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Dungeon Siege II

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7.7 User Score:

Generally favorable reviews

Based on 51 critic reviews
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Based on 35 votes
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Game Info

Publisher: Microsoft

Developer: Gas Powered Games

Genre(s): Role-Playing Game, Action

Players: 2

ESRB Rating: M (Mature)

Release Date: August 16, 2005

Summary

It's been a generation since you vanquished the evil that plagued the Land of Ehb, and now a new menace has awakened. In Dungeon Siege II, you will be called on to again wield sword and spell to save the world from a growing abomination many years in the making. A thousand years ago, the crusaders of Azunai crossed swords with the legions of Zaramoth in the final battle of a century-long rebellion. As the tyrannical god Zaramoth struck the final blow through Azunai's trembling shield, the earth shook. In that moment, the forces of magic were unchained, and both armies were consumed in a brilliant cataclysm that stretched for leagues across the Plain of Tears. Only a scarred wasteland remained as final testament to the First Age of Man. And for a millennium, magic has continued to spread to the farthest corners of the world, freely flowing to any who would command it. But the tide of magic has begun to wane, heeding instead the call of an ancient legacy. From the Plain of Tears a new heir beckons, and with each day his strength grows. Consuming those who submit, eradicating those who resist. With none to oppose his ascendance, the circle will be complete, and an ancient age will begin anew. What fate will befall the Second Age of Man? The time for judgment is nigh. [Microsoft]

Also On Metacritic

GAMES: Dungeon Siege Dungeon Siege II: Broken World Dungeon Siege: Legends of Aranna

Cheat Codes & Hints: Cheat Code Central

Also On The Web: ActionTrip Preview eToychest Preview Games Domain Preview GameSpot Preview Official Website

What The Critics Said

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

100

Detroit Free Press

It's a winning combination: the same great concept that made Dungeon Siege a hit now with new story lines, new features and improved graphics. It's a great choice for dozens of hours of gameplay this fall.

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Gamezilla!

Everything Diablo should have been. Better story, more diverse action, continuously loading world, and better graphical interface. Highly Recommended.

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GamePro

But it's now clear that Dungeon Siege II is now undeniably one of the action RPG stars. It makes many, many welcome tweaks and improvements--far to many to list here--and is sure to thrill any action RPG fan.

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GamerFeed

This is, by far, an incredible improvement from the original game and offers hours of great gameplay.

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Quandary

Every aspect has been well polished making it a pleasure to play. The game becomes more addictive as you progress.

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AceGamez

A superb sequel that takes the great gameplay of the original and, while stripping out some of those party options, updates the presentation so that everything looks and sounds wonderful.

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Gaming Illustrated

There's so much to see and experience beyond the main quests, and being able to play through as the various character type as well as play the game on-line gives the title an exceptional longevity score.

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eToychest

A considerable entry in the field of hack and slash RPGs for the PC. The action is intense, there are a host of options for character development, and the story, while negligible, still more than serves its purpose. Save for a few annoyances, the bankrupt AI being chief among them, this is a game that will see any fan of the genre coming away satisfied.

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GamingTrend

If you are a fan of the series then you absolutely have to play this. If you are a loot junkie, like I am, then you have to get this game, but if you are a hardcore RPGer looking for a challenge, you will be disappointed.

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VGPub

I love every aspect of DSII. From the equipping to the stat management, everything is just so fluid.

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PC Gamer

Looking dated, but it beats the first Dungeon Siege in every way. [Nov 2005, p.66]

RPG Fan

Endlessly light and easy to play with untold improvements over the first game, this is a simple and easy blast for any players looking for something a little mindless to put on their PC.

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My Gamer

Almost everything that Dungeon Siege did well, DS2 does better (the anemic and frustrating Save Game system notwithstanding).

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Gaming Nexus

A fantastic hack and slash RPG that fans of the genre will love. Gas Powered Games added a ton of new features into the game that should help gamers who didn’t like the first game back into the fold.

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Game Chronicles

An excellent hybrid of systematic dungeon crawls and traditional RPG gameplay that will reward most any RPG fan with quality hack-n-slash gameplay, strategic inventory management, and thoughtful character advancement.

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DailyGame

Quite a fun game, once it gets up and going.

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IGN

Those expecting a straightforward dungeon hack will find those elements in spades, while the traditional RPG fan will also be rewarded with a long story and lots of world detail.

