACRED 2 network includes an extensive ladder and highscore ranking system allowing you to compare your own performance to that of other community members. You can even win ranks and orders, and legendary characters are immortalized in a Heroes' Cemetery and a Hall of Fame. You can also use the social network to create your own profile then contact other users, make new friends, or arrange some multiplayer sessions.

Tincat, the flexible multiplayer engine from Arvato Systems, makes it possible to export all information belonging to a game character to the SACRED 2 network, and view it there. This allows players to compare character and guild information, and to view multiple highscore lists, making for additional long-term motivation.

Here's a direct link to the official forum announcement and a snip from the lengthy patch notes:

New Content:

  • New area with 24 aboveground sectors and about 6 additional underground
    sectors
  • New textures and objects to create a snowy landscape
  • Additional sounds for the snowy landscape
  • 20 new creatures
  • New NPCs
  • New full quest chain
  • Additional armor set for each character
  • New armor items and weapons

Hint: The Christmas Island is shrouded in mystery so you can't see it on the world map. To begin your journey to it, find and speak to the Kobold in Thylysium, then sail to the port he unlocks.

Saturday - December 13, 2008

Sacred 2 - Review @ Games32

by Dhruin, 22:13

Games32 has a review of Sacred 2.  The score is 76/100 after citing bugs, repetitive play and Securom, although this is the second review I've seen to quote a fixed camera, which isn't my experience:

Other than the traditional kill everything and don't think twice, explore the map, rinse and repeat, there isn't much to add to Sacred 2. Perhaps the new graphic engine is worth mentioning, because the visual quality is high, and can be boosted even further if you install the optional high quality textures pack. But don't think dramatic changes, just more flowers, sparks and T-Energy flowing around. There's again a kind of annoying problem - the isometric fixed view. You can zoom in and out quite a bit, but you can't change the perspective at all, even if the engine could possibly do it.

Source: Blues News

Wednesday - December 10, 2008

Sacred 2 - Best International Game of 2008

by Magerette, 16:46

IGN posts the news that Ascaron's Sacred 2:Fallen Angel has earned the developers and cdv software two awards, including Best International Game,  and five nominations in the German Developer awards for 2008:

December 9, 2008 - cdv Software Entertainment USA and Ascaron Entertainment are pleased to announce that Sacred 2: Fallen Angel has earned two awards and five nominations in the prestigious German Developer awards for 2008. The action-RPG, currently available for Windows PC and set for a March 2009 release on next-generation consoles, took home awards for "Best German Action Game" and "Best International Game for 2008"at the prestigious European video game awards show, held in Essen, Germany. Sacred 2 was also nominated in five other categories, including:

  • Best Game Design

  • Best Story

  • Best in-game graphics

  • Best sound

  • Best German Game of 2008

Sacred 2 - Review @ GamingNexus

by Magerette, 16:27

GamingNexus is next up with a review of Ascaron's recently released action rpg, Sacred 2:Fallen Angel, and scores it on the average side at C+ :

Once the game starts, players can start to see how Sacred 2 differs from the typical action RPG. While basic attacks function just like every other game, the special abilities and spells are a bit different. There is no “mana” or magic power to charge these attacks—everything works on a recharge timer. Finding the optimum recharge rate is probably the most important part of character development throughout the game. Each character has a set of about a dozen Character Arts, special triggered abilities and always-on buffs. These can be spells, special attacks, healing abilities, and the like. These abilities are not learned through level-ups as in other games, but through the reading of various runes dropped as loot...

This leads to some interesting play. Theoretically, players can have each and every power available to their character after an hour or so of play, at very low levels... Basically, Sacred 2 gives players all their non-equipment toys up front, and the rest of the game is spent tweaking these to perfection.

Conclusion:

A decent action RPG with some interesting and unique character development. It may take some time to appreciate, and many won’t. It’s worth a look, but it’s not for everyone.

Source: Blues News

Tuesday - December 09, 2008

Sacred 2 - Peek #8 @ IGN

by Dhruin, 21:14

IGN continues their Peeks at Sacred 2, with a look at the Wasteland Canyon:

As one journeys west through the High Elf lands, the pleasant climate becomes more arid; trees and brush give way to rocks and mesas. Undulating hills and the occasional mountain break through the ground, making travel difficult but not impossible. Once past the claimed border of the region, travelers enter into the area known simply as The Wasteland, or more often as Wasteland Canyon.

The canyon itself is a huge landmark that snakes its way from the Jade-See to the south, stretching northwards into unknown mountainous terrain. It is too wide to build a bridge across, and too deep merely to climb down; finding a pathway to reach the floor can be quite an adventure in itself.

Sunday - December 07, 2008

Sacred 2 - Reviews @ Gamezone, GamePlasma

by Dhruin, 21:25

A couple of new reviews for Sacred 2 can be found on the 'net.  Let's go to Gamezone first, with a score of 7.5/10:

Sacred 2 does have that “been there” feel to it. But the game has some quirkiness that steps outside the boundaries of trying to be immersive and instead focuses on having some fun. The game does not seem to take itself too seriously, and has enough elements to keep adventure fans happy. Unfortunately, those same players will have to deal with a few bugs that are present and can cause crashes.

GamePlasma goes a little higher, with a score of 8.4/10:

The sheer breadth of the single player game is quite bewildering. It is implemented so simply and cleanly that it does not overwhelm in the slightest. This is where Sacred 2 really steps away from the Diablo template. It still has a beautifully simple and highly addictive action combat system but the scale of the game is more in line with Baldur’s Gate 2. It is a blend of two great styles that Ascaron has balanced exceedingly well.

Source: GameBanshee

Saturday - December 06, 2008

Sacred 2 - Review @ games extreme

by Dhruin, 22:42

Sacred 2 has been reviewed at games extreme, with a score of 7.8/10.  Here's a sample:

Diablo 3 is a long way off and I've played Sacred, Titan Quest and many others to death. So I was pretty stoked to hear that Ascaron were back with Sacred 2 and this time it would be a bigger, expansive and even more loot-filled grind-fest. It is, and I like that. I don't really care that the story is generic and fairly unfocussed since I'm having too much fun indulging my psychopathic kill-maim-destroy tendencies just like I did in Painkiller.

In many ways Sacred 2 is the Painkiller of the RPG world at the moment, it's not quite up to the standard of the original Sacred in some ways but in others it leaves the first game standing. It's got flaws, minor and major and some of them cause the good old crash to desktop (where would we be without that beloved bug in our games eh?), graphic glitches and anomalies. Yet those don't stop me liking the game since it's giving me what I wanted, an excuse to take out six different classes drawn from the good and evil sides in the game.

Source: Blues News

Tuesday - December 02, 2008

Sacred 2 - Peek # 7 @ RPGVault

by Magerette, 18:09

RPGVault posts their seventh peek at Ascaron's recently released action rpg, Sacred 2:Fallen Angel, this time focusing on the Dryads, their history and  region of the game world.

Friday - November 28, 2008

Sacred 2 - Content Update Patch 2.31 Released

by Gorath, 21:28

Time to update your Sacred 2. The correctly formated source can be found here.

The developers have been busy putting together this content update patch. As noted in our preview information thread, this should not be confused with a hotfix. This Patch, or Content Update, will do much more. It includes plenty of important fixes, but also adds new content desired by the community and developers.

This Content Update Patch must be installed to access online play!

This update includes the following changes (changes for all updates can be found here):
Implemented a new ingame options menu.
Added ten new bosses to reward exploration.
Added eight new portals for more convenient travelling around Ancaria.
New “level of detail system” for better general performance.
Better pathing.
End bosses use more/improved special abilities.
Opponents in dungeons are more challenging now.
Buffs can no longer be activated when the selected combat art slot is empty.
Improved targeting with combos.
Improved drop reward for the completion of side quests.
“Mastery” of the skill "Enhanced Perception" will now yield significantly better chest drops.
Failed quests no longer count as resolved quests in the game statistics.
PvP: It is no longer possible to attack another player during his fade-in by joining a server at the start island.
PvP: Target circle now shows under mounted players.
Fixed that Inquisitor’s armor and clothes were detached from body with certain graphic settings.
Fixed that PvP was possible in some cities.
Fixed clipping issue during praying animation.
Fixed sound issues for the mainquest dialogs.
Fixed several possible causes for crashes.
Fixed one cause for random decrease of fps.
Several minor fixes for combat arts.
Multi-hit combat arts performed with ranged weapons now have a limit of three projectiles.
Fixed that the Temple Guardian did not move to attack when mounted on a horse.
Mainquest related holograms in the jungle area are now working correctly.
Quest log no longer needs to be activated after exit/load.
New mini-sets are now dropping
Set-items now drop much more often and earlier
MP-Servers can now be opened and joined at any difficulty
In MP the difficulty of the enemies is not global for the whole server anymore. If two or more players with different levels play in different parts of the world, each player has its own enemies with their own spawn level
MP - mode "free game" and PvP now has open ship ports between the isles
The teleporters in cities will be activated as soon as the city is discovered
Boni on items are now displayed in red if they don’t affect the character. This can happen for example if they apply to the wrong character-class or if they augment a skill that the player has not yet learned
Facetteleon now has less graphical effect issues with different detail levels
Quest items that need to be collected now stack in the log
In the sidequest "Kobold chief" it was possible that the sound was muted, this has been fixed
Sidequest "A strange machine" had missing texts, this is now fixed
Traps now work correctly.
Only five side quests involving hirelings can be accepted at the same time.
Fixed an issue where quest hirelings were resurrected with the hero if they died before the quest had been solved.
Fixed an issue where dead enemies sometimes stood upright after they died.
Fixed an issue where the “Swirling Mist of Miasma” sometimes stopped spawning undead creatures and could not be killed.
NPC and PC forging have been rebalanced. Values now depend on the difficulty level. PC forging is now less powerful.
When the Inquisitor had throwing stars or throwing daggers equipped the animation for the combat art “Mortifying Pillory” was broken. This has been fixed.
Several levitating objects and minor terrain issues have been fixed.
A refresh button for the server list is now available in the MP-Lobby.
Fixed an issue where it was not possible to trade with a mounted hero.
It is no longer possible to equip halberds in the left hand.
Fixed an issue where players would receive only one item back in their inventory after placing stacks of potions or trophies into the player trade window and then canceling the deal by pressing [ESC].
Fixed an issue where the player was not properly teleported during the side quest “Ghosttown”.
Dismounting now takes less time.

The Content Update Patch can be downloaded via the homepage http://update.sacred2.com manually or by executing the “sacred2updater.exe” located in the root-folder of the game.

We hope you enjoy your time in Ancaria.

Your Sacred 2 Team

Thursday - November 27, 2008

Sacred 2 - Review @ 1Up

by Dhruin, 10:46

Tom Chick has penned a review of Sacred 2 for 1Up, and it seems he likes it.  The rating is 'A-', despite the bugs.  If the quote below appears to be cut off, that's actually part of the structure...you'll understand why if you read through:

Action-role-playing games grew up in corridors. Some have wide corridors, and some have randomized corridors, but they're all corridors that lead from a starting town hub to a final boss fight. Sacred 2 doesn't stand for that. You go where you want, for as long as you want, and even when you want. Do you intend to plow through the storyline? Have at it. It won't hold you back. Digging the swamps? Stick around and farm all the side quests. Curious about those islands up north or that desert in the south? Go have a look. The main quest -- available in good or evil flavors -- serves as a guided tour through every boss and every biome, with dozens of subquests along the way. But the point--

Tom actually liked it so much, he went on to post 10 reasons you should play Sacred 2 on his own site:

Now that I've ironed out my technical problems with Sacred 2, the sequel to the fastidious German RPG from 2004, I can finally get down to the business of saving the world leveling up my character. Although I only fiddled with the original Sacred for an hour or so, I can't imagine it was as good as this. If it was, I wish someone had let me know the way I'm now letting you know that Sacred 2 is as good as it is. When it comes to compulsively addicting fast-paced click-and-slash loot harvesting with fancy graphics, I'd even go so far as to say I prefer this to Titan Quest.

Tuesday - November 25, 2008

Sacred 2 - Peek # 6 @ RPG Vault

by Myrthos, 21:50

RPG Vault have a new peek into Sacred 2. In this sixth edition its about the southern jungle region:

Those who reside here tend to do so only temporarily; archaeologist camps dot the interior of the jungle, each holding a handfuls of scholars whose pursuit of knowledge has them sweating and aching to carve history out of the clutches of the greenery. The ruins that lie here indicate the ancient Elven Empire indeed had a great reach; however, most theories were turned on their ears when it was found that this wasn't just a province, but rather its very heart.

Monday - November 24, 2008

Sacred 2 - Review @ RealGamer

by Dhruin, 20:41

Some strident criticism for Sacred 2 from RealGamer, although it doesn't appear the reviewer is keen on hack'n'slash games.  The score is 6.6/10 and here's an early quote:

The opening hour ranks amongst one of the worst I've ever played in a high-profile title. Sacred 2 doesn't bother to get bogged down with the story until far beyond most players have lost hope of ever enjoying the thing, which isn't the best way to plan an opening. After your companion is ridiculously murdered by the weakling swing of a couple of enemy sword blades, it's your job to continue your friend's quest ¨C whatever that may be.

Later, things begin to get a bit more interesting, and the dynamics of it alter rather sweetly on repeat plays with different characters. Quests lead to places of intrigue and side-plots branch off satisfyingly, but it took me around five hours of playing to find anything of much interest. To be fair, this is the sort of classic RPG that could take hundreds of hours to see to completion ¨C but when the opening is as drab as that of Sacred 2, it's difficult to imagine anyone seeing it that far.

Source: Blues News

Saturday - November 22, 2008

Sacred 2 - Review @ GameSpot

by Dhruin, 23:55

The major site reviews for Sacred 2 are trickling in slowly, with GameSpot kicking up their critique earlier in the week.  The score is 7/10, with criticism of the staid design and bugs but finding the graphics and gameworld interesting - here's a snip on the overly-big world:

At least the game keeps you busy. Running around handling tons of quests is always in the forefront, which gives everything a hectic, odd-job feel. It's as if the game is constantly building toward something, but never gets there. Just when you think you're going to finally find out what the deal is with the elves and the T-Energy going nutso, you're instead hit with another apparently random assignment to find rare herbs for a potion, search a graveyard for a lost chicken, find somebody's missing spouse, kill a bunch of undead, or whatever. Only the sheer number of quests, their good variety, and the way that the game constantly hits you with these rat-a-tat-tat errands keeps you interested. It's tough to get bored when you have over a dozen quests on the go. Still, the massive size of the map will occasionally annoy you. A lot of time is spent hoofing it from Point A to Point B to solve or wrap up quests, as the game's teleportation system is awkward and lacking in gates. At times, you'll think the world feels unnecessarily big, and that you're spending more time in transit than you are killing monsters and collecting loot.

Thursday - November 20, 2008

Sacred 2 - Review @ Eurogamer

by Woges, 13:39

Will Porter reviews Sacred 2 with a final score of 6/10.

All this is well and good, but even the most fervent of role-players will find it quite hard to care about Ancaria's fate - and will instead concentrate on killing more, bigger things in the pursuit of more, bigger weapons. The voice-acting and dialogue don't help matters. The translation from German may be grammatically correct, but it lacks character, texture or tone. Characters bark the same triumphs again and again, while the bizarre humour leaves you mystified. "Well done player!" says my Seraphim as I bring down a column of light to smite my foes. "I should have listened to my wife!" shouts the sixth kobold in about ten minutes as I slay him and look around angrily for his spouse. "I've lost my tickets to a Blind Guardian gig," explains a street urchin in a small rural town beset by the undead. Sadly Sacred 2 isn't the Monty Python-shaped pedestal of hilarity it wants to be, and in turn its tone is unbalanced.

Thankfully though, after a confusing introduction, character creation and development is extremely well thought out. You can tweak your character in every which way but loose - in baseline attributes, in combos, in combat arts, in weapons, in armour, in runes, in skills and in god-based super attacks. Should you want to hook up to a LAN or with up to sixteen people playing online, you're all bound to be distinct. The play area, meanwhile, is agreeably gigantic and the way it unfolds itself as you unlock save/spawn points and fast-travel portals happens at a neat lick. The ability to suck everything collectable in a three-metre radius into your magic satchel by pressing 'q' is also a neat labour-saving device ala Fable.

Wednesday - November 19, 2008

Sacred 2 - Review @ TVG

by Magerette, 17:48

UK gaming site TVG posts their review of Ascaron's recently released action rpg, Sacred 2:Fallen Angel, dishing out a score of 7/10:

As a dungeon crawler, Sacred 2 certainly offers what gamers look for.  There are plenty of rogue elements to battle against, dropping loot along the way, along with labyrinthine dungeons and regions to get stuck into...there's a reason why it ships on two DVDs.  For all its grand scale, and Ancaria is a mammoth place of over twenty square miles, Sacred 2 does...suffer from not feeling particularly epic at times.  At a time where MMOs seem to be going through the gears of PC dominance, where World of Warcraft can sit alongside the free-to-play antics of Archlord, the more traditional action-RPGs (which Sacred 2 undoubtedly falls under) begin to feel rather old hat...But perhaps we're being a tad negative here; Sacred 2 finds itself in a hostile environment.  PC gaming is going through a huge transition, and what Sacred 2 does is create a solid and deep experience for fans on the genre – even if it feels like we’ve experienced much of this in the past.

