Customer Reviews

Sacred 2 Fallen Angel Collectors Edition

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

I'm a big fan of dungeon crawlers and played Sacred 1 extensively. I've been playing Sacred 2 for a few weeks now and it's getting frustrating. The game play itself is quite a bit of fun for a dungeon crawler fan like myself. Good character customization, a nice variety of loot, and a ginormous world to explore.

Unfortunately that's where my praise ends. I've had nothing but problems trying to get into multiplayer games, and spent 45 minutes trying last night before their lobby software finally let me create a game. Once in, it's stable enough, but you'll tear out your hair trying to get there.

Now, 2 reason NOT to buy the CE version of this game if you still want to play.

1. The Carrier Imp *ONLY* works in Closed multiplayer mode. It is not IS NOT available in Single Player, Single Player Coop, or Open multiplayer. It's a complete waste of money unless you are playing only Closed multiplayer.

2. Per the Sacred 2 forums, eventually the elite textures will be downloadable. This won't appeal to everyone, especially because it will be a ~6GB download, but it is not good a reason to buy the CE version of this game. I can't even use elite textures because it crashes the game (I'm running an ATI 4870 and 3.5 GB RAM).

The game it still young, and hopefully they'll get the issues worked out, but if you don't have the patience of a saint, you might not want to buy this game.

** Update **
Haven't had a lobby issue for quite a while, so it's probably fixed. Now if only they would fixed the Closed servers. I get ping times anywhere from 400 to 1800 playing Closed, which is absolutely unplayable. For some reason, all their english servers appear to be in Germany still...

I've put about 100 hours into the game and haven't even played 3 of the character classes. I, like many reviewers, was experiencing random lockups. I did some research and discovered that NVIDIA Physx were the problem. I disabled this feature and the game has yet to crash. However, I still have random sound issues (but at least the game doesn't lock). With that said, I love this game. The game play just feels right. There are many Diablo clones that have a detached feeling to them. Don't know if it's the sound effects or the feel of hitting an enemy...whatever it is, they did it right in Sacred 2. I couldn't find mention of the difficulty levels in the manual (but I purchased online and the manual is not complete). So, when I discovered that Bronze, Silver and Gold were not the end of the game, I was ecstatic. If you haven't played yet, know that the game also has Platinum and Niobium levels. So, if you think the game is too easy (you hardcore gamers out there) play through silver and gold (can be done quickly sticking to main plot only) and start in on Platinum...this is where the challenge begins for the real hack and slash veteran. Difficulty is also VERY dependent on class. The manual does state which characters are "easier" versus "harder" to play. I strongly agree with their assessments. A noob can play the Shadow Warrior in his/her sleep and never die. A fragile High Elf is a bit of a challenge (as it should be). I'm very happy to see a game that has such a broad distinction in classes. The different paths and ability to greatly customize each class is also very well implemented (even if it does take some messing about to figure out the best builds--thankfully there are already some great build guides on the net). The mob leveling is also done well. I hate what they did with Oblivion (mobs always same as Player level). In Sacred 2, each area has a high level cutoff for the mobs. So, when you eventually get above the cap the mobs no longer attack (in fact, some even cower in fear..nice touch Ascaron). This feature also gives you a good idea when it's time to FINALLY move on. Plus, it makes you feel like a god in that area...which it should after that many hours of play time. One final nit to pick. You CAN'T two-gun mojo with handguns! No dual-wield for the shooter!!! This was somewhat disappointing and I had to scrap a toon because I wasted the skill points (no skill retraining either...) With those comments aside, I still love Sacred 2 and think it's a great game. Can't wait for future add-ons and an expansion... Ascaron, I beg you, bring back the Dwarf!!!

PROS:
-Looks Beautiful
-Gameplay feels right
-Many, many, many items and drops
-Interesting and varied set items
-Developer continues to actively support and add new content
-Many character classes and build combos
-Major re-playability for the action RPG fan
-MASSIVE number of quests
-Achievements

CONS:
-Crashes (for various reasons)
-High system requirements for best graphic settings
-Last 3 areas feel rushed and linear when compared to the rest of the game
-Dungeons (with one or two notable exceptions) are too small
-Can't dual wield hand-guns
-No skill re-training
-No Dwarf character
-Story (not really a Con to me...but this ISN'T Bioware or Final Fantasy)

Love the game play.
Love the graphics.
Love the characters.
Love the loot.
Love the LAN game.
Love there are no monthly fees of any sort.