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Inside Gamer Online

The most impressive feature of Dungeon Siege 2 is how well it balances the sleek combat of the original with enhancements that add breadth, without any element feeling out of place.

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PC Format

Exhilarating stripped down action-RPG. Repetitive, but compulsive. [Oct 2005, p.86]

Pelit (Finland)

An entertaining hack 'n' slash which does not really lack anything except originality. [Sept. 05]

GameShark

Along with the fantastic storyline which gets more intricate and complex as the game progresses, and the hack and slash style gameplay that many action RPG gamers will recognize and feel comfortable with, Dungeon Siege 2 is definitely worth checking out for some hectic sword swinging action.

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GameZone

You tend to see most everything coming, which means there are few plot twists that are not either foreshadowed or anticipated. Still, it is a good storyline, and the game is entertaining.

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Gamer's Hell

Dungeon Siege 2 does what sequels should do—fix the things that didn’t work, improve the things that did, and add the content that fans of the first will enjoy. This time there’s less downtime, pathing problems have, for the most part, been fixed, things are prettier and sound better, and there’s a lot more to do—though it’s usually the same thing in various forms.

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Worth Playing

Dungeon Siege II will keep you busy for about 30-40 hours. After that, you can unlock two more difficulty levels and take your powered-up characters through the campaign again and again.

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FiringSquad

While it does refine the genre, Dungeon Siege II doesn’t really offer anything truly new. Sure, we can take issues with the graphics or the somewhat uneven difficulty level, but the real trouble comes in the lack of meaningful addition.

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Games Radar (in-house)

The best way to experience what DSII has to offer is through co-operative mode - you can play the entire game's storyline with other people. There's nothing more enjoyable than storming a dungeon with a party of your friends.

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GameSpy

An improved story, questing system, and plenty to do means that if you were a fan of the original and are in need of some good hacking and slashing, you should pick this one up.

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Cheat Code Central

Although you won't get tons of replay value out of Dungeon Siege II, you will get to spend many, many hours on your first run through with virtually no filler.

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Yahoo! Games

Dungeon Siege II hasn't improved significantly in the story or visuals department, but it's got deeper play mechanics, and the party management has been tweaked to allow for the level of hands-on interaction the player's comfortable with. It's also an incontrovertibly vast game.

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Play Magazine

Between its unquestionable depth, addicting action and secure online party-based multiplayer modes, you can't go wrong with Dungeon Siege 2. [Sept 2005, p.70]

ActionTrip

It has some clear and often inexplicable drawbacks, and yet it still manages to deliver a deep and immersive single-player gaming experience that had me glued to my monitor screen 'till the wee hours of the morning.

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PC Gameworld

Does it offer anything new? No, it really doesn't. But most importantly: Is it fun? Well, yeah- it's a lot of fun that lasts for many hours even if it doesn't feel all that fresh or innovative.

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Game Informer

Its core premise is so strong, and the RPG elements so well-done, that this will definitely scratch any dungeon-crawling itch you have. [Oct 2005, p.144]

Computer Games Online RO

Ultimately, in some regards, Dungeon Siege 2 is clearly better than its predecessor. But some questionable design decisions, as well as a few less evident problems manage to stop it from becoming one of the better games of 2005. Nevertheless, for hack & slash fans this is a must have title.

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Times Online

This is a handsome game with a stirring soundtrack, with the potential to deliver weeks of very involving gameplay for hardcore followers.

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Eurogamer

It hangs together well enough, and more exists as an excuse to create the set-pieces which provide Dungeon Siege with its most memorable moments.

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Game Over Online

It’s polished and well made, it has a long campaign, and there’s even some re-playability to it, both for starting a new character and playing the campaign again, and for upping the difficulty level and continuing the exploits of your first character.

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Computer and Video Games

What you get for your money is an exceptionally solid RPG with plenty of life in it, but one that doesn't do anything particularly different to anything else on the market, and for that reason alone it guarantees one of our shiny new Recommended awards, but nothing more.

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G4 TV

The inclusion of an intuitive, open character building system, commendable AI, and great multiplayer options make this a fine choice for fans of the original game, and those looking for a good action-heavy role-playing experience.

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GameSpot

A solid effort that manages to improve on the first game to deliver a lengthy, combat-heavy dungeon hack that will certainly please fans of the genre.

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XGP Gaming

A solid game, though nothing innovative. The story itself is decent, but is held back by poor writing and voice acting.