They also weren't too taken with the humor:

Something else that hasn't been forgotten from the 2004 original is humour, which continues to feel out of place here.  Right from the loading screen, when a random quip appears (sometimes based on Monty Python), this 'lighter' side to Sacred II defies its hardcore gameplay.  It's actually pretty contrived, with gravestones enjoying such jape-filled epitaphs like 'I'm not going anywhere', enemies going all post-modern with quips such as 'I knew I was only an extra'... It's not a sweet or mischievous humour like Overlord or Fable, or further back into the annals of time, the Discworld adventures, but what it does succeed in doing is stick out like a sore thumb.

Conclusion:

 Despite being a deep RPG that delivers a lot of scope for fans of the hack 'n' slash genre, Sacred 2's 16-player online multiplayer is its only real stab at originality.  A lot feels familiar, and the attempt at humour doesn't pay off – that said, if you're looking for a stop-gap before Diablo III, then Fallen Angel will no doubt suit you well

Tuesday - November 18, 2008

Sacred 2 - Peek # 5 @ RPG Vault

by Dhruin, 22:22

RPG Vault serves up a new Peek at Sacred 2, travelling to the Seraphim lands:

To the north of the icy shores of the human and Orc lands, across a sea studded with icebergs and filled with the flashing fangs of deadly maritime life, lies Serra Island. As a traveler approaches within sight, its main volcanic peak rises through the thick mists created from the collision of harsh cold and rock-splitting heat. From that central spire, the landscape levels off across ice-encrusted rocky terrain, occasionally rising sharply due to a jagged mountain here or a craggy spine of hills there. Except for the volcano itself, the entire place is gripped by a sheen of ice, which manages to reign supreme here despite the warmth nearby thanks to the constant northern winds and the below-freezing temperatures they bring.

Sacred 2 - Review @ Strategy Informer

by Dhruin, 11:51

Another solid score for Sacred 2 with Strategy Informer's review awarding 8.2/10:

Luckily where Sacred 2 fails in ‘original’ storytelling, it makes up in its gameplay. Fallen Angel is as addictive as they come. Following the same lines as Diablo and the underrated Titan Quest, Ascaron have created a game that has one simple philosophy: all you need to enjoy an RPG is increasingly difficult mob and randomly generated loot. That’s not to say Sacred 2 is simply a grind through dingy dungeons against repetitive mobs.

Source: Blues News

Monday - November 17, 2008

Sacred 2 - Review @ Jolt

by Dhruin, 11:46

Jolt has reviewed Sacred 2, awarding a score of 8/10 despite the technical difficulties:

That’s not to say Sacred 2 has been entirely fixed as of yet, but it’s mostly there. It does seem bizarre that the game should ship in such an initially unfit state though, as if the developers had gotten so obsessed with adding things that they completely forgot to address some key issues like, say, getting players off to a smooth start. You see this is the major problem with Sacred 2: it’s a rich, detailed and often very funny game, full of love and attention to detail and things to do and a million ways to pick and customise a character, but until all of that gets you hooked (give it time, it will), the whole experience is vaguely underwhelming.

Thursday - November 13, 2008

Sacred 2 - Review @ IGN

by Magerette, 16:37

Sacred 2 gets some attention from the IGN folks, with this mostly positive game review:

  Sacred 2: Fallen Angel is a loot grind, no doubt about it. In that sense, this isn't a game that's going to offer anything compelling in terms of narrative or quest structure. Its aim is to offer a gigantic world for you to run around, whack stuff with weapons and spells, grab the loot it drops, and repeat. Developer Ascaron Entertainment's sequel definitely delivers on those elements, and offers up six interesting character classes to build and customize however you see fit. So if you're looking for a good old-fashioned loot grind to play by yourself or, better yet, with others online, this'll satisfy, though you can expect a number of technical problems both minor and major.

The review goes into  detail about the Temple Guardian character class and character diversification in general, quests, narrative, items and bugs, ending up with a score of 7.5 of 10.

Conclusion:

As far as Diablo-style hack-and-slash action-RPGs go, ...Sacred 2 is the best genre entry since Titan Quest. It offers a huge world to explore, tons of loot, plenty of monster types, and lots of ways to customize its six character classes. While it does have a quirky personality, it doesn't offer much as far as its narrative goes that's compelling, and the game suffers from numerous bugs and technical issues, including poor friendly AI, game crashes and performance problems, hopefully something that gets worked out over the coming months through patch updates. It's also not a game that tries anything truly novel, just a lot of tried-and-true quest, kill, loot, and repeat mechanics. With others online it's a much more enjoyable experience...

Wednesday - November 12, 2008

Sacred 2 - Shipping in NA

by Dhruin, 11:40

Ascaron and cdv send word that Sacred 2 should now be available in NA stores:

Sacred 2: Fallen Angel for Windows Ships to U.S. Retail Outlets

Cary, NC, November 11, 2008 - cdv Software Entertainment USA announced today that the eagerly awaited action- RPG, Sacred 2: Fallen Angel for PC,has been released to North American retail outlets and will also soon be available on digital distribution services including Valve's Steam®, IGN Entertainment's Direct2Drive and Stardock's Impulse. Previews have lauded Sacred 2 for its expansive game world, seamless online cooperative multiplayer and its diversity of original characters - all of which gamers can now experience for themselves. Sacred 2 is sure to please those that loved the original Sacred, along with fans of action-RPGs and fantasy aficionados. A special Collector's Edition with additional content will be available through Amazon.com in the United States, and Amazon.ca, Future Shop, and Electronic Boutique in Canada.

For more information about Sacred 2: Fallen Angel, please visit http://www.sacred2.com or http://www.cdvus.com.

Sacred 2: Fallen Angel is a hack-and-slash action-RPG with a rich story that takes place in a giant, open-ended and seamless world. This world contains massive dungeons, treacherous opponents and hundreds of challenging quests. Intelligent enemies, steadily adapting in number and difficulty based on player progress, challenge players in heroic single- and multiplayer battles for up to 16 gamers on the Games for Windows platform, and four-player cooperative games on consoles.

Sacred 2: Fallen Angel provides hundreds of unique items that can be gathered in this mystical world. A deep reward system further enables advancements in character, individual attributes and character-specific fighting styles, each designed to keep players returning to the world of Sacred 2: Fallen Angel to discover what is around the next bend. Drop-in styled cooperative multiplayer gameplay ensures players will enjoy the game alone or seamlessly with friends at any time. Five unique multiplayer modes for up to 16 gamers round out the rich features, and offer a refreshing, first-class gaming experience in Sacred 2: Fallen Angel.

In related news, RPG Vault has their 4th Peek at Sacred 2, covering the desert region.

Tuesday - November 11, 2008

Sacred 2 - Carrier Imp Trailer

by Dhruin, 21:19

Head over to Worthplaying for a Sacred 2 Carrier Imp trailer, which I think is an in-game bonus for NA Collector's Edition purchasers.

Friday - November 07, 2008

Sacred 2 - DRM Treats Copies as Trials

by Dhruin, 22:38

Readers in Europe and Australia where Sacred 2 has already been released may already know this but US distie cdv sent out this press release on the built-in 24 hour trial feature:

Sacred 2: Fallen Angel Introduces a Unique New "Try Before You Buy" Option

Innovative option allows consumers to share copies of the game with friends and family

November 7, 2008, Cary, NC - Looking to give consumers the most flexibility with their purchases of the Windows PC version of Sacred 2: Fallen Angel, cdv Software Entertainment USA and Ascaron Entertainment are pleased to announce the inclusion of an innovative "Try Before You Buy" system for their upcoming RPG game.

Using this innovative new feature, downloaded or purchased copies of the full game can be shared with friends and family, with these shared copies acting as full-featured demos for the duration of one calendar day. During the demo period the game is completely unlocked for single-player and LAN multiplayer modes. After the demo install expires the consumer has the option of purchasing the full game online, or simply uninstalling it. This, for example, allows consumers who purchased the full game in stores or via digital distribution channels, to share their game with friends, with those subsequent installs acting as time-limited "try before you buy" versions that allow gamers to enjoy almost all features found in the full game.

"We feel that consumers should have a right to choose, and this innovative system offers the perfect purchasing option for gamers," said Heiko tom Felde, Managing Director of ASCARON. "It's a great system for family and friends, allowing everyone the opportunity to try out the game and play together, then making a purchase decision."

"This innovative digital rights management solution raises the bar on how consumers can sample games before they buy them," added Mario Kroll, Director of Marketing and PR for cdv Software Entertainment USA. "Rather than showcasing only a limited character or content selection, as most traditional demos do, gamers can share and enjoy the full game experience, trying out the features that most appeal to them, and getting a true sense of the full game."

While we're talking Sacred 2, Shacknews has a new intro trailer.

Tuesday - November 04, 2008

Sacred 2 - Trailer @ Worthplaying

by Dhruin, 21:11

Worthplaying has a second intro trailer for Sacred 2 as the NA release fast approaches (25Mb).

Friday - October 24, 2008

Sacred 2 - Hotfix 2.12, NA Version Gold

by Dhruin, 23:45

Ascaron has released Hotfix 2.12.0 for Sacred 2 - this patch is required for online play.  You can grab the file link and notes on this page.

Blue's also has news from CDV that Sacred 2 has passed the Games for Windows certification and the NA version (no specific word on the shipping patch revision) has gone Gold and is expected in stores on November 11.

Tuesday - October 21, 2008

Sacred 2 - XBox360 and PS3 Versions Delayed Until Q1/09

by Gorath, 15:30

Ascaron officially announced today what had been hinted at between the lines a couple of weeks ago:

Sacred 2 for PS3 and XBox360 will be released in Q1/2009. Ascaron will use the time to work on the online components and ensure a worldwide simultaneous release.

Wednesday - October 15, 2008

Sacred 2 - Hotfix 2.11.2 Released

by Dhruin, 21:36

Ascaron has released another hotfix for Sacred 2, taking the version to 2.11.2:

The developers have been following community feedback and are making every effort to wipe out the most pressing problems as quickly as possible.  Further improvements on the lobby end are also a very high priority, so both types of changes are being worked on at the same time.

This Hotfix update is one further step in our efforts to address community feedback about Sacred 2.

This Hotfix must be installed to access online play!

Hit the link above for the full patch notes.

Friday - October 10, 2008

Sacred 2 - MP Lobby Issues

by Dhruin, 13:21

Ascaron has released a statement on some hiccups with the multiplayer lobby in Sacred 2:

New details about the lobby problems in Sacred 2 - Fallen Angel

As announced today by arvato systems, developers of the "Tincat" lobby software, the newly emerged problems with the multiplayer lobby for the action RPG Sacred 2 - Fallen Angel are the result of a complex interplay between the "Tincat" lobby software, the game code and the hardware.

In an extensive beta test conducted by Ascaron, the functionality of the lobbying apparatus using a TOTAL of 2000 players tested positive. The post release volume of more than 30,000 players unfortunately made some sporadic database problems with the lobby apparent. This is not something that could have been predicted from the test results we saw in the beta process.

In daily meetings between arvato systems, Ascaron and other participating companies, all problem areas have been analyzed and are now undergoing further changes and optimizations to provide a long-term stable environment for our players. The online game problems are being resolved. We will keep you updated on the progress of this via announcements on the website www.sacred2.com.

Friday - October 03, 2008

Sacred 2 - Patches, Trailer

by Dhruin, 00:38

A v2.10 patch for certain localised versions of Sacred 2 is available from the official site.  German, Italian, French and the "International" version (represented with a UK flag) are online, although I can't see any word on what the patch contains.

A new trailer is also available at the official site, showing off the Carrier Imp - an in-game special item for the Collector's Edition:

Everyone has been in this position...  At the end of a huge battle, you find that great unique or set-items dropped.  Unfortunately your inventory is full, and you're out in the middle of nowhere miles away from the nearest city.
 
With the Carrier Imp it's not a problem anymore! This little devil protects the players chest, and he will always find a way to drag it to you, from the lowest valley to the highest mountain peak, so you can safely store the valuable treasures found on your journey.
 
Every proud owner of the Sacred 2 - Collector’s Edition is entitled to get such a cheeky, little helper. This devilish helper can only be used in the Ascaron Closed net, therefore you have to activate a registration key which comes with every collector’s edition.


Are you are interested in taking a closer look at the little guy and
his huge load?

A video of the Carrier Imp can be found here.

Finally, Sacred Gold has been added to GameTap's roster of free games.

Thursday - October 02, 2008

Sacred 2 - Interview @ Gaming Nexus

by Dhruin, 13:35

Mario Kroll from cdv discusses Sacred 2 at Gaming Nexus:

As far as isometric RPGs go, Space Siege has been largely written off by critics as a failure, and Too Human has been raked across the coals likewise. How confident do you feel stepping out into this very chilly RPG climate?
I don’t think we’re seeing a “chilly RPG climate,” rather a “tired of the same” climate. That happens in every genre, and unless you’re really willing to bring something new to the table, gamers will be less than happy with you. So, with Sacred 2, we’re throwing all sorts of incredible features at gamers, and editors have noticed that the developers have raised the bar for fantasy Action RPGs once again.

First, there’s the online drop-in/out multiplayer, which allows the game to scale dynamically depending on the number and level of players. Start out by yourself, and the game sets the challenge appropriately. Then, as more friends drop into your game, it’ll make quests more challenging, adding more or more powerful monsters to encounters, making the bosses tougher, increasing the loot drops and unlocking unique party drop items only available during cooperative games.

Our online cooperative play will support 16 players on PC, and four players on Xbox Live and PlayStation Network, which means you’ll always have plenty of room for a big exploration party. Game play on the PC will allow each player to view their own screen, while the console versions utilize a shared screen, with all four players lassoed together on one screen. You can even play on the same console with up to two players by plugging in an additional controller.

Also, our game world is hand-made, nothing procedural or random about it. So you have a massive 22 square miles both above and below-ground to explore. You’re going to get a massive amount of replay value out of Sacred 2, that’s for certain.

Since the game world is so huge, we allow for mounts, which are custom to each character type. The Seraphim, for example, rides a saber tooth tiger. The Shadow Warrior rides on the back of a Hellhound, the Dryad a giant Monitor Lizard, the Temple Guardian a giant mechanical wheel, while the Inquisitor rides a lethal giant spider. The mounts serve as both a means to travel more quickly, but also permit mounted attacks, including unique attacks for each type of mount. You can even upgrade and equip the mounts, giving them better armor.

Source: Blues News

Tuesday - September 30, 2008

Sacred 2 - English Demo Released

by Dhruin, 00:32

Ascaron has quietly released an English demo for Sacred 2, again weighing in at 1.7Gb and showing off the Elf regions as a Seraphim.  Here's a list of mirrors from VoodooExtreme:

  • Atomic Gamer
  • Computer Games Romania
  • FileFront
  • FilePlanet
  • GamersHell
  • WorthPlaying
  • Source: Voodoo Extreme

    Thursday - September 25, 2008

    Sacred 2 - Preview, Temple Guardian

    by Dhruin, 22:27

    Sacred 2 has been previewed at Worthplaying, with the author quite impressed:

    What this doesn't touch on is how fun combat can be. Releasing an arrow from the string of a longbow can drop an unsuspecting bandit from a good ways away, smashing in a kobold's face with a mace is a reward unto itself, and though the combat is characteristically repetitive, it doesn't really feel that way. When killed enemies drop their loot and enter a nice ragdoll effect, combat sometimes gets a visceral edge, as you can snag the loot while simultaneously marveling at how an enemy's body just flipped over the railing and off the bridge.

    The variety of quests in Sacred 2 keep the player busy, which at times makes the game feel more like an open-world title than an RPG. Tons of entirely optional quests pepper the landscape, tasking the player with everything from slaughtering a number of enemies to rescuing prisoners or recovering stolen items. Though plot quests must be completed in order to advance the game, every one of those the player tackles will have been offset with 20 side-quests that you complete just for the heck of it — and the experience, money and the odd item, of course.


    ...and the official site has details of the last class - the Temple Guardian.  Head over for a wallpaper, 360 degree rendering, screen and details.

    Sacred 2 - Mounts, Peek #3

    by Dhruin, 00:41

    The Sacred 2 site has an article on mounts, listing the special options for each class.

    RPG Vault also has their latest Peek, which looks at Lizardmen and swamps:

    The marshlands of Ancaria were the site of ancient battles, and T-Energy leaks have been raising the corpses of the thousands of warriors who perished during these encounters. As a result, undead are everywhere, and represent the main enemy in this region for both for the player and the native Lizardmen.

    Sacred 2 - German Demo Released

    by Dhruin, 00:27

    As promised, a German demo for Sacred 2 has been released, although it doesn't seem terribly exclusive.  You can get it from the official German Sacred 2 site or Blue's lists these mirrors (1.7Gb):

    Source: Blues News

    Monday - September 22, 2008

    Sacred 2 - German Demo Wednesday!

    by Dhruin, 22:57

    Sir Brennus writes that GameStar.de will have an exclusive demo for Sacred 2 on wednesday - presumably German.  According to the announcement, the 2Gb file will offer players a taste of the Seraphim in the High Elves area, with several dungeons and 15 quests to solve.

    Sunday - September 21, 2008

    Sacred 2 - Blind Guardian Intro Trailer

    by Dhruin, 00:34

    The deal between Sacred 2 and metal band Blind Guardian seems to have stirred interest, so head to Worthplaying for a new trailer if that's your thing.

    Thursday - September 18, 2008

    Sacred 2 - Goes Gold

    by Myrthos, 17:32

    Sacred 2 has just gone gold and has passed the "Games for Windows" check, which means from the top of my head it should at least work on Vista and XP, makes use of parental control and support a controller. For some additional information check out the official site.

    Thanks Peter for informing us.