For the non-Collectors Edition version I gladly give it 4 stars!
I love playing and wish I could give it the first 5 star on Amazon...
Unfortunately the patching system is terrible. After a clean install you are prompted if you want to check for updates. DO NOT USE THE AUTOMATIC UPDATER. It will bend files before telling you it cannot update them correctly. Those bent files will prevent manual patching from working. So you will have to delete your fresh install and create a completely new, clean install. When you do, do NOT forget to unregister the product (you only get 2 registered installs per game). If you remember to unregister the product every time you have to do a reinstall (let us pray this is not often). I am glad they are fixing bugs (there are still a few that will bring the game to a screeching halt) but I wish they fixed their patches/updater.

Unfortunately for the Colletor's Edition I could give only 3 Stars
While I look at them as a kind of bonus, the upgraded graphics are barely noticible unless you tend to play very close-up. The map is not useful in any way (it's a geographical map - virtually nothing helpful to find towns, roads etc). But the deal killer is the Carrier Imp. The only reason we got them (we have two copies) was for the Carrier Imp - but that's only useful online!?!? So for us the CE version was a complete waste of money because we only play LAN games. So buy the regular version unless you want to play only online.

Pros:
Great game play.
Great graphics.
Great LAN play.
Great story.
They are trying to fix bugs.
Good Forums and moderators.

Cons:
Their patching system is riddled with problems.
CE Map is not useful.
CE Carrier Imp is only useful online.

Guys...
===> Make the Carrier Imp Available in Single Player/LAN Games! <===

Only reason I gave this title overall a 4 star is because of the games personality and what it offers.

On the surface its a straight Diablo/net hack clone. See bad guys, smash bad guys loot, loot, loot - oh goody did I get anything really cool, oh good new level new skills and abilities...

Its a simple pattern but still really enjoyable.

I have played the original Sacred and it caught my attention because it had a Valkyrie character running around messing up the bad guys. Good fun! The Valkyrie is back in the games prequel along with some other more conventional and nonconventional characters. An example of non conventional character available to play is the Anubus looking robo dogman that runs around and like in Battlestar Galatica has a hand that converts to a gun.

The story drive is very thin and is poorly executed in many places. You literally roam around hoping to get more story elements or discoveries on the side quests but they mostly end up just that, side quests and unrelated. I guess that is just like the real thing, just because you get off your main track to go help a sheep farmer does not guarantee that he will know some deep secret related to your mission. lol

The main storyline is ok but you do not feel as driven as it should be. Seriously if you are fighting a world disaster, you should be pretty motivated in your cause and the story should drive that through. That is from ONE characters perspective - the Seraphim's. Its easy to forget that each character has their own drives, ambitions, and views on what is happening. So the Inquisitor would see this as an opportunity vs a huge mess.

The graphics and sound are very well done which adds alot of the flavor to the games style of quirky character. For example? When the character complains to you that they are tired of standing around and maybe to get your attention is to start throwing things away from their inventory... They never do it, well at least I don't think they have.. hehe.

Install patches before playing because the games has lots of bugs! The recent patches (two as of this writing) found over at [...] is well worth downloading and installing as it fixes many issues, an important one is hardware scaling. Sacred 2 can be very demanding on the hardware so I recommend installing the patches before playing for the best experience.

The patches is one of the things about Ascaron that is a lot like Blizzard, they patch and patch and fix things until it's right. Then patch again to make balance changes or add new features. I hope they continue what they have done in the past of good support and fixing issues.


Securerom! Yes that evil is here. According to Ascaron the Securerom service is not installed but they require online acitivation. You get two keys that can be shared. When you uninstall it deactivates a key online and makes it available to install on another workstation. No I am not happy with this but it beats the heck out of EA's customer service of "we have so much money so we don't need you as a customer, give us your money and go away".

Please take a moment to read up on it and make the decision for yourself. Its not like the standard Spore DRM hell that EA is more than happy to force on its customers but it is still Securerom.

In summary, yes this is a wandering review, I have not had my coffee, yet the muse spoke and so I type the review. : )

Alright so should you get Sacred 2? I think yes, warts and all I still love the game. It has interesting characters to play that make you want to go though the game again from a different angle/perspective. It has the good/evil side of the story as well and some characters can be played either way. It charms you with its commentary from monsters such as "Dang it! I am just an extra after all!" when they die to your main character making comments/observations about themselves while playing.

Sacred 2 is also scheduled to come out on the consoles: 360 and PS3. If you love Diablo style hack and slash along with quirky but enjoyable gameplay then please take a look at Sacred 2. We need more people playing the game. Heck if anything the people at my work place are tired of me talking about it. lol

Take care and happy gaming!

