WARCRAFT 2: TIDES OF DARKNESS

Reviewed By: John Gocke
Used with permission from AlMenconi.com

GAME TECH INFO

Computer Platform: PC/Mac
Produced by: Blizzard Entertainment
Price Range: $20
Age level: 13+
ESRB Rating: Teen
System Requirements: Win 95/98/NT, P-60+, 16MB RAM, 80 MB HDrive Space avail, 2X CD-ROM, Local Bus SVGA Video Card (Direct X Compatible), Microsoft Compatible Mouse, DirectX-Compatible Sound Card

Genre: Strategy
Christian Rating: 3 of 5
   (some objectionable elements)
Gameplay: 4 of 5
   (good)
Violence: 3 of 5
   (mild)
Adult Content: 5 of 5
   (none)

STORYLINE

Box art from 'Warcraft 2' In a medieval, "Lord of the Rings"-type setting, the player must strategically move his army across/around the map to be victorious over the enemy army. Players can choose to control either a “good” army or an “evil” army. The “good guys” come in the form of Humans, Elves, and Dwarves, who are simply trying to survive. The “bad guys” are an evil horde of Orcs, Trolls, and Goblins who want to take over the world. Each side trains soldiers and creates new weapons to annihilate the other side until everyone in one army or the other is dead. This Orc is part of the “evil horde” that threatens the human alliance.

VIOLENCE

This RTS (Real Time Strategy) game puts you in the “virtual god” seat of looking down on the battle as you equip your military units of soldiers, sorcerer priests with swords, axes, and magic spells to attack the armies and towns of the enemy. Units consist of dozens of fighters who clash in one-on-one combat. They proceed to stab and slash each other until they reduce their opposition to bloody pulps. The dead bodies slowly dissolve into skeletons and then fade altogether away to simulate decomposing. There is no mercy in this game. Whether you are a good guy or a bad guy you must totally annihilate every living soul on the other side in order to win.

ILLEGAL/HARMFUL BEHAVIOR

When attacking the other side, it is a common strategy to slaughter defenseless peasants in order to cut off the labor force of the enemy, to keep them from producing more resources. In this virtual world it seems that the ends justify the means.

LANGUAGE

Not much discernable language at all.

NUDITY/SEXUAL CONTENT

None.

OCCULT/SUPERNATURAL

Orc Grunt in 'Warcraft 2' Many of the buildings of the “evil horde” prominently display occult symbols, such as pentagrams. The “good” guys (Humans, Elves, and Dwarves) use “white” magic to heal their armies and cast spells on the “bad” guys. The bad guys do the same thing with their “black” magic to reanimate their dead soldiers and curse the good guys. Both the good and bad side must train their Sorcerer Priests to use increasingly more powerful spells against the other side in order to win. Priests gain more powers by the player spending more and more gold (mined by the poor peasants) to purchase occult materials. Even for the good guys, the ends justify the means when it comes to tapping into occult powers to gain the competitive edge against the enemy. You as the good guy must compromise and use the black arts to win. Many of the bad guys' buildings have occult symbols such as a pentagram prominently displayed on them.

CONCLUSION

"Warcraft 2" is a military strategy game that forces you to think about what you are doing instead of just slashing anything that moves. While playing, you have to decide whether to allocate gold and resources to building more structures and upgrading equipment or training more soldiers. Unfortunately, the positive aspects of the game are outweighed by the use of occult magic by both sides, the brutality of killing the defenseless peasants, and the occult imagery. “Warcraft 2” receives a 61% (D-) due to its occultic focus and preoccupation with slaughtering the other side.

The above review is somewhat offset. While he is right about some things, he is way wrong about others. Killing of defenseless peasants? They can defend themselves! Though their attack is low. One thing I do agree with is the use of magic. This is the first strategy game I have played that uses magic. But the good side (humans) try to push back the orcs, not annhilate them! Though that is what happens. This game has a good rating as teen but do not let younger children view it. This game is not totally focused on annhilation of the other side. Though there is killing (duh) it is not horribly violent. My Ratings: [4/4]
—R.M.

Warcraft2 is a great game, but it has too much violence…not a game for children. My Ratings: [1/3]
—Dracou, age 34

This is a great game… You use magic and stuff which is bad…but the gameplay is still pure brilliance! I love this game! My Ratings: [3/5]
—Rick White, age 15

I have really enjoyed the game Warcraft II like many other strategic games. Although, this game should not be played or viewed by younger children because it contains violence and a little foul use of language. I have really enjoyed this game, but if for some reason you do not have a strong christian life style, I urge you not to let this tempt you into beleiving this. My Ratings: [3/5]
—David Bonem, age 15

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this Christian Spotlight review are those of the reviewer (both ratings and recommendations), and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Films for Christ or the Christian Answers Network.