    Monday - September 15, 2008

    Sacred 2 - Inquisitor @ Official Site

    by Dhruin, 22:52

    The Inquisitor class has been introduced at the official Sacred 2 site, with a new theme for the site, a wallpaper and details.

    RPGWatch Feature: Sacred 2 Preview

    by Dhruin, 13:06

    During our visit to the Leipzig Games Convention, Myrthos had the opportunity to check out Sacred 2.  Here's a sample from our preview:

    The world of Sacred 2 looks beautiful and varied and is estimated to have a size of 22 square kilometers. In addition to the world, above there are also two dungeon levels below it of the same size. This means the game world is big enough to get lost for a while and Sebastian explained that it takes six hours to travel from one end to the other and there are no loading times when doing that. The world is completely open from the beginning - you can go anywhere you want but you'll probably get killed if you don’t follow the route of the main quest as least for a little while, as the monsters you’ll encounter might be too hard if you come across them early in the game.

    Read it all here.

    Saturday - September 13, 2008

    Sacred 2 - More on Copy Protection

    by Myrthos, 20:29

    Ascaron has contacted us with the information that one of our previous newsbits about the copy protection of Sacred 2 contained incorrect information that damaged the image of Ascaron. The newsbit has been updated with the new information we received from Ascaron about this issue.


    Edit by Gorath:
    As the original newsbit's author I would like to add that IMHO the newsbit only contained one significant piece of incorrect info. This was based on the direct and not out of context translation of a point mentioned in Ascaron's official German FAQ on their DRM. Unfortunately (or rather fortunately for the customer!) the obvious conclusion which had to be drawn from it turned out to be wrong. As soon as this became clear I made an update to the newsbit to make our readers aware of it. I'm sorry for posting this incorrect piece. The whole issue could have been avoided by not including such crucial info in the FAQ without further explanation, though.
    The other "incorrect information(s)" are not significant enough to influence the opinion on Ascaron's chosen DRM system, which, let me repeat, is much more user friendly than the one used by other publishers during the last year. I would consider this friction loss during the translation process. The very detailed sources had to be compressed.

    Ascaron was kind enough to send us an update to our original newsbit. Now we have 100% precise infos for you, directly from the publisher. They can be found behind the link above.

    Thursday - September 11, 2008

    Sacred 2 - Dryad Introduced @ Official Site

    by Magerette, 18:08

    The official site for Sacred 2 does the rollout for the final character choice in the game, a ranged hunter called the Dryad. You can see all the details on this page as well as download a new wallpaper featuring her here.

    Sacred 2 - Copy Protection Revealed [Update]

    by Gorath, 11:31

    Ascaron sent out a German PR with details about the CP & DRM solution for their upcoming action-RPG Sacred 2 - Fallen Angel. A FAQ explains further details. They have chosen SecuROM, but their implementation is clearly more customer friendly than the one a certain publishing giant used on a couple of recent games. Details:

    Edit: Ascaron has contacted us with the information that the contents of this newsbit did not reflect the truth completely and asked us to change it, so this should now reflect the correct information. The text in bold show the changes:

    • 1 box, 1 license
    • The license can be used online to play on our servers at no charge for the license owner
    • You can install Sacred2 on a 1000 PC´s but playing at the same time = 2x. This can be your Desktop and your notebook.
    • 2 can be played via LAN with one license
    • 2 can play SP
    • Unlimited installations, 2 activations parallel. Activations can be revoked through multiple channels (online-auto, online tools, offline). Revoke & re-activate can be done an unlimited number of times but limited per day to avoid abuse. It has to be a fair trade.
    • One PC component can be replaced without problems. Beyond that revoke & re-activate is the recommended procedure.
    • Putting up the internet a Serial code to abuse the key ad revoke tool will not work.
    • There will be a worldwide email hotline for DRM issues due to failed hardware, etc. The manual page with the key serves as proof of purchase.
    • The service at Securom will be available 365 days a year, 24 hours per day.
    • Ascaron hotline during biz hours for standard phone rates. (Germany only)
    • Internet connection is needed during installation. The FAQ explains you can use a friend's PC for manual activation though.
    • You can play without the DVD. It´s not needed in the drive.
    • No private data will be transfered during the activation process. You cannot even enter critical data.
    • The activation servers will be available for the next couple of years. Should this no longer be the case, the DRM will be patched out.
    • The whole activation process takes less than 10 seconds and runs in the background after typing in the serial code.
    • Sacred2 license is transferable. The EULA doesnt say no to it because its the right to sell what you bought before.

    Edit: Maybe it was not clear enough. The DRM stuff is only confirmed for Germany yet. The activation server page is available in 6 languages though ...

    Edit2: A little bit of finetuning to intro and list. Especially to the last bullet point.

    Edit3: That last bullet point is removed and replaced. Info updated in bold with updates from Ascaron.

    Edit4: I removed the comment after the list. Ascaron clarified what I considered to be an issue. The basis for my criticism is therefore gone.

    Wednesday - September 10, 2008

    Sacred 2 - Peek #2 @ RPG Vault

    by Dhruin, 23:25

    In their second Peek at Sacred 2, RPG Vault looks at home of the High Elves:

    To the north, the mountains are reinforced with a giant wall, built to keep humans in their domain, which lies beyond. However, small groups now and again manage to make it across, although few find any success other than as servants or laborers. The dominant race here is the elves, who live in a feudal society where most of the citizens are commoners and serfs, with a privileged nobility ruling over them.

    In other news, you can grab a new Dryad wallpaper from the official site.

    Thursday - September 04, 2008

    Sacred 2 - 50 Screens @ Worthplaying

    by Dhruin, 00:53

    Head to Worthplaying for 50 Sacred 2 screens featuring the Temple Guardian and Inquisitor.

    Wednesday - September 03, 2008

    Sacred 2 - Peek #1 @ RPG Vault

    by Dhruin, 23:55

    RPG Vault has kicked up their first Peek at Sacred 2, looking at the Human regions:

    If Ancaria was built to serve the needs of a few lucky races, the leftovers were saved for the lands where the Humans eke out a living. Here, they barely scrape a passable existence from the rough, hardscrabble terrain that is poorly suited to farming. The surrounding mountains, which are tall and wild, would serve as an excellent barrier to invaders... if there were anything worth making the effort to capture in the first place. However, these peaks act less as a obstacle to outside forces getting in, and more as an impediment to residents trying to 'go over the wall' as it were, in order to escape their current lot.

    Wednesday - August 27, 2008

    Sacred 2 - Preview @ GameZone

    by Dhruin, 02:46

    Head to GameZone for an overview of Sacred 2:

    Outside of its standard action-RPG fare, Sacred 2 is set to feature a beautiful seamless world for players to explore. What this translates to for gamers is that there’ll be no loading times when players enter into a dungeon. This perk should definitely interest fans of the genre no matter what their stance was on the original.

    Tuesday - August 19, 2008

    Sacred 2 - GenCon Preview @ GameSpy

    by Dhruin, 22:09

    GameSpy has a preview of Sacred 2 after playing a little at GenCon.  Their biggest concern is the complexity of the character system, which sounds like a plus to me:

    As we worked our way through the Dryad's opening quests, we took the opportunity to examine her initial powers, which was where the confusion set in. At the very beginning of the game, every character has 15 separate powers to choose from (along with the specific ones derived from the deity), although only one can be placed into the character's quick slot at any given time. These powers range from totems that fire poisonous arrows to a root that freezes an opponent in place. Easy enough. The kicker comes as the dryad levels up and the player realizes that each of these powers has its own skill tree that allows the player to completely customize their power depending on how they decide to play it. An AOE attack, for example, can have its duration, power or number of targets modified so a moderate meteor attack that hits five enemies can be changed to a weaker version that hits 10 or narrowed into a devastating single strike.

    Saturday - August 16, 2008

    Sacred 2 - New trailer available

    by Myrthos, 17:30

    A new trailer for Sacred 2 (made for the Games Convention) can be found at the official site.

    Alternative downloads can be found at Gamers Hell and probably some other places as well. 

    Friday - August 15, 2008

    Sacred 2 - Notebook Support & GenCon Details

    by Magerette, 17:25

    Ascaron's put out a couple of press releases on their upcoming action rpg Sacred 2: Fallen Angel. One deals with notebook support for the game: 

    ... In the development of the notebook gaming technology in SACRED 2 – Fallen Angel, the focus has been on 3 main areas, namely core processes, graphic optimization and notebook-specific features.

    SACRED 2, the much anticipated Action RPG, will bring Ad-Hoc gaming to the masses with Wi-Fi functionality and in-game displays. Ad-hoc is the term used for game modes offering players a very comfortable and simple way to play multiplayer games “on the fly”. Players with WLAN access will be able to quickly and easily create and join SACRED 2 wireless networks with other gamers in the vicinity.

    With its strong focus on notebook compatibility and features, and particular attention to mobile and onboard graphics solutions, SACRED 2 brings quality gaming entertainment to the wider notebook market. Targeting the mobile games market, from the high end 512MB graphics setup to entry level 128MB onboard chipsets, SACRED 2 will set a new trend in this often overlooked sector of gaming.

    All notebook functions are actively supported by the Intel Centrino Processor Technology...

    If you're fortunate enough to be attending the GenCon in Indianapolis, Ind, USA, this week,  the other press release gives directions and other information

    Source: GamersHell

    Thursday - August 14, 2008

    Sacred 2 - Inquisitor Media

    by Magerette, 22:36

    The official site  for Ascaron's action rpg Sacred 2 has posted a video, some screenshots and a description of the Inquisitor unit as a taste of what visitors to the Liepzig Games Convention will experience. You can catch it all here.

    Friday - August 01, 2008

    Sacred 2 - Combat Trailer @ GamersHell

    by Magerette, 18:00

    GamersHell has a two minute trailer up for Ascaron's forthcoming action rpg Sacred 2: Fallen Angel, featuring  some hardcore zombie hacking and slashing from the Shadow Warrior player character. It's streamable here.

    Tuesday - July 29, 2008

    Sacred 2 - Latest Concept Art

    by Magerette, 16:57

    GamersHell has added a couple of new concept art shots to their gallery for Ascaron's Sacred 2: Fallen Angel, and the official site has one more. 

    Saturday - July 19, 2008

    Sacred 2 - Optimised for Notebooks

    by Dhruin, 00:27

    Yeah, this announcement is as much a chance for some unbridled cross-promotional PR as anything else (Intel Centrino!) but as someone who gave up their desktop/gaming PC at the start of the year (Intel Centrino!) in favour of a laptop, it's about time developers started considering us. Here's a snip courtesy of Worthplaying (and the incredible Intel Centrino!):

    In the development of the notebook gaming technology in Sacred 2: Fallen Angel, the focus has been on 3 main areas, namely core processes, graphic optimization and notebook-specific features.

    Notebook-specific features include essential items such as in-game battery and wi-fi indicator displays, and the Ad-Hoc multiplayer mode (AMM) which is an innovative approach to gaming “on the move”, delivering fast Ad-Hoc wireless game creation and joining. All functions are actively supported by the Intel Centrino Processor Technology.

    Commenting on Sacred 2: Fallen Angel for notebooks, Heiko tom Felde, Managing Director of Ascaron Entertainment GmbH, explained, “Mobile PCs now account for over 60% of all PC hardware sales. Over the past few years this has created a huge market growth which is often disregarded by other major releases. The philosophy behind Sacred has always been to be accessible to everyone, in terms of gameplay, entertainment and system requirements. Notebooks and Sacred 2: Fallen Angel go hand-in-hand, allowing everyone to participate in the positive and rewarding game Ascaron has developed.”

    Commenting on the partnership between Intel and Ascaron, tom Felde said, “Our relationship with Intel has been superb. The level of support and professionalism provided by Intel is reflected in the performance of Sacred 2 on notebook systems. We are pleased that Intel opened their doors for Ascaron to work so closely and feature Sacred 2: Fallen Angel as the leading showcase for Intel’s exceptional new Centrino2 platform.”

    Tuesday - July 15, 2008

    Sacred 2 - Previews @ GameShark and Gaming Nexus

    by Dhruin, 13:49

    Two new previews of Sacred 2 are online, at GameShark and GamingNexus.  Here's a bit from the first, where the writer presumably hasn't spent much time with hack'n'slash action/RPGs:

    One of the first things that jumped out at me is the method in which your character is controlled. For some reason developer Ascaron eschewed the familiar WASD keys in favor of the mouse. To navigate your character you must constantly hold down the left mouse button and drag the mouse in whatever direction you want to move. It felt odd for my left hand to sit idly by while my right hand did all the work. Even after an hour of playing, I never really got used to it. I also wasn’t too crazy by the limited capabilities of the camera. Yes, you can zoom in and out, but you can’t zoom in to first person point-of-view, nor can you tilt the camera’s angle. It's not a deal breaker, but just a bit odd.

    ...and the second:

    In this 2,000-years-before-the-original prequel, I roam across the Caribbean blue coastlines of the High Elf region, grittier stone-stacked Human lands, marshlands, deserts, jungles, and wastelands. I climb the crystal-sparkling towers of the Seraphim, the pyramidal ziggurats of the Dryads, and the snow-less tundra that the Orcs call home. The landscapes are as varied as the dramatis personae, but erring more on the side of realism. And as my Shadow Warrior slays his way from corner to corner of the myriad countrysides, he also paces through intricately-detailed towns, well-populated capitol cities, and lonely farmsteads. And never once did I have a load screen impede my progress. The exploration is seamless, free-form, and hundreds-of-hours big.

    Source: Blues News

    Tuesday - July 08, 2008

    Sacred 2 - Closed Beta Call

    by Dhruin, 23:50

    Ascaron is calling for applications for the closed beta phase:

    We are in the process of expanding our closed beta test team, but please read and consider this information carefully before you rush to click the link at the end of this announcement. The closed beta test is a very important process that has very specific goals – making a bug-free game that is enjoyable to play in all it's aspects. It is not simply an opportunity for fans or dedicated players to have a chance to play the game early. With this in mind, please only apply if you're prepared for some hard work, and are motivated by a desire to make the released game better.

    ...and while we're at it, they've released some new screenshots.

    Thursday - July 03, 2008

    Sacred 2 - High Elf Videos @ IGN

    by Magerette, 17:19

    IGN has two short streaming gameplay videos showing the High Elf avatar from Ascaron's Sacred 2:Fallen Angel in action: 

    One shows the Adept as an Arrant Pyromancer. This is a traditional sort of mage, ready to fling hurtful fire in any direction. The second video showcases the more defensive Adept, the Mystic Stormite. The Mystic Stormite benefits from increased survivability thanks to protection and invisibility spells, but he or she can still manage to dish out massive damage when the situation calls for it. There are other aspects and other abilities for the High Elves than you'll see in these two clips, but they should give you a good idea of what to expect when Sacred 2: Fallen Angel ships later this year.

     

    Friday - June 27, 2008

    Sacred 2 - PS3 Official Announcement and Screenshot Features

    by Dhruin, 13:09

    Sacred 2 officially hits the PS3:

    Ascaron Entertainment Announces Sacred 2: Fallen Angel for the PlayStation® 3
     
    Hamburg, Germany - June 26 2008 - ASCARON ENTERTAINMENT GmbH, one of Europe’s leading game developers, today announced that the PLAYSTATION® 3 version of their upcoming action RPG, Sacred 2: Fallen Angel will hit retail shelves this fall.

    "Role-playing game enthusiasts have always been strongly represented on the PLAYSTATION® platforms, and we are delighted to offer a version of Sacred 2: Fallen Angel for the PlayStation® 3," said Heiko tom Felde, Managing Director of ASCARON ENTERTAINMENT GmbH. "We’ve been working on this version for more than a year, and can now proudly reveal it and its new features, to an entirely new audience."

    This version of Sacred 2: Fallen Angel will feature enhanced graphics, 5.1 Channel Dolby™ Surround Sound and support drop-in cooperative play, as well as other multiplayer gaming modes via the Internet. The game also features two-player shared-screen gaming on one console – players simply pick up a controller, press "Start" and join their friends. Players can save their characters and use them in all game modes – allowing the same character to be used both in single-player or multiplayer modes, accumulating experience and loot seamlessly. The controls and interface have been developed from scratch for the PLAYSTATION 3 to ensure fluid and intuitive game play optimized for the platform throughout.

    New screenshots are available at:
    http://cdv.gamespress.com/ (members of the media)
    http://www.cdvus.com (consumers)

    Sacred 2: Fallen Angel is an action RPG which features a huge, seamless and living world spanning over 22 square miles of hand-crafted terrain, top-notch 3D graphics and online "hot swap" cooperative play with monsters that dynamically adjust to party strength for a consistent challenge. For more information about Sacred 2, slated to ship world-wide for PLAYSTATION 3 in Fall 2008, please visit http://www.sacred2.com.

    ...and GamesRadar has a Hot Chicks in Armour screen feature.

    Monday - June 23, 2008

    Sacred 2 - Preview @ Gamersinfo.net

    by Magerette, 16:47

    Gamersinfo.net posts a hands-on preview of the action RPG sequel from Ascaron and CDV, Sacred 2:Fallen Angel and seems more than ready to get their hands on the actual game as a result:

    Having spent time with Sacred 2: Fallen Angel in the past, I've been confident it would fill the need of the RPG-junkie pretty well. My recent experience assures me that it is just the right mixture [of] swords, sorcery, breast-enhancing armor and high fantasy to be a serious contender for a very long term addiction...

    There is a reason this title has been four years in development with a team of 100 people. Environments range from the expected volcanic calderas to lush forests, with a few that simply aren't seen enough — swamps and archaeological ruins. The desert is, as expected, a barren wasteland; the reward for daring this area is oases which provide powerful unique items...