Pro: Good graphic
Lots of small quests
Huge game world
Got lots of charecters
Greate sound

Con: Very Buggy (If you don't update)*See below
Kind of high system requirment
FPS no very stable from time to time(Especially in the City)

* You can use the Updater included in the game to update. However, if you are like me, the updater just simply won't work; go to [...] to download all the updates.
Note: The update patches will take quite some time, so you got to be extra patient.


My PC Spec:

Intel E7200 OC 3.02G
4G DDR2
Nvidia 9800GT 512MB OC 720/1800/999(Core/Shader/Memory)
Vista Business 32-bit

The game run on 1680*1050 with the Elite graphic setting and everything Max expect AA (AA set to off)

Out on the road: 66+FPS

In the City: 24-60+FPS

PS: I turn off the PhysX. The game runs much faster if you turn it off (This is in the readme).

WARNING:
Please note that the Carrier Imp can only be accessed in Multiplayer. I was under the false impression that the CE version of Sacred 2 would allow me to use the Imp in Single Player or Multiplayer (amazon does not specifically clarify that the Carrier Imp is Multiplayer only) :(

NEGATIVES-
The game is extremely buggy at this point in time with broken quests, insane AI during escort missions, incredibly tiny hard-to-read text (and I have 20/20 vision) and somewhat frequent crashes to the desktop. I do believe the developers will do as much as they can to fix a lot of the bugs in the following months to come (this was the same for the first Sacred game). As of now there is a new patch expected to come out near the end of November.


-POSITIVES-
All that aside, I am enjoying the game immensely even with the many negatives listed above. I love a good fantasy hack n' slash game similar to Diablo, Titan's Quest and of course the first Sacred. Sacred is a looter's paradise. The addiction of collecting better equipment and gold is great. There doesn't seem like there is a strong story to keep your interest but there are so many places to explore and tons of side quests to do! This game almost reminds me of a Diablo type style of Oblivion. Huge world to explore, new quests to be added in the patches and playing as the different character types offered in the world of Ancaria.

If you're interested in purchasing this game, download the demo first and see if you like it. If you do then go ahead and buy it but if the negatives I listed turn you off and you like this type of game, wait six months or more and by then the game will be a lot more stable and thoroughly playable.

Pros:
Amazing graphics
Easy item pick up (auto pick up can be customized)
You can sell items while in the field (though for less then at shops)
Immense amount of quests. Easy to put 100 hours in this game, at least
Love the Blind Guardian quests/concert.
Amusing commentary from dying characters. Lots of silly moments in the game.
Very little load times.
Frequent updates from the company, that includes more armor and quests, even a new area.
Mounts are great in this game, much better then the last one.
Reasonable drops, not too much but not too little.

Cons:
Really do need a higher end computer to get the most out of the game (especially with the elite textures)
A little overwhelming with the quests, and size of the world.
Not as many people playing online as I'd like.
Not too much in depth with the story, and it's easy to forget there even is a main quest/story with all the side quests.

Overall, I'm very happy I got this game. And the collectors edition was worth it, since I play at maxed graphics and the elite textures are incredible for a game with such little load times.

There is a "demo" which is actually the full game, but it's only playable for one day. But that should be long enough to know if you want to keep playing it or not. BTW, it's also coming out on Xbox 360 and PS3 in Feb, I believe. However, the PC version does still look better.

If you played Sacred and enjoyed it, definitely pick up Sacred 2. If you loved Diablo 2, and want a game similar but with way better graphics (but can't wait for Diablo 3), this is your game.

This would have been such a great game;but,with the continual "BUGS" in it;which,take so much of the "fun" out of playing. That fact has made it hard to really enjoy---for any reasonable length of time. It was in such bad shape software-wise(as to it's bug-filled condition)when it first hit the streets,I am sure the company that originally published it,might of not gone out of business---as they did,had it not been for this. It really needed to have come out a truly "somewhat" finished polished product.
But,unfortunately...it is still in need of some "major" software updates/patches,if...that might help.
Other than that,it's a fun game to play...still. If you don't mind the "bugs".

This game would be very much worth the price for a collector's edition if it weren't for the DRM issues.

The publisher stopped updating the software without ironing out all of the bugs (most of which were caused by the use of SecuRom "Anti-Piracy" software). The original game has been out for 3 years and the expansion pack has been out for almost 2 years now and they never issued a patch to remove the DRM.

This is especially sad because the DRM causes the game not to work under Windows 7. Support for the game ended with the final patch being issued in Feb 2010 so it appears that the DRM will never be removed and the game will never run correctly for most users. :-(

This is an excellent game i had no problems installing it and it has a very good price. it is definitely worth it.