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PALGN

It won’t stand up in terms of depth or total enthralling value, but it does provide a rock-solid game that both aficionados and RPG-newbies can find some pleasure.

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Computer Gaming World

Dungeon Siege II errs by giving you way too much, all teh time... ultimately diminishing the impact of everything you do. [Nov 2005, p.92]

Computer Games Magazine

Don't be surprised if, when you're done - and maybe even well before - you end up feeling like you've gorged yourself on a big old gaming Twinkie. Tasty and sweet, for sure, but ultimately somewhat unfulfilling. [Nov 2005, p.66]

Adrenaline Vault

Possesses the single most important quality for a game: it’s fun. Controlling my party of characters to victory over the hordes of enemies that would flood the screen was a blast. Yes, there was a large amount of repetition, but I found myself faithfully returning to the game to move to the next area, or to achieve the next goal.

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1UP

Even with the new story Dungeon Siege II never quite manages to shake the underlying sense throughout that if you squint hard enough at the screen you could be playing the original game. It's as if answering the critics became such a preoccupation that instead of a sequel, Dungeon Siege II became the perfected version of the original.

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Total Video Games

Dungeon Siege II will certainly please fans of the original game, although the simplistic combat system does mean that criticisms about a repetitive experience are bound to fill forums in the forthcoming weeks and months.

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Sydney Morning Herald

Fast-paced, epic and accessible, Microsoft's hack'n'slash sequel will entertain role-playing novices but disappoint veterans looking for more depth and innovation.

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Armchair Empire

After playing the game for a few 3 hour sessions, the gameplay seemed quite repetitive, and there was little challenge either mentally, strategically, or in twitch reflex.

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Game Revolution

The original Dungeon Siege was a study in gameplay refinement, introducing a multitude of simple concepts that really changed PC role-playing for the better. Though some of that is still here, it's not so thrilling anymore. Dungeon Siege II is so streamlined that it has lost its hardcore edge.

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Next Level Gaming

They still do not have a fun game, but simply a collection of features… maybe the next time around they will have a fun game… one can always hope.

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What Our Users Said

The average user rating for this game is 7.7 (out of 10) based on 35 User Votes

Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Phil D. gave it a10:
This game has a lot of the old Diablo feel to it, but I do believe it is larger overall. Love the ability to grow with your character and hunt for items. Love this game!!!

Tehanu A. gave it a10:
Awsome! There is sooo much stuff to do, it will keep you entertained for days! The way the fighting system is fixed up, it allows you to do what you want, when you want. The camera can also move whereever you want it to be, zoomed all the way in. . . or way out. An all arround great game!

TJ H. gave it a3:
This game isn't THAT bad but it could be better. There are a million side quests that require a huge amount of remembering where things are and backtracking. If you want to complete the game 100%, then you are looking at about 3 x the play time of if you just complete a few side quests and main quests. Most of the side quests are backtracking, so I don't enjoy them. Gameplay is very similar to Diablo 2, but not as nice or enjoyable. Lots of running around and beating enemies that are tougher than your party. So lots of dying / running away, recovering and running back. Not horribly fun. I am 2 / 3 through and doubt I will play anymore. No desire, no great storyline to follow. Same old "jerk who wants to rule the world, and is a bit better than all the other egomaniacs out there" theory.

K. Dep gave it a4:
This game is a ripoff of Diablo 2 (much like DS 1). Same concepts, same systems, different names. The only difference is the multi-character gameplay. I'm not impressed. Diablo 2 is many years old, and DS 2 is trying to rehash it all. It is definitely better than DS 1 (which I think ranks as one of the worst games ever made), but it is not better by a whole lot. It is not so much more a sequel as it is a refinement and upgrade. The vast majority of the game is similar. I will finish DS2, but much like DS1, I will do it only to prove to myself that the game isn't worth while.

Mateus C. gave it a9:
Much more complex than the first game, DS2 is the response of all those dislike the simplicity of the first Dungeon Siege. The concept art is also strongly different, but will go to please hardcore RPGs players.

James F. gave it an8:
Ok so this is no Diablo 2, but it is a decent RPG hack'n'cast affair. The party system works well even if hampered by the slightly dodgy AI. Anyone who likes running around gulping down potions and fighting a ridiculous amount of mosters from beyond will be right at home here.

Andrew J. gave it a10:
Great RPG game; better than its predecessor.

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Dungeon Siege II

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