    The monster AI adjusts its aggression levels based upon character and party size, but not by scaling the difficulty of the monster. It uniquely adjusts the group size of the attacking mob until the fight becomes even. If you are of no consequence, you will be left alone; if you are too powerful, the mob will wait until it can gather additional creatures before attacking.

     

    Saturday - June 21, 2008

    Sacred 2 - Blog Update @ IGN

    by Dhruin, 02:24

    The official Sacred 2 blog at IGN has a new entry on progamming 5.1 sound:

    Lars Hammer (37) is the lead audio designer and audio/network programmer on Sacred 2 - Fallen Angel. Today he will shed some light on the special aspects of Sacred 2's 5.1 music - and prick up your ears too!

    At demonstrations and press events I always point out that Sacred 2 is one of the few games featuring an actual 5.1 soundtrack. Usually, people reply "Well, that's not really that new a feature. When I play xyz I always hear something on the back speakers, too..."

    Therefore, I'd like to tell you a bit more about this subject.

    Friday - June 13, 2008

    Sacred 2 - Preview @ GamingExcellence

    by Magerette, 19:10

    The latest preview on view for Ascaron's upcoming action RPG, Sacred 2:Fallen Angel comes from GamingExcellence, with an emphasis on the MP design:

     Whether playing single player or multiplayer, players will be using the same character is either mode, which is great for players looking for a little help on a particularly difficult quest or those who intend to play exclusively with friends.

    However, character class plays a very large role in determining what players can play together. Sacred 2 allows players to choose a path of good or evil, and character class plays a large role in determining that path. The High Elf, Dryad, Shadow Warrior and Temple Guardian classes all have a choice in which path players will follow. The Seraphim class and Inquisitor classes are locked in to light and shadow paths respectively. Therefore, it’s not possible for a Seraphim player to join up with an Inquisitor, but aside from that exception, it seems that there are countless other possibilities for players to match up with each other.

    The host of any game determines which quests parties will embark upon, and this mechanic extends to the deity system. The deity system is essentially a god that is chosen by the player, and each deity offers exclusive secondary quests and combat techniques to the player. Therefore, playing with other players who follow a different deity than you will allow you to unlock some of these quests and items without starting a whole character anew.

    Source: GameBanshee

    Thursday - June 12, 2008

    Sacred 2 - Preview @ OXM

    by Dhruin, 01:03

    A short preview of Sacred 2 from the Official Xbox Magazine is now available online:

    Comparing Sacred 2 to the Diablo series shouldn’t be taken as a dismissal — it’s actually a statement of fan love. Action-RPG fans haven’t had a new Diablo game since 2000 (sob!), and CDV’s Sacred sequel looks like it might finally scratch that old itch. Six unique characters — some on the light path, some on the dark, with appropriately different goals and missions — set out in a medieval fantasy world some 22-square-miles huge, hacking and slashing their way through 100 core campaign quests… along with about 650 (!) side quests. The critical path should take about 25 hours, but who won’t want to wander and explore some of those extras? Especially considering that each character can buy mounts to help them get around — dark-path Inquisitors, for instance, ride on the back of a giant spider, while the cyborgian Temple Guardians tool around in a giant mechanical wheel. (It looks cool in motion, trust us.)

    Tuesday - June 10, 2008

    Sacred 2 - New Screens @ Worthplaying, Preview @ IGN

    by Magerette, 18:31

    Worthplaying has added 13 new screens to their gallery for  cdv's and Ascaron's Sacred 2: Fallen Angel, and IGN has done a preview of the XBox 360 version:

     The major difference between the PC and 360 versions is the interface and inventory system. While the PC fellows have a traditional menu setup filled with windows and checkboxes, things have been kept simple on the 360...

    Sacred 2 is built on a system where there is no tech tree to drill through before you can unlock all of your skills. From the start, based on choices you make when creating your character, you get 15 skills plus an additional five based on your which deity you align with.Leveling up allows you to improve your overall stats and specialize those skills. A lighting bolt spell might begin as a simple blast, but at level two you can decide whether to make that bolt do more damage or reflect around to hit multiple enemies.

    Saturday - June 07, 2008

    Sacred 2 - Preview @ Gamespot

    by Magerette, 17:34

    Gamespot  does a short hands-on preview along positive lines for CDV's and Ascaron's action RPG, Sacred 2: Fallen Angel, scheduled for release later this year: 

    In addition to the seraphim and shadow warrior, you can choose a high elf, dryad, temple guardian, and inquisitor. With the exception of the seraphim and inquisitor classes, you can choose to embark on either a light or dark campaign. While the seraphim is the epitome of good and can choose only a light path, the inquisitor is a great big jerk capable of wielding dark T-energy and scaring small children. Consequently, only the path of shadow is available to him.

    The customization options are fairly deep for each class. At this point, you won't be able to create a character from scratch, and we were forced to play as a preset shadow warrior, although CDV is looking into some basic cosmetic customization options to make your character your own. The first important customization choice is to select your own personal deity. Each class begins with 15 combat arts, so you won't have to waste time power-leveling for special attacks. Each of the six deities will unlock an additional five combat arts for you

     

    Source: Blues News

    Sunday - May 25, 2008

    Sacred 2 - Character Profiles @ Official Site

    by Dhruin, 01:08

    Head over to the Sacred 2 site for profiles of several of the character classes, with more to come.  Here's a sample:

    Following the path of Shadow, the High Elf will seize the opportunity to lead her house back to where it once belonged: To the very top of the High Elven society. During her travels across Ancaria she intends to find powerful allies and to improve her magical abilities. She is scheming to reinstate her family as sovereigns, and to place herself at the top of the academy. In order to reach this goal, she is prepared to destroy literally everything...

    Saturday - May 24, 2008

    Sacred 2 - Screens @ Gamers Hell

    by Dhruin, 01:08

    Four new Sacred 2 screens are on offer at Gamer's Hell. 

    Wednesday - May 21, 2008

    Sacred 2 - Locations Blog @ IGN

    by Woges, 15:53

    Janosch Toth blog piece about designing levels in Sacred 2 with large pictures of the locations discussed.

    My name is Janosch Toth, and I've been in the games business since 1990 as a graphic artist, level designer and game designer. So far I've worked on more than 20 commercial computer games. For Sacred 2 my role is that of a level designer.

    I'm going to tell you about how I design most locations in the world of Sacred 2, and here's an example…

    Recently I was given the task of creating a cemetery for one of the larger Human villages ("Artamark's Gate"). I generally don't draw a detailed plan or sketch when building a location; instead I build them to match the imaginary pictures I have in my mind. First of all I consider the main aspect of the location, and I try to imagine it in a very realistic way. The way locations are designed must fit in with the surrounding scenery, as well as convey the mood and the atmosphere of its purpose. The specific location in the world must also be selected with these considerations in mind. For the cemetery, I've selected a location that allows for a high structure and a crypt just off the entrance.

    Now I start working on the key element, and I refine it until I can imagine the size and the look of the finished element. I need to make sure that I'll be able to finish my project with the means (textures, objects, colors) at hand.

    Once that is complete, I'll plan and mark the positions of the other elemental objects for the whole location. In the case of the cemetery, I define the surrounding walls, the paths and the positions of the more ostentatious graves and crypts.

    With a general idea of the overall location, I go back to working on the key element or select a smaller but typical part of the location and finish it to almost 100%.

    Wednesday - May 14, 2008

    Sacred 2 - Interview #2 @ GamePro

    by Dhruin, 01:18

    The second part of GamePro's interview with Ascaron on Sacred 2 is up, discussing the story and then enumerating the character classes.  The first bit of a long answer on the story:

    GamePro: Can you elaborate on the story of Sacred 2?

    AE: For aeons, The Creator has been designing worlds. He populated each of these worlds with an intelligent race to ensure he would be worshipped. Since the beginning of time, the Seraphim and their leaders - the Archangels - have been by his side to assist him. And thus the cycle remained in harmony, until the Archangels took it upon themselves to forge their own world. They siphoned the ethereal creative energy without The Creator's knowledge and used it to forge their own planetary creation, placing several intelligent races upon it. Each of these races were given the freedom to pursue their own goals. The Archangels named this world Ancaria.

    Monday - May 12, 2008

    Sacred 2 - New Screens @ GamersHell

    by Magerette, 16:03

    GamersHell has added a couple of new screens to their gallery for Ascaron's action  rpg sequel, Sacred 2: Fallen Angel. One is an  interior shot of an in-game location and is quite  detailed and intricate, and the other looks like some spellcasting fireworks.

    Friday - May 09, 2008

    Sacred 2 - Interview #1 @ GamePro

    by Dhruin, 00:54

    They had a preview recently and now GamePro has Part 1 of an interview with unnamed Ascaron staffers on Sacred 2:

    What would you say is the "hook" of Sacred 2? What are the one or two things that you're most proud of and feel are the most unique?

    AE: There are many reasons to be proud of Sacred 2, just picking two is really difficult. That said, one of the things we are proud of is how our technology is going to advance online-multiplayer gameplay.

    We have a technology that allows an instant "drop-in" feature during the single-player campaign, creating a cooperative gameplay experience that supports up to eight people. If you "open up" your game on our server (which is free of charge) while you play, other gamers can join your game after you approve their request. You can also set up buddy lists, and find new friends to play Sacred 2 with.

    Players will find this useful either when they are up against a boss, or a dangerous mob. If you need help, you can contact a buddy with the click of a button, and they can then come help and fight. Your friends can instantly join in on the game, and it does not affect their campaign, except in that they earn additional experience and items.

    Thursday - May 08, 2008

    Sacred 2 - Preview @ GamesRadar

    by Magerette, 17:30

    GamesRadar  posts Desslock's full PC Gamer hands-on preview of Ascaron's Sacred 2: Fallen Angel, which goes into quite a bit of detail regarding the upcoming action rpg sequel:

    Sacred was a massive, innovative action RPG that impressed us enough to be proclaimed PC Gamer’s RPG of the Year in 2004. But, like all games, it was imperfect; most notably, its hack-and-slash combat quickly became repetitive, and controls occasionally felt imprecise. After finally playing some of its much-anticipated prequel, I’m convinced that Sacred 2 will address the gameplay faults that burdened its predecessor and deliver an even bigger, more visually impressive world...

    ...I was also impressed by the combat AI - while Sacred was so combat-intensive that it was difficult to take five steps without being attacked, this time around, enemy AI is complex enough that some weaker creatures fled when I approached, only attacking when in numbers great enough to pose a threat. Organized groups can be frightened off by killing their leader, which saved my butt a couple of times.

    Although it certainly isn’t going to break the Diablo clone mold, Sacred 2 is shaping up to be bigger, deeper, and more replayable than its predecessor. Its massive free-form world distinguishes it from most other action RPGs and should make it another genre contender - and I’m looking forward to playing through the campaign in multiplayer.

     

    Source: GameBanshee

    Saturday - May 03, 2008

    Sacred 2 - Blind Guardian Q & A @ Gamespot UK

    by Magerette, 17:18

    The official site for Ascaron's action rpg, Sacred 2:Fallen Angel, posts a link to an interview at Gamespot UK with German metal band Blind Guardian, who are involved with music for the game:

    While there's a good chance you'll hear your favourite rock band's music in a game these days, it isn't every day that you get to go questing for the band in-game. That's exactly what fans of the German fantasy-metal band Blind Guardian will get to do in the hack-and-slash action RPG Sacred 2, planned for release on PC and Xbox 360 in late 2008...

    GameSpot UK: How did Blind Guardian get involved with Sacred 2?

    Hansi Kursch: That's quite an interesting story. Having three very active fantasy computer game nerds in the band, it's easy to imagine the big impact Sacred 1 has had on us. Because of their passion for Blind Guardian, some of the people at Ascaron in charge of Sacred 2 saw it as an opportunity to have us in the game musically. Coincidence or predestination? We'll never know. Fact is, when we were finally contacted by Ascaron, asking if we were interested in doing a song for the game, we immediately agreed to do so. So far the whole thing has been great fun for us. The reason for that is quite simple: Blind Guardian's music and the world of Ancaria perfectly blend together.

    GS UK: What exactly can we expect from Blind Guardian in Sacred 2?

    HK: At first we were only asked to do a song which would be used in the game. Later on, the Ascaron guys came up with the splendid idea of having us as resident [non-playable characters] in the world of Ancaria. We perform in the game as a kind of prize after a quest which our characters are involved in. We're here today to do motion capture for that performance, so it's a big challenge, and the first time we've ever done anything like this.

    Thursday - May 01, 2008

    Sacred 2 - Preview @ GamePro

    by Dhruin, 23:24

    A generic preview of Sacred 2 is up at GamePro:

    Some enthusiasts of games like World of Warcraft and Diablo get so into them that they replace things like eating regular meals, going to work, and maybe even taking showers with activities such as raiding dungeons and leveling-up characters. If you're one of these people, you should be very afraid as the upcoming Sacred 2 could start this cycle all over again with its 27 square miles of exploreable land and massive, demon-filled dungeons.

    Alternatively, check out this hands-on impressions thread on our forums for something with more insight.

    Tuesday - April 29, 2008

    Sacred 2 - New Video @ Gametrailers

    by Magerette, 19:38

    The official site for Ascaron's upcoming action rpg, Sacred 2:Fallen Angel, has a link to a new two minute video complete with a Blind Guardian sound clip over at Gametrailers.

    Thursday - April 17, 2008

    Sacred 2 - Preview @ GamingExcellence

    by Dhruin, 23:11

    GamingExcellence has a pretty good hands-on preview of Sacred 2.  Here's a bit on the character development sysem:

    The ability system is also something of an anomaly, at least for people who’ve played hack-and-slashers like this before. The oddity is this: you start out with all of your abilities unlocked already. There are essentially no level requirements. As you level up, you gain skill points that you can attribute to any of your abilities or raise things such as weaponry skills and defensive abilities. While some might raise a questioning eyebrow regarding this choice, I for one found promise within it.

    The ability to use all of the abilities without investing any skill in them means not having to worry about what kind of ‘build’ I should have, and feeling like I’ve wasted skill points after spending them. There’s nothing quite as demoralizing as saving up skill points to spend them in “Armageddon Explosive-tacular” only to find out that it’s a somewhat-large burst of fire. The ability system also brings in a lot of customizability to your character, and the question of if you want to specialize your skills and grow powerful in particular areas or to generalize and have a bevy of abilities at your control is yours to answer. And with fifteen abilities per character, there’re a lot of choices to make.

    Source: GameBanshee

    Sacred 2 - XBox 360 Screens @ Official Site

    by Magerette, 20:41

    The official site for Ascaron's action rpg Sacred 2:Fallen Angel has six new screenshots up for the Xbox 360 game version. You can view them here.

    Source: GameBanshee

    Monday - April 14, 2008

    Sacred 2 - 2 New Screens @ Worthplaying

    by Magerette, 16:39

    Worthplaying has posted two new screenshots from  Ascaron's action RPG sequel, Sacred 2. One of them is a rather nice shot of what looks like a dual-wielding seraphim, the other appears to be the Shadow Warrior.

    The accompanying description notes:

    Sacred 2: Fallen Angel is slated to launch on PC and Xbox 360 in the second half of 2008.

    Saturday - April 12, 2008

    Sacred 2 - Quests @ IGN Blog

    by Dhruin, 23:50

    Ascaron has updated their IGN blog with an example of how their in-house quest editor for Sacred 2 works:

    At Studio II we use our custom-made quest editor for implementing stories and quests in Sacred 2. In any game a quest basically consists of the following components: characters, items and interdependencies. You could very well program them using a scripting language, but it's a lot easier to just select all elements with your mouse. You still may use the scripting language for all the other stuff, but usually that's no longer necessary. 

    Thursday - March 20, 2008

    Sacred 2 - Playable at German RPC

    Tuesday - March 11, 2008

    Sacred 2 - Preview @ Frictionless Insight

    by Magerette, 16:42

    Games site Frictionless Insight is the next to post a preview of the upcoming action rpg from Ascaron and cdv, Sacred 2: Fallen Angel, and it's quite detailed, dlving into the plot and gameplay mechanics:

    Sacred 2 plans to offer two parallel storylines set in a colossal world...Set in this huge world are two campaigns – the "light" and "shadow" campaigns. Each will host around 180 quests, and although some of the quests will be similar, that's because characters on the two campaigns get to approach them from opposite sides...

    Ascaron has implemented a morale and leadership system among the game's monsters so that they behave as a more realistic group than a simple mob. For example, a group of kobolds might be accompanied by a mage as well as a kobold leader. If that leader gets killed, the morale of the others might fail, causing the band to run away until it can regroup and designate a new leader.

    There are also battles with huge bosses..[they] will have weaknesses and attack patterns that will need to be deciphered before players can achieve victory. Such battles won't be a matter of simply equipping the best weapons and pounding away at the boss-sized enemy.

    A little on multiplayer:

    Multiplayer action is a key part of the design of Sacred 2. Ascaron is planning a variety of multiplayer modes ranging from cooperative adventures to all-out player-vs.-player combat. The big selling point of Ascaron's plans is that multiplayer play will still build up your single-player character. When you leave a multiplayer game, you'll retain the items and experience that you gain, going back to your place in the single-player campaign. As in other action/role-playing games, players will be able to choose paths, skills and combos that might emphasize single-player play, co-operative play or multiplayer mayhem, and each configuration will act and look different.

