Gallery: Two Worlds II

One of the more underapprecited RPGs in the US this console generation had to be Reality Pump's Two Worlds, an open world action-based RPG experience with plenty to see and do (and some rather interesting monster designs). While the game wasn't perfect and had an ending that cut off any further exploration once the main quest was completed, there were more than enough enjoyable elements to keep me hooked in for hours at a stretch. Let's just say I spent a huge amount of time crafting up the perfect weapons and armor set. That and learning all those great summon spells so by the endgame, my character was pretty unstoppable.

Despite reviews that spent more time slamming the technical issues and intentionally campy voice acting, the game sold well enough in a few territories that Reality Pump and publisher TopWare are set to release a sequel, Two Worlds II, for "PC, MAC and Next-Gen consoles" (most likely PS3 and Xbox 360) this Winter. Reality Pump's new GRACE engine looks pretty impressive as you'll see in the four screenshots below, but we'll have to keep an eye peeled for gameplay movies or hope TopWare decides to do a press tour to NYC so I can get a hands-on. Hell, if they announce they're headed up this way, I'll be waiting outside the hotel for them to show up... er, in a NON-stalker kind of way...

The press release below is a hoot - "carnal curiosity" usually means "jail time" in a few states the last time I checked. I can't wait to see how the final version has turned out. Anyway, behold below, then click on the website link above and sign up for the official TWII newsletter:

Las Vegas, October 19th 2009 – It’s time again to return to the world of Antaloor. Fulfill your carnal curiosity by checking out four brand new screens directly from the RPG masterpiece, “Two Worlds II.” The game’s developers, Reality Pump, have created a revolutionary new engine called GRACE, and these screen shots give testimony to the engine’s capabilities.

A trip to the swamps will demonstrate the breathtaking experience that Two Worlds II has to offer. The result of Reality Pump’s extensive technical development, the game’s environment has been painstakingly created to fully immerse the player into the Antaloorian universe. For example, the marshy ground sucks at the character’s feet hindering his movement more so then if he was on dry land. Additionally, dynamic sounds have been constructed to further demonstrate the game’s attention to detail. When the hero steps into the marshy ground, he will hear a terrifyingly disgusting squishing noise that will make the player cringe with delight. Luckily, there are many wooden paths and stakes placed throughout the swamp, which will allow the player to traverse the treacherous terrain with more ease. However, whether you can use the comfortable paths and bridges without paying a toll depends on the disposition of the local residents – and you better believe that “Have a good day!” does not pass their lips on a regular basis. But let’s face it…would you be bubblin’ over with joy if you had to wake up every day to drizzling rain and tendril of swamp mist?

We'll have more on Two Worlds II as news and new screens are released. Hey TopWare! Where's that Septerra Core sequel?