     

    Source: Bluesnews

    Monday - March 10, 2008

    Sacred 2 - Preview @ Worthplaying

    by Magerette, 18:05

    Worthplaying has a preview up for cdv's and Ascaron's action rpg, Sacred 2:Fallen Angel, which goes over all the basics they observed in the PC demo:

    When starting out, players choose from one of six character classes (Dryad, High Elf, the Inquisitor, the Seraphim, Shadow Warrior or Temple Guardian), each with its own special attributes and abilities. In addition to selecting a class, players must determine if they will follow the path of Light or Shadow. The Seraphim and the Inquisitor are rooted in the roles of Light and Shadow, respectively, but all other characters are free to choose. Which path you take will determine which quests you receive and which allies you make, as well as how NPCs react when they see you. It's all fairly standard RPG fare at this point, but if it isn't broken, why mess with a successful formula?...

    The world of Sacred 2 is vast and beautiful, and the developers tell us that if you scale it out, the map covers 22 square miles, and it is all one continuous realm with no separate load screen interruptions. They also claim that walking from the northwestern to southeastern points takes six hours, if you know where you're going and take the most direct route. 

    Conclusion: 

    RPG fans are a picky lot, and many have grown tired of the stilted JRPG storylines and overly emotive and self-important heroes. The big question right now is if Sacred 2: Fallen Angel is willing to break with convention and offer something new and fresh. So far, it looks like all the pieces are in place for a fun and lengthy quest that will likely draw in fans of epic dungeon crawlers...

    Friday - March 07, 2008

    Sacred 2 - GDC 2008 Insights @ RPG Vault

    by Dhruin, 21:22

    This is the first of a series with RPG Vault's Jonric talking to various game developers about the recently completed GDC 2008.  For this first one, Ascaron and publisher CDV are were there for Sacred 2:

    Jonric: What did you do at GDC this year, both officially and informally? What did you learn? What was most interesting? Did anything surprise you? What was most worthwhile and productive?

    Heiko tom Felde
    Managing Director
    Ascaron Entertainment GmbH
    We demoed Sacred 2 last year and made some promises. So officially, our aim this year was to deliver on them, and to show the progress our team has made since then. It was a milestone too. This GDC, our game was ready and stable, though the booth wasn't 100 percent because of some lost materials. :=))

    Monday - March 03, 2008

    Sacred 2 - Developer Game Trailer @ Official Site

    by Magerette, 18:35

    The official site for  Ascaron's upcoming action RPG, Sacred 2 has a trailer up showcasing the game with a blow by blow exposition by developer Sebastian Walter. You can view the streaming version at GameTrailers and also on the homepage.

    Friday - February 29, 2008

    Sacred 2 - Preview @ 1Up

    by Dhruin, 23:06

    1Up is next along with a Sacred 2 preview from GDC.  Having a choice of PC or X360 versions to look at, 1Up chose the X360 and the previewer then proceeds to talk it up:

    Developer Ascaron feels Xbox 360 is lacking something. No, not hardware stability -- although that was a good guess. The German company means action-RPGs.

    "Where are they?" asks Sebastian Walter, a member of Ascaron's 360 development team. I look over both shoulders futilely, then say with a shrug reply, "Shouldn't I be asking you that question?"

    The developer nods and guides me over to two demo kiosks, one PC and one 360. Both are running a copy of Sacred 2: Fallen Angels. Although the two versions look to offer similar experiences, with a conjoined release date, the 360 build shown at Game Developers Conference contained some of the more exciting elements.

    A major, if not obvious, change from the original Sacred titles is in the controls. Players now directly maneuver the character via the left thumbstick, ditching the droning monotony of point-and-confirm mouse clicking. Basic potions and attacks are mapped to the face buttons, with special abilities mapped to the D-pad. The right thumbstick zooms and swings the camera around the character, revealing that Ascaron is ditching the pseudo-isometric art style of the original Sacred games for a full 3D environment.

    Wednesday - February 27, 2008

    Sacred 2 - Preview @ GameSpy

    by Dhruin, 09:59

    GameSpy has a short introductory preview of Sacred 2 from GDC:

    Diablo-style action-RPGs seem to thrive on their simplicity. The fact that they largely take place within the strict boundaries of linear play-spaces sharpens their focus on the immediate payoff of clicking enemies to death and snatching up the resulting loot. But don't tell that to Sacred 2, which appears to have more expansive aspirations.

    This is most evident in the sheer size of its world: 22 streaming square miles of terrain, ranging from plains and forests to swamps and badlands, with a network of underworld areas built into the caves and cities that populate the landscape. According to our host, every square inch of the environment was hand-built, as opposed to procedurally generated, with the aim of creating a world as organic-seeming as it is ample. All the bells and whistles you'd expect from this kind of "offline-persistent" world are present, including day and night cycles and NPCs with set schedules. 

    Monday - February 25, 2008

    Sacred 2 - New Screens @ 1Up

    by Magerette, 18:39

    1UP has added 10 screenshots to their gallery for Ascaron's action rpg due out this fall, Sacred 2:Fallen Angel. You can view them here.

    Sunday - February 24, 2008

    Sacred 2 - Previews @ Various Sites

    by Magerette, 18:11

    Gamebanshee points out a trio of previews for Ascaron's  upcoming action rpg,  Sacred 2: Fallen Angel sparked by a demo revealed at the 2008 Games Developers Conference.

    Gamespot  finds the game faithful to the Diablo action rpg format, but with distinctive differences:

    ...The impression we got of Sacred 2 is that it's a bit like Diablo, with a huge, seamless world the size of Oblivion's. That's an intriguing combination...

    ...The one thing that the developer wanted to hammer home is that this isn't a hack-and-slash-style game, like Diablo. Sure, there's plenty of combat, but there's also more exploration and role-playing. To that extent, the world of Sacred 2 will feel like a living, breathing place. The citizens of the world all have daily schedules. Hang around town in the evening and you'll see them head to the pub for dinner and a drink.

    Gamersinfo.net is enthusiastic and goes into the most details about gameplay mechanics:

    Like every good RPG, this game has lots of choices. Lots of them. Lots and lots and lots. It could be the six different races which give me this impression: Serphim, Shadow Warrior, Inquisitor, Temple Guardian, Dryad or High Elf. Or, it might be that four of the races can choose a dark or light path - that whole "let's mix up the content" design element (tricksy game developers). The deities, the mounts, the skill sets (the runes!), the quests, the loot - the 22 square miles encompassing 12 different environments of game play...

    ... Each class has three basic sets of skills - not exactly a skill tree, but a set: Combat Arts, Active Magic and Defense. Within each category is the set appropriate for that class - the Shadow Warrior...had Rallied Souls: Undead Warriors who ran around killing for him for a limited time...

    ...Depending upon the skill of the character, there will be multiple active slots open for active skills. You may know 20 skills, but may only have 1-4 active at any one time. (I do not know if 4 is the max, it is simply the maximum I witnessed.) Add to this your weapon and armor and you start to develop builds...

    Finally, IGN  has the following to say about mounts:

    The most interesting part of the demo were the mounts. Each of the six character classes can ride a horse to more rapidly traverse the countryside or unlock class specific ones. The latter type allow characters to utilize a majority of their special skills while mounted – certainly useful. If you're to disembark the mount will follow you around, and can be dismissed and recalled whenever you see fit.

    Source: GameBanshee

    Wednesday - February 20, 2008

    Sacred 2 - New Shortscene @ Official Site

    by Magerette, 17:17

    The official site for Ascaron's upcoming action RPG Sacred 2: Fallen Angel, has posted a short video featuring the Golem. Clocking in at 8 seconds, and called a 'shortscene,' it's more of an animated screenshot than a traditional trailer. Download it at the previous link or view the streaming version at Gamer's Hell.

     

    Source: Bluesnews

    Friday - February 15, 2008

    Sacred 2 - Preview @ The BorgGaming

    by Magerette, 18:45

    The official site for Ascaron's action rpg Sacred 2: Fallen Angel posts a link to a preview at German site TheBorgGaming. Here are a few excerpts:

    ...In Sacred 2 you have to play though 180 main- and the unbelievable number of around 650 sidequests. The mainquests will be linear leading you through the storyline, in the course of which you will travel to all important locations of Ancaria. Regardless that you can always play sidequests, whenever you like. This is even recommendable, because it's a good way to level your character. Whenever needed, you can easily go back to the mainquest using your questlog. Nevertheless you can explore Ancaria on your own initiative. There're no limits and you can go wherever you like. Just the increasing strength of the monsters will stop you from time to time...

    ...There are six playable character classes. Seraphim, the Shadow Warrior, the Inquisitor, the Dryad, the Temple Guardian and the High Elf. Seraphim can only be played on the light side and the Inquisitor only on the dark side. For the others you can choose in the beginning of the game between light and dark side. This decision can't be reversed during the game. Depending on your choice gaming experience will change. Furthermore every character has to choose a divinity. This divinity provides you with special, supernatural combat skills, which will have an extreme long recharge time, and therefore should only be used in special situations.

    Every class will have a special mount. So far the saber-toothed tiger for Seraphim and the hellhound for the Shadow Warrior are known. The special mounts will have their own attack skills, which can be used while riding them. There will be neutral mounts, as horses, which can be used by all classes. It will even be possible to equip your mounts with bridle, saddle and special armors.

     

    Thursday - January 31, 2008

    Sacred 2 - Fansite Kit Available

    by Magerette, 17:25

    Ascaron announces the release of a digital fansite kit for its action rpg, Sacred 2:Fallen Angel at the official site

    Build your own Sacred 2 site – we will provide the materials!

    Effective immediately, you will be able to download the "Sacred 2 – Fallen Angel" fansite kit. Become an online builder and design your very own Sacred 2 fansite.

    The fansite starter pack is here to help you create Sacred 2 fansites or guild homepages. Numerous different graphics and materials are ready and waiting to be downloaded. The kit contains logos, renderings, artwork, templates, screenshots and much more.

    We hope you will enjoy designing your Sacred 2 fansite, and we will support you in every way we can.

    Here's the link  to the materials download.

    Wednesday - January 30, 2008

    Sacred 2 - NA Publisher Announced

    by Magerette, 16:57

    The official site  for Ascaron's action rpg, Sacred 2:Fallen Angel posts the following press release announcing cdv as the North American publisher for the game:

     cdv publishes SACRED 2-Fallen Angel!
    Ascaron and the cdv Software AG move forward together.

    cdv Software Entertainment USA, a wholly-owned subsidiary of publicly-traded cdv Software Entertainment AG, today announced an agreement to publish ASCARON Entertainment’s highly anticipated Sacred 2: Fallen Angel in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

    The title is slated to launch on PC and Microsoft Xbox 360™ in the second half of 2008, timed to meet consumer demand during the 2008 holiday season...

    Source: GameBanshee

    Monday - January 28, 2008

    Sacred 2 - Concept Art @ GamersHell

    by Magerette, 18:42

     Gamershell has six new concept art shots up for Ascaron's forthcoming title in their Sacred series, Sacred 2:Fallen Angel. You can see the same shots in a slightly different perspective at the official site.

    Source: Bluesnews

    Saturday - January 19, 2008

    Sacred 2 - New Screenshots @ GamersHell

    by Magerette, 16:44

    GamersHell has added 4 new screens to their Sacred2:Fallen Angel gallery. These particular shots are a little different in subject and tone than the usual seraphim-themed variety. This one's a mounted shot of what looks like the Dark version of the Shadow Warrior on a demonic-appearing steed. You can view them all here.

    Thursday - January 17, 2008

    Sacred 2 - Orc Officer Trailer @ Gamer's Hell

    by Magerette, 18:30

    There's a new Sacred 2: Fallen Angel trailer showcasing the  Orc Clan Officer available  for download at both Ascaron's official site and Gamer's Hell. No mention is made as to whether this is an intended playable character or just another inhabitant of the game world but as there's no listing on the character page, the assumption would be the latter.

    Tuesday - January 15, 2008

    Sacred 2 - Mounts @ Official Site

    by Dhruin, 22:42

    Ascaron's official Sacred 2 site has introduced a new mounts page with info and pics of the special class mounts:

    Across Ancaria you will find many horse dealers. They offer all kinds of animals, from the simple crock up to a real war horse. You can equip a war horse with bridle, saddle and even a tabard cape. These special mount items can be typical items that you can pick-up (with attributes just like any other character item) and also as rare or unique items.

    In addition, every character also has a unique mount styled to that particular character. This riding animal not only fits to the personality of the character, but also complements the various aspects of the character's playing style perfectly.

    Wednesday - December 26, 2007

    Sacred 2 - Delayed to Sept 2008

    by Dhruin, 00:22

    In a lengthy open letter at the official site, Ascaron has announced a delay for Sacred 2 to September 2008, despite the recent PR ramp:

    12-25-2007

    Dear friends and fans of SACRED 2 – Fallen Angel

    We would have preferred to announce the delay to the release date at an earlier stage, but there are many reasons why we could only inform you of it now.

    A longer development process requires maximum performance in all areas, and a large number of people are involved in that process. In a crucial decision making phase it is impossible to communicate important news directly – we hope you understand.

    An extension of the development process was necessary in order to ensure that we realize all the development plans and ship both PC and Xbox 360 versions with the best possible quality and stability.

    A game as complex as SACRED 2 – Fallen Angel, with its many technical innovations, requires extensive testing and balancing in all areas. In certain areas of development we often had to make our way into uncharted territory when it came to implementing the new technologies which are required to make SACRED 2 – Fallen Angel the game that we set out to make. This inevitably led to situations where satisfactory realization of a vision took a bit longer than originally planned.

    So, what to do? Scrap features? No, definitely not!

    Patch with a patch as only a patch can patch? No, that's also out of the question!

    The most important thing, after all, is the game. Fortunately for everyone, we are in the enviable position where all involved parties (share holders, banks and distributors) agreed to our plans for continuing to develop SACRED 2 – Fallen Angel according to our vision and create the best action RPG possible.

    We would like to take this opportunity to express our sincere thanks to our partners for their support and belief in both Ascaron and in SACRED 2 – Fallen Angel.

    We'd like to ask our fans and friends for their understanding, and we hope that any potential disappointment is outweighed by looking forward to a superb SACRED 2 – Fallen Angel release in September 2008. Indeed, it is quite likely that many of you will have a chance to beta test the game.

    Shortly before the release we'd like to make a demo available to the public and, who knows, maybe we will have a surprise ready for the Games Convention 2008… Watch this space.

    You can rest assured that the Ascaron team is pulling out all the stops to deliver a SACRED 2 – Fallen Angel game that not only meets the high expectations, but blows those expectations clean out of the water!

    Season's greetings and a happy New Year to one and all

    The Ascaron Team

    Thursday - December 20, 2007

    Sacred 2 - Deep Silver Signs PC-Version for the German Market

    by Gorath, 13:50

    Deep Silver and Ascaron announced today that are expanding their existing Sacred 2 co-publishing agreement to include the PC version. The deal covers the the German market.

    This surprising move means a big blow for Take 2. The first Sacred sold like hot cakes.

    Monday - December 17, 2007

    Sacred 2 - Screens @ Official Site

    by Dhruin, 22:11

    Six new Sacred 2 screens are on offer at the official site.

    Sunday - December 02, 2007

    Sacred 2 - Preview @ Jolt

    by Dhruin, 07:41

    Jolt has a three-page preview of Sacred 2 after having the game demonstrated by product manager, Alan Wild:

    The story has certainly proved to be an important part of the game, as Alan continues: “The story is key. The story has to be key: without a good story a game loses a hell of a lot. If you’ve not got a good story, you’ve got a problem. The lead storywriter [for Sacred 2: Fallen Angel] is Bob Bates, who’s got a pretty impressive pedigree.”

    “He’s written the entire Sacred 2: Fallen Angel background: timeline, schedule, what happens and when, and he’s then written the main quest as well. Then we’ve got six or seven additional professional writers who are writing for each of the different characters and various different side-quests and stories. These then go back to Bob for proofing to make sure it’s all in line with the plan. It’s all written in English so it’s an English development from the very beginning which, for an international release, is incredibly important.”

     

    Sunday - November 18, 2007

    Sacred 2 - Q.& A. @ Strategy Informer

    by Magerette, 15:42

    Strategy Informer has posted an interview with Alan Wild on Ascaron's upcoming action rpg, Sacred 2: Fallen Angel, covering a lot of basics, including characters, story and riding tigers:

    Mike Bowden: Will we see any new race of playable characters or will the old characters such as Seraphim, Gladiator etc. be upgraded?

    Alan Wild: The only character who remains from the original Sacred game is the Seraphim, and rather than  “being upgraded” she has received a whole new 3D makeover, complete with new skills, aspects, animations, armour sets, and so on. She will be recognisable in style, but everything else about her is new. Alongside the Seraphim players will find 5 completely new characters, namely: Inquisitor, Shadow Warrior, High Elf, Dryad and Temple Guardian, all of whom have their own unique aspects and combat arts with which to customise and personalise your chosen character.

     

    Mike Bowden: Finally, what is your favourite new feature in the game so far and what do think needs the most work?

    Alan Wild: For me, it’s two-fold… the detailed 3D world and the realism of it is incredible. To be able to travel so freely, and for the regions to be so varied, yet so well blended together is superb. The real beauty, however, is in the quality and the detail. No one region is the same, and the smaller details contribute to the whole and give you something new and interesting at every turn.

    Then it has to be the characters and the ease of how you can really develop as suits your own style (increasing your attributes, learning news skills, and selecting and enhancing the combat arts according to personal preference). It’s great how you can take one character and develop along so many varied routes and combinations. For example, you could have multiple, vastly different Shadow Warrior characters, all with different attributes, specialising in alternate skills and weapons, and boasting different varieties of combat arts (a definite boon for multiplayer and player-character identity!).

    Plus, with each character comes a unique mount, and I love the tiger! The texturing of the fur is beautiful, and the movement, combat and idle animations are absolutely spot-on. Given the present stage of development, it’s the enemy AI which needs most work. We have various responses and actions for enemies, but some need fine-tuning and modifying is still required, and we also need to be happy that the AI accurately reflect how you would expect each enemy to act. Incidentally, have you ever tried to motion capture a tiger? Almost as difficult as the mo-cap of the dragon… ;-)

    PS. Did I mention that you can ride tigers?!

     

    Source: Shack News

    Sunday - November 11, 2007

    Sacred 2 - Preview @ Eurogamer

    by Magerette, 17:29

    Eurogamer is the next to take a look at the latest pre-release presentation of Ascaron's sequel to their well known action rpg, Sacred 2: Fallen Angel:

    The basic story is, at least, something of a departure from the usual Farm Boy Accepts His Destiny And Fights World-Threatening Evil schlock. The idea is that a divine power called T-energy has accidentally been released into the mortal world, giving its users the capacity for great technological advancement - but also causing nasty, dangerous mutations in areas where the power is tapped from underground and bubbles to the surface...

    ...There are six playable characters in the game, and interestingly, only two of them have their main storyline set out for them from the outset. There are two major quest lines that run from start to finish of the game; the Light campaign, which sees you returning the power of T-energy to the gods and removing it from the world, and the Shadow campaign, in which you harness the power to become a powerful ruler.

    Moreover, Ascaron has focused heavily on customisation. Never mind the choice of which quest to follow with your character, the choice of how to develop your character's skills is the real meat on Sacred 2's lovely bones...

    Sacred 2 goes beyond most such games by also giving you choices about how you progress individual spells and attacks. The aim is to create a game with so many combat options that it'll be rare for any two players to have the same character and play style...

    The previewer also seems  impressed with the multiplayer design:

     The game has, you see, been designed as a multiplayer game from the ground up - to the extent that when you're playing single-player, you have effectively started a Sacred 2 server on your own machine, on which you're the only player. The good news? At any point in the game, you can invite a friend to bring his character over and join you - perhaps to defeat a tough boss, or just to blast through a dungeon together. Finish up the quests, divide the loot, and your pal (or pals - this works with up to six players) can head back to his own version of the game, having gained XP, gold and loot in your world.

    This, we'd argue, is exactly what we've wanted from an action RPG for ages - a fully featured, dip-in, dip-out co-operative play mode, which takes place in a completely fleshed out game world rather than in restricted co-op specific maps. The game auto-balances to take account of your levels, much like Oblivion did (you may love or hate this - we're agnostic on that front), and also reworks the balance when you add more players to the mix, so there should always be a challenge there.

    Thursday - November 08, 2007

    Sacred 2 - Preview @ Ace Gamez

    by Dhruin, 21:25

    The Sacred 2 previews are rolling in, with the latest coming from Ace Gamez UK:

    The game world itself is huge - fifteen square kilometres of territory to explore, which is divided into twelve themed regions including desert, mountain, icy tundra and jungle, with villages and towns for the various races like the High Elves and the Medieval level humans to explore. To give you an idea of just how huge it is, running non-stop from the top left to the bottom right of the game world would take approximately six hours! Even more impressive is that the world of Ancaria is fully streamed, so you won't see a single load break or even be aware that the next sections are loading in as you approach them. This includes buildings, and I was impressed as the Seraphim was guided into a house, its roof fading away to reveal her walking straight inside to ransack it (some RPG traditions never change, I'm glad to say!) The levels are multi-tiered too, so when you're high up you might spot an area down below in the distance that you want to find your way down to and explore.

    Sacred 2 - Preview @ HEXUS

    by Magerette, 18:15

    There's a four page preview  with screenshots up at gaming site HEXUS, who give their impressions of a trip through the XBox360 and single player PC versions of Ascaron's action RPG, Sacred 2: Fallen Angel, presently still in development:

     In Sacred 2 there are six character classes and you can assume the role of either the sexy Seraphim, the Shadow Warrior, the Inquisitor, the High Elf, the Dryad or Temple Guardian as you partake in quests and missions, monster slaying , dungeon crawling and looting your way across the magical world of Ancaria...The story of Sacred 2 takes place two millennia before the events of the original Sacred, in a time where the elves are in the midst of a civil war over the battle to control a mysterious power form called T-Energy...

    ...Each character in Sacred 2 has an exclusive set of mounts. First up, we saw the Seraphim’s sabre-toothed tiger, which animated extremely smoothly and had realistic looking fur (of the furry kind). I was told that we’ll be able to train these mounts and assign them skills which may come in extremely handy for fights later on in the game.

     The article states an expected release date for the PC game in the first quarter of 2008, with the XBox version planned for six weeks later as of now.

    Source: Bluesnews

    Tuesday - November 06, 2007

    Sacred 2 - Preview @ CVG

    by Dhruin, 10:23

    Sacred 2 has been previewed at CVG in a general article that doesn't introduce anything new:

    "Steady as a truck." That's how developer Ascaron describes the Xbox 360 version of Sacred 2 - one of many German-isms that crop-up in our game presentation (including an analogy on the game's development progress using a pizza and an iceberg. Hmmm).

    Thankfully, putting the game in front of us makes it a lot more obvious what Sacred 2's all about. There are goblins, a crap-load of items and a massive, seamless world that Ascaron says will take you more than six hours to run across.

    Monday - November 05, 2007

    Sacred 2 - Support from Blind Guardian

    by Dhruin, 21:20

    Using bands as a cross-promotional tool for games seems to be on the rise to me.  Ascaron sent out this press release announcing a Sacred 2 cooperation with German fantasy metal band, Blind Guardian:

    SACRED 2 – Fallen Angel: Musical support by "Blind Guardian"

    Basingstoke, 5th November 2007 - Soon "Blind Guardian" fans can admire their heroes as computer game characters! As part of a unique cooperation with ASCARON Entertainment, one of the leading German developers of entertainment software, the fantasy metal rockers will have a guest appearance in the long-awaited PC and Xbox 360 title SACRED 2 – Fallen Angel. To provide a fitting soundtrack for this virtual event, "Blind Guardian" will record a special song for the game, which will be released as a separate single next year. In addition, the video clip to be produced for the new song will feature sequences taken straight from SACRED 2 – Fallen Angel.

    And the Sacred world of Ancaria will also tremble with the band's rocking tunes. By solving a quest in the game, players can unlock a bonus event, in which the motion-captured Blind Guardians perform their new song "live".

    SACRED 2 - Fallen Angel is the long-awaited sequel to the internationally most successful German action RPG of all time. Game fans can look forward to an all-new epic game with many new features and expansions of the popular concept. In SACRED 2 – Fallen Angel players discover and explore a vast, highly detailed world with breathtaking graphics – for the first time in full 3D. SACRED 2 - Fallen Angel captivates players with its gripping story, which they can experience in two entirely different ways (light and shadow campaign).

    For more than 20 years, "Blind Guardian" have been a force to be reckoned with in the German rock scene. Many fans consider the critically acclaimed new album "A twist in the Myth" the Krefeld-based band's best to date.

    "We are very proud of the cooperation with 'Blind Guardian' and look forward to providing the band with a virtual stage in our game. For many years I've been a big fan of the band, and I'm sure the new SACRED 2 – Fallen Angel-themed single will be a hit with fans too", says Holger Flöttmann of ASCARON.

    "To us, SACRED 2 - Fallen Angel is a dream come true, because, like all the other fantasy computer game maniacs, we had to wait a very long time for the sequel to the legendary SACRED. Thanks to its complex fantasy world and detailed characters, SACRED has become one of our absolute favorites, and we also loved both its storyboard and the tie-in novels. It's just awesome to become part of that SACRED world now. Music, story and images will merge to a perfect whole", adds "Blind Guardian" singer Hansi Kürsch.

    Nuclear Blast's York Eysel also enthuses about "this one of a kind cooperation between our band "Blind Guardian", symphonic fantasy metal's biggest band, and the extraordinary action RPG SACRED 2 – Fallen Angel. We can't think of a better way to combine the worlds of music and computer games."

    This cooperation marks another important step towards joining two worlds, which without a doubt belong together!

    More infos on the game, the band and Nuclear Blast:
    www.sacred2.com
    www.blind-guardian.com
    www.nuclearblast.de

    Thursday - November 01, 2007

    Sacred 2 - Hands On Preview @ IGN

    by Magerette, 19:02

    IGN has posted their impressions of an early look at a multiplayer model of Sacred 2:Fallen Angel, Ascaron's sequel to their popular action rpg, Sacred :

     Drop everything and pay attention: in Sacred 2: Fallen Angel you can ride giant tigers...

    ...So, without further ado, let's talk about not riding giant tigers - because you can only do that in the single-player game, which we weren't allowed to have a go at.

    Yes, during our brief hands-on with the game, we didn't get to straddle any big cats. We did, however, sample the game's four-player battle mode, offering a taste of how the combat works in Sacred 2. In multiplayer, each player begins by choosing one of four different characters - Dryad, Shadow Warrior, High Elf and Seraphim. We tried playing as all four and, to be honest, the only significant differences appeared to be cosmetic. For instance, the Shadow Warrior is a brutish bloke with heavy armour while the Dryad is a female warrior dressed a bit like a Native American...

    ...Anyway, having picked characters, all four players are transported to a randomly selected battle area. We played across both a lush green forest area and desert setting, replete with canyons and dried-up river beds. Once there, players have five minutes to kill as many enemies as possible. You see, the aim of battle mode is to build up your character's strength - by bashing monsters - before heading to a gladiator-style arena and taking on your fellow players in a fight to the death. If you've killed lots of foes, you can improve your abilities (including a magic fireball) and collect better weapons, which all help in the PvP scrap...

    ...In all frankness, we've played more thrilling things in our time and would have much preferred the opportunity to tackle Sacred 2's single-player mode - if only to ride that giant tiger. However, Sacred 2 could still shape up to be an interesting addition to [the] glut of RPGs available on PC and we're eager for some extended hands-on time with the main adventure.

    Thursday - October 18, 2007

    Sacred 2 - Screens @ Official Site

    by Dhruin, 23:18

    Four new screens today at the Sacred 2 site.

    Monday - October 15, 2007

    Sacred 2 - Screenshots @ Official Site

    by Dhruin, 22:57

    You can grab two new Sacred 2 screens at the official site.

    Sunday - October 14, 2007

    Sacred 2 - Shadow Warrior Update @ Official Site

    by Magerette, 02:54

    The official site for Ascaron's  Sacred2:Fallen Angel, the sequel currently in development to their popular action rpg Sacred, has added a little media to the character profile of the undead Shadow Warrior class with a 360 degree rotating 3D view. The Shadow Warrior joins the ever popular Seraphim in the characters described so far. Here's a bit of his backstory:

    The Shadow Warrior used to be a Human elite guard and he fought bravely for his sovereign during the numerous battles of the High Elven empire. His strength in battle made him a living nightmare dreaded by his enemies. Thus, he was his warlord's ultimate weapon. His strength, discipline and obedience were second to none.
    However, inevitably the day will dawn, when even the best of warriors will meet his honorable end on the battlefield. The Gods called upon the elite guard's soul and brought it to the golden halls of fame where he would eternally rule as a mighty warlord.
    Yet his High Elf General had different plans for him...Elven High Priests performed an ancient ritual in order to raise him from the dead ...Alas, the warrior's will was unrelenting and he defied the priests. The ritual failed!The Human elite fighter became the Shadow Warrior - an undead being with a sharp mind. Raging that he had been torn from paradise he killed all those present at the ceremony and escaped.

    Thursday - October 04, 2007

    Sacred 2 - Screens @ Official Site

    by Dhruin, 22:09

    Three new Sacred 2 screens are up at the official site.

    Tuesday - October 02, 2007

    Sacred 2 - Seraphim Trailer @ GamersHell

    by Magerette, 20:56

    GamersHell has a short (minute and a half) trailer showing a little in-game footage of the seraphim character model from Ascaron's upcoming action RPG, Sacred2. You can stream or download the video here.

    The official site also has quite a few media clips, including some short scene downloads of combat and special moves.

    Friday - September 28, 2007

    Sacred 2 - Latest Concept Art & Wallpaper @ Official Site

    by Magerette, 19:40

    There's a bit of new media up at the official website for Ascaron's upcoming action rpg, Sacred2:Fallen Angel. The wallpaper features two versions of the Shadow Knight character model. There have also been some concept art and screenshot updates.

    Source: GameBanshee

    Sunday - September 23, 2007

    Sacred 2 - Developer Diary @ Jolt

    by Magerette, 20:11

    Jolt  has a detailed entry from Ascaron's Sacred 2 developer David Balster about the quest creation mechanic:

    At Studio II we use our custom-made quest editor for implementing stories and quests in Sacred 2. In any game a quest basically consists of the following components: characters, items and interdependencies. You could very well program them using a scripting language, but it's a lot easier to just select all elements with your mouse. You still may use the scripting language for all the other stuff, but usually that's no longer necessary....

    ...How and when a character appears in the world is up to the author - they may build up their story's tension as they please. If a character may die before its quest is completed or not is also the designer's choice. The question whether the story still makes sense or not is not that much of a problem at that point: a special test tool checks the course of the story automatically and issues a warning, if the author has entered logical traps or paradoxes...

     

    Friday - September 21, 2007

    Sacred 2 - GC Arena Video

    by Dhruin, 23:33

    You may recall the recent Leipzig GC event had a large arena with lots of machines playing Sacred 2 multiplayer for visitors to try out - the official site has a video of the action.

    Thursday - September 20, 2007

    Sacred 2 - Music Player @ Official Site

    by Dhruin, 23:17

    From Ascaron's Sacred 2 site:

    Tune in to the atmospheric audio of Sacred 2! Launch the Sacred Music Player and enjoy the Sound of Ancaria while you browse the net.

    The Music Player streams tracks sampled in 128kBit MP3 format (in-game tracks will be longer and in higher quality, using 5.1 OGG Vorbis)

    Wednesday - September 19, 2007

    Sacred 2 - Screenshot @ Official Site

    by Dhruin, 23:37

    A single Shadow Warrior screen from Sacred 2 is available at the official site.

    Monday - September 17, 2007

    Sacred 2 - Screens @ Official Site

    by Dhruin, 23:42

    Ascaron has kickd up five new Sacred 2 screens at their site.

    Friday - September 14, 2007

    Sacred 2 - Hands On @ Action Trip

    by Magerette, 22:59

    Action Trip has a hands on feature up on Sacred 2: Fallen Angel, Ascarons's sequel to their popular fantasy action rpg. The writer got to play in a LAN multi-player session at GC 2007 in PvP mode:

    All the attendees were given a number and a PC to play the multiplayer mode for about 10-15 minutes.

    Before the game began, I was able to choose from four different character classes: High Elf, Shadow Warrior, Dryad and Seraphim. The full version of Sacred 2: Fallen Angel will feature two more classes; namely the Inquisitor and Temple Guardian.

    One of the most commendable points of this particular multiplayer mode was the simplicity of the overall design and being able to enter a match quite easily without bothering too much with unnecessary options. Also, the basic principles of play are straightforward to ensure that each player gets into the spirit of the game quickly, without being confused or overburdened by an intricate combat system.

     

    Monday - August 27, 2007

    Sacred 2 - Media #2 @ RPG Vault

    by Dhruin, 23:56

    We actually missed this one last Friday (the joys of a system reload)...RPG Vault has a handful of new screens for Sacred 2 in their latest Media feature.

    In current news, head to the official site to see a bunch of images from their GC arena, mostly consisting on motley visitors and Seraphim booth babes.

    Tuesday - August 21, 2007

    Sacred 2 - Deep Silver Signs, New Trailer

    by Dhruin, 00:06

    Just in time for GC, Deep Silver and Ascaron have announced an agreement for Sacred 2:

    Basingstoke, 17th August - Ascaron and Deep Silver, Koch Media's game label, today announce their signing of an agreement for the action RPG Sacred 2 – Fallen Angel. Sacred 2 – Fallen Angel is being developed for PC and is planned for the Xbox 360™ video game and entertainment system from Microsoft®. The agreement includes the rights for the PAL and SECAM countries (with the exception of the PC version in Germany, Austria, the German-speaking part of Switzerland and the Commonwealth of Independent States).

    "Sacred has developed into an international top seller and one of the strongest names in the action RPG segment. We are therefore particularly proud to be able to publish this title with Ascaron. Sacred 2 is already receiving much praise in the special interest press and will be able to set new standards on the console too", says Dr. Klemens Kundratitz, CEO of Koch Media. "We are happy to be able to present this title to the public at our stand at the Games Convention."

    ...and you can grab a new GC trailer for Sacred 2 from RPG Vault (thanks, Magerette!).

    Thursday - August 16, 2007

    Sacred 2 - Dev Diaries @ RPGDot

    by Dhruin, 01:19

    RPGDot has posted another two Sacred 2 dev diaries.  Here's a sample:

    People say game developers work in windowless rooms, have no social contacts to speak of, and know women only from hearsay. Every single one of them bridges the 4 inch distance to the screen with 2 inch bifocals - thanks to good ol' Franklin.

    With that tool developers may not only glance efficiently from screen to pulp to computer mags, oh no, their hands have to leave the keyboard only to push a piece of pizza into the gaping hole in their face.

    This efficiency is incredibly important, because it's a well known fact that everybody involved in the production of a game is a programmer.

    The game designers program the game's story. The graphic artists program the graphics. The programmers write green code, which runs down on the screen, and even the marketing department programs ads for games mags, movie theatres and TV like mad.

    Entering the industry, however, I realized that some rather unimportant details of this image don't exactly match reality.

    Diary #2 and Diary #3.

    Wednesday - August 08, 2007

    Sacred 2 - Preview @ Gry.o2.pl

    by Dhruin, 09:27

    Polish site Gry.o2.pl has been busy lately and they have another interview - this time for Sacred 2 with Ascaron's Alan Wild:

    Klecha (Gry.o2.pl): What kinds of characters and professions will be available in Sacred 2: Fallen Angel? What sort of skills will each character have?

    Alan Wild (Ascaron Entertainment): As in the original release, Sacred 2 will offer a choice of six characters. Our characters are designed to bring something new to the genre. Our choice of characters is just one reflection of how Sacred stands out in a crowd. We know that the characters are a key element of any RPG title. Players need to feel attached to their chosen character. We want to give every character something special. Even characters that fit classic gameplay styles (at first glance) have some unexpected but very cool aspects or abilities.

    In Sacred we differ in Attributes, Skills and Combat Arts. Attributes are values that define the physical appearance and basic conditions of a character (for example, Strength). The Skills are passive abilities the character can learn in Ancaria. Sword fighting is one out of nearly 30 that a character can learn. Both Attributes and Skills can be upgraded with each level up. The Combat Arts are the active combat moves, buffs and spells which the character can use during a fight. Each character can make their selection from 18 unique Combat Arts. 

    Sacred 2 - Preview @ GameSpot

    by Dhruin, 00:51

    GameSpot had a first-hand look at Sacred 2, returning to decribe the experience in this preview:

    The demo we saw revealed some of the different regions in the game, including the cities that Ascaron has modelled on historic European municipalities. Make no mistake: Sacred 2's gameworld is immense, with townships and settlers linked by vast expanses of jungle and desert area. Lying underneath this huge area of topsoil is an equally vast network of dungeons, which combine to practically double the size of what you can see aboveground. Naturally, building this environment has taken a considerable amount of time for the team, who have gone so far as to hand-design every last patch of grass.

    Wednesday - August 01, 2007

    Sacred 2 - Dev Diary @ RPGDot

    by Dhruin, 06:04

    RPGDot has a short dev diary on Sacred 2.  Here's the intro, which sets the subject:

    Hello everybody. My name is Nadim Affani and I'm working as a level designer on Sacred 2. Today I'm going to tell you about my job. If you're really lucky, behave really well and read carefully, you might just find a hidden hint. More on that next time.

    My job on Sacred 2 is to furnish every single building in the game world. That means that I arrange several objects to make them look as believable as possible.

    Friday - July 27, 2007

    Sacred 2 - Character Classes Press Release

    by Dhruin, 23:57

    Ascaron sent out the following press release on character classes for Sacred 2, possibly to give the PR guys something to do.  It names the six classes, although we still know nothing about most of them.  Here you go:

    SACRED 2 – Fallen Angel is the highly anticipated sequel to SACRED; one of the most successful action RPGs ever created.

    In SACRED 2 – Fallen Angel the player assumes the role of a character and delves into a thrilling story packed full of quests and secrets to be unravelled. Breathtaking combat arts and sophisticated spells are waiting to be mastered. A multitude of weapons and items will be available, with a variety of bonuses allowing players to enhance their character and create a unique and distinct hero.

    The six characters that the player can choose from are Dryad, Seraphim, High Elf, Inquisitor, Temple Guardian and Shadow Warrior.

    Of the two available campaigns (Light and Shadow), the Seraphim follows the path of peace, while the Inquisitor is destined to journey in the shadows. Dryad, High Elf, Temple Guardian and Shadow Warrior may become either heroes who strive to prevent the world lapsing into final chaos, or villains who spread the chaos for their own benefit.

    All the characters have access to different mounts. These mounts provide a new approach to adventuring and combat. In addition to using combat arts and spellcasting while mounted, each of the mounts is devastating in its own right.

    The Seraphim, or Fallen Angels, are mystical, angelic creatures; the oldest inhabitants of Ancaria. Fast and elegant, the most striking feature of the Seraphim is her wings, which serve as a deadly weapon but also as protective armour. In SACRED 2 – Fallen Angel the player can assume the role of the Seraphim and protect the world from chaos. The Seraphim unique mount is the tiger; a fast and powerful creature.

    The Shadow Warrior is a mighty force in battle! Enslaved and trained by the High Elves, he excels at melee fighting. They turned him into an elite warrior to follow only one burning ambition: victory in battle! He died on the battlefield but was brought back to life from his eternal slumber. Now, he travels between the realm of the dead and the world of the living. Torn between good and evil the player can take on the role of a Shadow Warrior and fight for the peace and liberation of Ancaria or pursue the dark path in order to reach the ultimate power. The Shadow Warrior rides the hellhound, a fierce mount making the Shadow Warrior a formidable opponent.

    Further details about the ancient Seraphim, the fearsome Shadow Warrior and the remaining four characters will be unveiled in the coming months leading up to the release of SACRED 2 – Fallen Angel in Q1 2008.

    Sacred 2 - Interview @ GameBanshee

    by Dhruin, 00:55

    Ascaron Creative Director Hans-Arno Wegner talks to GameBanshee in this interview on Sacred 2:

    GB: What were your primary design goals with Sacred 2: Fallen Angel? What areas of the original game did you feel needed to be improved or expanded upon in the sequel?

    Hans: We want to create an even more beautiful and living world. This was the reason why we changed to a full 3D engine with full physics support in order to create the atmosphere we want to have for the title. We wanted the world to be authentic and elaborate and feature intricate details. We have had a lot of ideas from working with the original Sacred and Sacred Underworld that we want to realize in the sequel. There were definitely some areas we wanted to improve. One of these points had been fighting from the mounts, which we improved greatly. In fact, we made several improvements. We optimized the whole battle system and the character development, and we improved the enemy and NPC AI.

    Monday - July 23, 2007

    Sacred 2 - Interview @ Killer Betties

    by Dhruin, 23:46

    Sacred 2 project lead has been interviewed at Killer Betties.  Here's a sample:

    SACRED 2 will also have a dual-running storyline, where players will be able to partake of the "Light" side of things or the "Shadow" side of things. What difference will the moral scale of the player have on the game, story, and what types of quests and goals they'll have, that the other side of the moral scale won't?

    Both paths will have a set of side-quests especially designed for them with special awards and special twists. On the path of shadow, you will encounter quests that you can’t solve without a certain "evil" attitude. There is an entire set of morals behind both aspects, which -- when taken as a whole -– make perfect sense. Sadly, that’s too deep into the main storyline to describe here.

    Of course, both paths will shape the course of the world. The NPCs will respond to you according to your attitude, either with a mixture of respect/admiration or respect/fear.

    Source: GameBanshee

    Saturday - July 21, 2007

    Sacred 2 - Screens @ Worthplaying

    by Dhruin, 01:26

    Head to Worthplaying for 13 new Sacred 2 screens.

    Thursday - July 05, 2007

    Sacred 2 - Preview @ Eurogamer

    by Dhruin, 23:49

    Eurogamer has previewed Sacred 2, saying the original was a good Diablo clone but didn't set the world on fire (they must have missed the near 2M sales).  Here's a snip:

    What's more, it's not just the graphics which are now 3D; the game itself acknowledges the third dimension, with rough multi-levelled terrain, buildings with multiple floors and dungeons that extend deep beneath the earth. Everything streams absolutely seamlessly, with no load delays at any point in the world; enter a building, and the roof simply becomes transparent so you can move around inside. Walk down a pit into a dungeon, and the game simply peels away the floors of the dungeon like layers of an onion, without ever pausing to load.

    Friday - June 29, 2007

    Sacred 2 - Trailer @ Worthplaying

    by Dhruin, 23:57

    Worthplaying has a new Sacred 2 trailer on offer (6Mb).

    Sacred 2 - Try Multiplayer at the GC

    by Gorath, 03:07

    A PR about the Sacred 2 presence at this year´s Games Convention in Leipzig can be found hidden in the depth of the German Sacred 2 forum. We´ll post more than the following quite solid fan translation found in the English forum when Ascaron considers the news important enough to officially inform their international fan base. ;)

    Potsdam, 27. June 2007 Ascaron, one of the leading German publishers and producers of game software has announced their cooperation with the German ESWC on this year's Games Convention. Visitors will have the exclusive opportunity to try out the Action-RPG hit Sacred 2 - Fallen Angel and take it up against each other in Multiplayer fights.

    SACRED 2 – Fallen Angel will present an exclusive area of approximately 130 m² gaming arena that will be integrated in the booth of ESWC Germany. This is where game fans will have the opportunity to try out a multiplayer part that was especially developed for the exhibition and compete against other visitors.

    Up to 16 players can play in one tournament simultaneously. Thanks to a highscore ranking the hourly and daily scores as well as the total scores of the Games Convention can be arranged. All interested gamers can subscribe for a slot in advance at the end of July.

    Together with ESWC Germany and the organizer Top Ideas we have found a solid partner for this year's Game convention. SACRED 2 – Fallen Angel will play an important role for the eSport community because the "Electronic Sports World Cup" is one of the biggest revelations in years for eSport-Fans. We are therefor very happy that we can share a booth together.“, comments Heiko tom Felde, Director of Publishing of ASCARON Entertainment GmbH.

    „SACRED 2 – Fallen Angel will definitely take an important place in the eSport community. The interest for the exceptional Action-RPG among eSport fans is already gigantic. All the more it brings us joy to  exclusively present this title to our visitors.“, says Nescho Topalov, Managing Director of Top Ideas Marketing & Events GmbH.

    The Games Convention takes place in Leipzig [,Germany; ed.] from the 22nd to the 26th of August 2007.

    The text was slightly edited, the last two paragraphs heavily. 

    Thursday - June 28, 2007

    Sacred 2 - Hands-On @ Pro-G

    by Dhruin, 23:41

    Some hands-on impressions of Sacred 2 are available via Pro-G.  Here's an excerpt on the binary campaign:

    What this means for the player is that there are a number of options available in choosing which side to take, and which character to play through the game with. The scantily dressed Seraphim, who gives the game its subtitle and returns from the first Sacred release, is best described as the series' Lara Croft. In choosing her, you embark on the game's Light Campaign, which sees you battling for good. Decide on playing as the Inquisitor, and you can only play the 'Dark Campaign'.

    Wednesday - June 27, 2007

    Sacred 2 - Delayed. Really!

    by Gorath, 01:09

    In the Gamespot interview we posted yesterday Sacred 2 producer Christian Grunwald talked about a Q1/08 release, simultaneously on PC and XBox 360. We didn´t mention it explicitly because it was clear for us that he was only confirming the well known international release date. A gazillion German web sites thought he meant the German date, which had been set for Q4/07, and so rumors started to float.

    Today Ascaron´s PR manager Torsten Meier clarified the situation in the official Sacred 2 forum. The German versions will indeed be delayed until Q1/08, but not due to bug plague. Ascaron needs more time to implement all planned "genre expanding features" in the desired quality.
    Meier also let the community know a PR with an announcement regarding Sacred 2´s appearance at the Games Convention in August will be made soon. I wonder if it will include more than the already known info that the MP part will be unveiled. 

    Monday - June 25, 2007

    Sacred 2 - Interview @ GameSpot UK

    by Dhruin, 00:15

    Ascaron's Christian Grunwalk has spoken to GameSpot UK about Sacred 2:

    GSUK: Was it a challenge to create such a large world in 3D, and will people with low-spec PCs still be able to enjoy the game?

    CG: Yes, it was definitely a challenge, but we knew that was what we wanted to do, and we knew that Sacred 2 simply had to be in full 3D. We did consider licensing a game engine, but none of those we tested (including some well known engines) satisfied the requirements for Sacred 2. As such, it was necessary to create our own engine, which is what we have done. One of the exciting things about Sacred 2 is the freedom you and your character will enjoy throughout the game.

    As you suggest, the flip side of a completely 3D world is the demand on the PC running it. With Sacred having a massive userbase across hardcore and casual audiences, the optimisation process was given a high priority to ensure we deliver a beautifully presented title with huge gameplay rewards that will run happily on low-end systems.

    Wednesday - June 06, 2007

    Sacred 2 - Community Wallpaper Contest

    by Dhruin, 00:16

    Ascaron has kicked off a Sacred 2 Worldwide Community Wallpaper Contest:

     In co-operation with www.ciSACRED.com, the official SACRED 2 fan site, we would like to announce the Worldwide Community Wallpaper Contest! Entries for this contest will be accepted from June 5 – 30 on www.ciSACRED.com, or here on the official forum. To enter, simply post your wallpaper creation to one of the designated threads this month. Entries will be reviewed by a panel of Ascaron staff-members July 1-3, and a set of entries will be selected to move on to the final judging process. The final judging will be done by you, the community! Finalist entries will be posted on the official homepage and voting will run from July 4 – 12, 2007. Simply visit www.Sacred2.com and cast your vote for your favorite!

    Hit the link for prize details and so on.

    Friday - June 01, 2007

    Sacred 2 - Screens @ Worthplaying

    by Dhruin, 00:00

    A new batch of Sacred 2 screens can be found at Worthplaying.

    Thursday - May 17, 2007

    Sacred 2 - New Forum Launched

    by Dhruin, 12:45

    We received a press release announcing a forum for Sacred 2:

    Birmingham, 15th May 2007 – The official SACRED 2 – Fallen Angel international forum launches today on www.sacred2.com.

    Sporting an all new look and feel, the international forum provides SACRED and fantasy fans a chance to chat about the upcoming RPG blockbuster.

    The official SACRED 2 – Fallen Angel forum allows visitors to select from four different styles: Light, Shadow, Underworld and Classic. The styles are a reflection of the Light and Shadow campaigns from within the game.

    The forum gives SACRED fans the perfect communication platform in a community of like-minded gamers.

    Community members will be greeted by the new forum design from 15hr00 GMT today. There is certain to be an increased buzz when members stop by to check out the latest musings and game information for SACRED 2 – Fallen Angel.

    Visit the official homepage at www.sacred2.com.

    Thursday - May 10, 2007

    Sacred 2 - Official Blog @ 1Up

    by Dhruin, 22:20

    Ascaron has kicked up an official blog for Sacred 2 at 1Up:

    Hi, my name is Daniel Balster, and I'm part of the Sacred 2 - Fallen Angel team. Among other things, I'm in charge of coding the quest system. Before moving to Aachen to join Studio II, I was based in G??tersloh for seven years. I've been coding for computers and video game consoles for more than twenty years now - I think I'm getting old... :-)

    Sacred 2's deep story with its many quests required a new and innovative approach, because, usually, every single mission is coded individually. So we developed a quest editor, enabling several people to work with the same database simultaneously. Thanks to the editor level designers may place characters and items on the map, enter dialogues in several languages, define mission parameters and link quests with each other. And since you just click stuff with your mouse and don't code anything, you can't make any coding errors...

     

    Tuesday - May 08, 2007

    Sacred 2 - New Wallpaper @ Official Site

    by Dhruin, 23:18

    If you're not sick of Sacred 2's Seraphim, head to the official site to grab a new desktop wallpaper.

    Wednesday - May 02, 2007

    Sacred 2 - Preview @ Games Radar

    by Dhruin, 23:06

    Games Radar has a preview of Sacred 2 with some input from Ascaron's Alan Wild:

    We’ve gone years without a successor to Diablo II - perhaps the MMO-boom put a dampener on the need to wander through caves with swords of increasing girth, facing monsters of increasing size and fangs. Whatever, in the run up to what could be the announcement of Diablo III; prime examples of hackage and slashery are oozing out of the fantastical woodwork and sitting obstinately on the horizon. Their names are legion, and chief among them in probable worth and certainly graphical goodness is Sacred 2: Fallen Angel.

    “I’m not sure that action-RPGs have ever really been away,” counters Alan Wild of Ascaron. “There have been a number of releases over the years, and plenty of contenders have tried (and failed) to come close to reaching the rewards of a certain benchmark title for many years now…”

    Tuesday - May 01, 2007

    Sacred 2 - Preview @ CVG

    by Dhruin, 23:50

    CVG has a generic preview of Sacred 2 that could almost apply to any hack'n'slash action/RPG:

     As your chosen warrior, you'll then stride across the map following quests, over scripted hill and through randomly generated dungeon in traditional style. Alongside your character's own background and motives, there'll also be the equivalent of a morality-driven swanee-whistle quavering in pitch backstage - if you do bad stuff then evil quests will open themselves up to you, and vice versa if you wear a permanent halo.

    Wednesday - April 25, 2007

    Sacred 2 - Music Samples @ Official Site

    by Dhruin, 23:36

    Ascaron is offering a streaming sample of Sacred 2's music:

    Tune in to the atmospheric audio of Sacred 2!
    Launch the Sacred Music Player and enjoy the
    Sound of Ancaria while you browse the net.

    The Music Player streams tracks sampled in
    128kBit MP3 format (in-game tracks will be
    longer and in higher quality, using 5.1 OGG Vorbis)

    Saturday - April 07, 2007

    Sacred 2 - Interview @ GameSpy

    by Dhruin, 14:43

    Ascaron's Hans-Arlo Wegner has been interviewed at GameSpy about Sacred 2:

    GameSpy: One of the most interesting aspects of the game appears to be the level of character and class customization. In the first game, gender and abilities were set at character selection. Can you tell us about this and why you made the change?

    Wegner: Sacred 2 is set within a very deep world. All of our characters have to be integrated into the story of Ancaria and have their own background story and motivation. Still, we believe players identify with personally developed characters similar to those in paper and pencil RPGs. In those games you are not somebody who is capable of doing everything, but you choose your character at the beginning and you outfit this character with specific abilities you want to use.

    Each character has three aspects that represent three unique types of gameplay. The player is able to concentrate on one aspect, or combine two or even all three. With the combinations, new unique playing styles can be developed. Every single combat art can be modified individually by the player. This will change the attributes of combat so that the player is able to customize and optimize his or her personal playing style.

    Sacred 2 - Trailer @ Worthplaying

    by Dhruin, 14:38

    A new Sacred 2 trailer is on offer at Worthplaying (20Mb).

    Wednesday - April 04, 2007

    Sacred 2 - Screenshots @ Worthplaying

    by Dhruin, 01:11

    Half a dozen screens from Sacred 2 are on offer at Worthplaying.

    Saturday - March 31, 2007

    Sacred 2 - Screenshot @ Official Site

    by Dhruin, 00:55

    A single new screen showing the Shadow Warrior is now up at the Sacred 2 site.

    Wednesday - March 28, 2007

    Sacred 2 - Shadow Warrior @ Official Site

    by Dhruin, 23:07

    Those tired of seeing Sacred 2's Seraphim character can rejoice because Ascaron has shifted focus to the Shadow Warrior, changing the entire look of the official site.  Presumably this means each character type will be progressively rolled out over time - here's the announcement:

    The Shadows are gathering! The official website for Sacred 2 - Fallen Angel reveals its dark side. On March, 28th at noon, the virtual gate to Ancaria will unveil its sinister Shadow Warrior look.

    The website www.sacred2.com has been completely revamped. Access a variety of regularly updated contents about Sacred 2. Be sure to visit frequently and catch up on the latest news. Soon, you will also be able to subscribe to our Sacred 2 RSS-feed, which will be implemented shortly.

    These are the latest additions:

    + new, red style depicting the shadow campaign
    + new Flash header showing the Shadow Warrior and a new background
    + 6 screenshots of the Shadow Warrior
    + new movement animations of the Shadow Warrior
    + 360 degree shot with Enforcer armor and two-handed battle-axe
    + new information about the Shadow Warrior

    ...and check out the Shadow Warrior page.

    Sacred 2 - Xbox 360 Preview @ Shacknews

    by Dhruin, 00:58

    Shack has a Sacred 2 preview-cum-interview that concentrates entirely on porting to the Xbox 360:

    While Ascaron has not yet finalized a publishing situation for Sacred 2 on Xbox 360, the company is pursuing development full steam. Heiko stated that the studio is looking to bring the game up to graphical speed with its PC counterpart, with some areas "even better because of the capabilities that the 360 offers." Indeed, the game seems to be shaping up to deliver visuals on par with the PC version. The framerate saw frequent periods of light choppiness; as the game is still fairly early on in the development process, Ascaron should have plenty of time to bring it up to speed.

    Friday - March 23, 2007

    Sacred 2 - Preview @ RPGamer

    by Dhruin, 21:31

    The latest Sacred 2 GDC preview comes from RPGamer and here's an excerpt, with the Seraphim again the focus:

    Ascaron started off by showing us the Seraphim class. She was decked out in 20 pieces of armor, and was hand animated. Ascaron has chosen not to do motion capture for its animations due to their preference of the look and feel of hand animation. They also claim difficulty in finding accurate models for hellhounds and dragons.

    As the Seraphim began to journey out into the world, a few things became apparent. The first was the real physics being used to model objects in the world. The second was how enemies could completely hide in grass, making an ambush very possible if the camera was overhead. Finally, the camera was switchable between over-the-shoulder and overhead modes.

    Thursday - March 22, 2007

    Sacred 2 - GDC Articles

    by Dhruin, 00:18

    Digital Entertainment News has a general preview of Sacred 2 based on a viewing at GDC:

    Aside from the varying skill trees, each character type will have their own type of mount that can be used. Mounts are not going to be primarily used for transportation (though there will be some of that) instead the use will be mostly for combat. The idea will be that players can get on their mount and wade through a large wave of enemies. Don’t only look for just horses, I was shown a couple of creatures, including a rather large tiger-like creature.

    Meanwhile, GameTrailers has a video interview from GDC with Ascaron's Director of Publishing, Heiko tom Felde.

    Tuesday - March 13, 2007

    Sacred 2 - Xbox 360 Preview @ Gameshark

    by Dhruin, 22:13

    A GDC preview of Sacred 2 for the Xbox 360 can be found at Gameshark.  It mostly covers general material that would equally apply to the PC version - here's a bit in the classes that will appear in the sequel:

    Along with choosing a campaign, you’ll select from six different customizable characters. The seraphim returns from the original game, joined by the inquisitor, shadow warrior, high elf, dryad, and temple guardian. Each character possesses unique attributes, skill sets, and special abilities. For example, the seraphim is a master of armed combat and light magic, whereas the dryad specializes in dark voodoo magic and ranged attacks. Once you’ve chosen a character, you can tailor its appearance by tweaking a few simple options. Even if you’re limited to choosing from pre-set characters, the differences among the six are distinct and the ability to modify their appearance adds to the variety.

    Monday - March 12, 2007

    Sacred 2 - Differences between PC and XBox360 versions

    by Gorath, 22:01

    German print mag Gamestar summarized the new infos on Sacred 2 revealed on Giga TV last Wednesday.

    • The PC version will have a typically complex interface. No dumbed down console controls.
    • Ascaron will modify the interface to fit to the XBox360 controller.
    • Additional MP-modes on the 360: arena fights PvP & PvC.
    • The 360 version may have slightly better graphic effects due to more CPU cores.
     

    Source: Gamestar

    Sacred 2 - Interview #2 @ RPG Vault

    by Dhruin, 21:47

    An ISP outage will restrict my updates over the next 24 hours but it looks like a quiet news day, anyway.

    RPG Vault's Jonric has posted the second part of their Sacred 2 interview with Ascaron's Hans-Arno Wegner.  The discussion covers general issues and unfortunately, nothing is revealed of the changed character classes so the Seraphim remains the example de jour.  Here's a bit on combat:

    Jonric: Since combat is a central element of Sacred 2: Fallen Angel, what type of system and experience can we expect? What are the key features? Will the player ever control more than one character?

    Hans-Arno Wegner:
    Sacred 2 is an action RPG and therefore combat is at the very centre of the game. The player will spend a lot of time fighting against mobs to level, get better items and so on. This leads to the point where combat needs to be simple, but also interesting and challenging.

    Sacred 2 puts the player right in the centre of the gameplay. The fighting will be fast, but against substantial enemies, and it will also be tactical. You can prepare several weapons and spells to be ready for use, enabling you to switch your attacks rapidly according to the situation. If you'd like to use a special combination of Combat Arts, you can feel free to build a combo, which allows you to execute your desired sequence with a single mouse click.

    There will be mercenaries that fight beside the hero if you so wish. We have not only the single-player action in mind, but also multiplayer team play. A lot of Combat Art effects can encompass other party members. Some characters can be optimized especially for gaming in a party. There are many combinations for players to consider and try out while deciding how to build an effective tactical group.

    Saturday - March 10, 2007

    Sacred 2 - GDC Preview @ GameSpot

    by Dhruin, 10:28

    GameSpot has a good preview of Sacred 2 from GDC.  Here's a clip on a nice feature but head over to read about differences between the Xbox 360 and PC version that might disappoint some readers:

    There's are a lot of promising features in the game. Randomly generated NPC behavior is one example, so if you play the game multiple times, you won't get the exact same reactions from the characters twice. Also, each class has its own exotic animal mount, ranging from a tiger to a flying dragon. There will be multiplayer support with cooperative play throughout the campaign, as well as player-versus-player gameplay. Then there's a dynamic weather system, along with time-of-day effects, and more.

    Thursday - March 08, 2007

    Sacred 2 - Wallpapers @ Official Site

    by Dhruin, 20:42

    Ascaron has some new Sacred 2 wallpapers available at the official site.

    Tuesday - March 06, 2007

    Sacred 2 - Heading to Xbox 360

    by Dhruin, 23:01

    Worthplaying has news from GDC that Ascaron has announced an Xbox 360 version of Sacred 2 (the link includes three new screens).

    Sacred 2 - Interview #1 @ RPG Vault

    by Dhruin, 21:43

    Creative Director at Ascaron Hans-Arno Warner chats with RPG Vault in the first part of an interview on Sacred 2.  The conversation confirms sales of Sacred (plus expansions) of 1.8M copies and goes on to discuss the upcoming sequel - let's take an early clip:

    Jonric: What do you regard as the primary strengths that enabled Sacred to differentiate itself and to achieve this impressive level of sales?

     Hans-Arno Wegner: One important attribute of Sacred is the seamless world that allows the player to move freely. The player does not have to follow a fixed path, but can explore realms full of hidden mysteries. This adds a lot of atmosphere and freedom of play to the game. Ancaria itself is huge and full of beautiful details.

    Another strength of Sacred is the strong and appealing characters. Our wide variety of exciting and truly unique characters makes it fun to play right from the start. Our character development system gives the player perfect freedom to select the Combat Arts he wants to use from the very beginning. You can even choose to fight mounted or on foot. Sacred allows a wide range of different paths for developing each character. For us, the capability of personalizing the player's character is one of the most important aspects of the game.

    We also took care to make the interface ideally suited to the gameplay, easy to use and effective. This makes the game incredibly accessible. So, in addition to core RPG gamers, Sacred has also won over a wider range of casual and female gamers.

    Sacred was designed to have an atmospheric epic single-player campaign, but also to give multiplayer gamers all they expect from this type of game, including closed and open internet play, cooperative campaigns, PvP, PvE and the much-loved hardcore mode.

    Monday - February 26, 2007

    Sacred 2 - Interview @ ActionTrip

    by Dhruin, 21:42

    Ascaron Creative Director Hans-Arno Wegner has been interviewed at ActionTrip about Sacred 2. They also have the only screens I am aware of that show a different class to the oft-previewed Seraphim - head over for a short look at the Shadow Warrior:

    ActionTrip: The original Sacred allowed gamers to move freely about the surrounding areas. Are you planning to include this feature in Sacred 2?

    Hans-Arno Wegner: Of course. The huge, seamless and freely explorable world was one of the key features in the original Sacred and our fans loved it. Sacred 2: Fallen Angel will also offer a massive game world, where you can spend hours exploring it, appreciating the details and getting immersed in the atmosphere.

    The huge seamless world in Sacred 2 was one of the main reasons why we wrote our own engine.

    Friday - February 23, 2007

    Sacred 2 - Heading to GDC

    by Dhruin, 20:28

    We might finally get to see more than just the Seraphim with Ascaron announcing they will be taking Sacred 2 to GDC:

    SACRED 2 – Fallen Angel at GDC 2007

    Ascaron Entertainment will be exhibiting at the San Francisco GDC 2007, and can be located at Booth 5102 in North Hall.

    Featuring a seamless 3D world, 6 diverse characters, extensive skill progression, a range of gameplay styles, parallel “Light” and “Shadow” campaigns, and multiple game modes, SACRED 2 - Fallen Angel brings the fantasy world to life.

    See all there is to see of SACRED 2 – Fallen Angel, the Action RPG on PC and console, and meet with the developer and producer of the game.

    As well as seeing SACRED 2 in action, visitors can secure their limited edition SACRED 2 press kit, including detailed game information and a range of exciting new visuals.

    Monday - February 12, 2007

    Sacred 2 - Preview @ ActionTrip

    by Dhruin, 20:19

    ActionTrip is the latest site to offer up a preview of Ascaron's Sacred 2:

    Sacred 2: Fallen Angel boasts major changes after its predecessor. This time around, the developers decided to move away from the time-honored isometric perspective, fitting the game into highly detailed 3D surroundings. Still, it was revealed that Sacred 2 is pretty much an action-RPG at heart (as it was before). When it comes to the in-game world, many things are different and so are the characters and races that dwell in it. Accordingly, a whole bunch of brand new character classes will be on offer. For the present, only the mighty angel-like Seraphim see a certain return in Sacred 2. Whether we'll actually see a comeback for classes like the Dark Elf, Vampiress, Wood Elf, Gladitor and others, remains to be seen.

    Monday - February 05, 2007

    Sacred 2 - Trailer @ GG Mania

    by Dhruin, 23:25

    GameGuru Mania dropped us a line to say they have a new in-game trailer for Sacred 2 that shows off -- you guessed it -- the Seraphim.

    Sacred 2 - Preview @ Armchair Empire

    by Dhruin, 22:32

    The Armchair Empire serves up a preview of Sacred 2 that appears based on existing information:

    While Ascaron has been forthcoming with the back story for Sacred 2, details regarding the battle system, magic, and whatnot are a bit hazy so far.  However, there are a few morsels of information available.  First, there is the option to be good or evil in the game.  Also, there will be six playable characters in the game.  Thus far we only know of the Seraphim, but five others will also be available in the final version.

    Thursday - February 01, 2007

    Sacred 2 - Preview @ Shacknews

    by Dhruin, 13:01

    Shacknews has kicked up a preview of Sacred 2.  Here's an excerpt:

    Ascaron noted that Sacred 2's multiplayer component is a big area of focus, though only fairly basic details could be shared at this point. Online cooperative multiplayer games will be able to contain up to either 16 or 32 players--the number is not yet set in stone--with parties of up to eight characters each. Like other games of the sort, it will have a pre-game lobby with chat and friends management, but less typically it supports both voice and video chat out of the box. Similarly to Battle.net, there will be two online options, open and closed, with the former allowing players a greater deal of freedom to set up servers and the latter featuring only Ascaron-run servers in order to limit cheating and provide reliability. For those who still like to play within earshot of others, Sacred 2 will feature a special LAN campaign, though it is unclear how substantial it will be relative to the main single-player/online campaign.

    Thanks, Acleacius!

    Wednesday - January 31, 2007

    Sacred 2 - New Screens

    by Dhruin, 22:32

    Ascaron has released nine new screens for Sacred 2 -- you can check them out in our gallery.

    Sacred 2 - Preview @ IGN

    by Dhruin, 21:32

    Sacred 2 has been previewed at IGN.  It's a short and fairly generic article that could almost apply to any action/RPG:

    As you might expect from a game in this genre, Sacred 2 offers plenty of weaponry and items to pick up along your adventures, and even goes so far as to include mounts to speed your travel across Ancaria. We've seen a few environments in the game, including combat around a river bed, in fields of swaying grass, surrounding pastoral cottages and inside dank caves where campfires and other light sources produce some impressive visual effects.

    Tuesday - January 23, 2007

    Sacred 2 - Screens @ Worthplaying

    by Dhruin, 22:16

    Following their interview yesterday, Worthplaying has five new Sacred 2 screens on offer.

    Sacred 2 - Q&A @ Worthplaying

    by Kalia, 03:13

    Worthplaying has posted an interview with Ascaron's Creative Director Hans Arno Wegner. It's an entertaining read focusing on multiplayer support among other things:

     

    WP :It seems like these days, everyone wants to leap headfirst into the MMo market. Sacred seems tailor-made for the persistent world treatment, what kept Ascaron from plunging into this increasingly overcrowded sub-genre?

    HAW: We want players to enjoy a great single-player game. Without a persistent MMO World, players have the freedom to play Sacred 2 absolutely the way he wants – for the ladder run, the search of the best items, the story, etc.

     

     

    Wednesday - December 27, 2006

    Sacred 2 - collection of gameplay movies

    by Garrett, 17:02

    3DGamers offers a 9MB sized collection of Sacred 2 gameplay movies. The 4 WMV9 clips run for 0:43min and offer a resolution of 1024x768.

    Friday - December 22, 2006

    Sacred 2 - official site relaunched

    by Garrett, 20:34

    The official Sacred 2 site has been relaunched today with a new look and some new game info...

    Thursday - November 02, 2006

    Sacred 2 - Official release date set

    by Garrett, 14:35

    Ascaron has set the official release date for Sacred 2 to october 2007.

    Source: Gamestar

    Sunday - August 27, 2006

    Sacred 2 Official Site Live

    by Dhruin, 22:44
    An official Sacred 2 site has gone live, although the English link on the front splash page isn't yet active. Those that venture to the German site will find the usual goodies...here are direct links to new screens and a trailer we haven't checked out yet.

    Monday - June 12, 2006

    Sacred 2: Preview @ Hooked Gamers

    by Dhruin, 08:37
    Surprisingly, this preview of Sacred 2 at Hooked Gamers is the first we've tracked. Here's an excerpt:
    One of the most attractive aspects of Sacred 2 is the ability to play both a good or evil storyline. Both campaigns are unique and offer new challenges for players as you complete one storyline and wish to explore the game further with something new. The good versus evil option also plays a factor in multiplayer games, allowing PvP environments in designated play modes.

    Information about

    Sacred 2: Fallen Angel

    Developer: Ascaron

    SP/MP: Single + MP
    Setting: Fantasy
    Genre: RPG
    Combat: Real-time
    Play-time: Over 60 hours
    Voice-acting: Full

    Regions & platforms
    Europe
    · Homepage
    · Platform: PC
    · Released: 2008-09-18
    · Publisher: Deep Silver

    North America
    · Platform: PC
    · Released: 2008-11-11
    · Publisher: CDV

    Europe
    · Platform: PS3
    · Released: 2009-05-12
    · Publisher: Deep Silver

    North America
    · Platform: Xbox 360
    · Released: 2009-05-12
    · Publisher: CDV

    North America
    · Platform: PS3
    · Released: 2009-05-12
    · Publisher: CDV

    Europe
    · Platform: Xbox 360
    · Released: 2009-05-12
    · Publisher: Deep Silver