Difference between revisions of "Orcs & Elves II"

From DoomWiki.org

[unchecked revision][unchecked revision]
m (Locations: Typo)
(spelling in 1 place)
(6 intermediate revisions by 2 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
 
[[File:OEII_Main_Menu.png|thumb|right|Main menu from the BREW version of the game.]]
 
[[File:OEII_Main_Menu.png|thumb|right|Main menu from the BREW version of the game.]]
'''Orcs & Elves II''' is the third mobile phone game based on the [[Doom RPG]] engine. The game was released first for the Qualcomm BREW platform on {{timeline|2007|December 3, 2007}}. A J2ME version was released a few months later in 2008.  
+
'''Orcs & Elves II''' is the third mobile phone game based on the [[Doom RPG]] engine. The game was released first in North America on {{timeline|2007|December 3, 2007}} and in Europe later next year.{{cite web|author=EA|title=EA and id Software Continue the Adventure with Orcs & Elves II Exclusively on Mobile|url=https://ir.ea.com/press-releases/press-release-details/2007/EA-and-id-Software-Continue-the-Adventure-with-Orcs--Elves-II-Exclusively-on-Mobile/default.aspx|publication=ea.com|publishdate=3 Dec 2007|accessdate=30 Jan 2021}}
  
 
== Story ==
 
== Story ==
  
The game does not continue the story of the protagonist from [[Orcs & Elves]]. Instead, gamers play as Valin, a thief elf who was tasked to retrieve talking magic wand Ellon in order to save his town from an enemy. Upon stealing the Wand, he found that its powers were nearly exhausted. Some time will pass before it will regain its former strength. Game starts with argument between Valin and Ellon. Wand comments lack of Valin's skills which lead Caverns' entrance to cave in and his ignorance to things which are going around him. In response, thief suggest it to be quiet or he will find a different use for it - as a firewood. Wand was enraged by these words and declared that it will not help him in his quest.
+
The game does not continue the story of the protagonist from [[Orcs & Elves]], but it takes place shortly after the events on Mount Zharrkarag comes to a close. Gamers play as Valin, a thief elf who was tasked to retrieve talking magic wand Ellon in order to aid his town - Sol from a siege. Upon stealing the Wand, he found that its powers were nearly exhausted. Some time will pass before it will regain its former strength. Valin must traverse cavern, towns and forests to quickly return to Sol with Ellon to help his people. This will not be so simple as since the attack on King Brahm's Citadel, evil forces have been trying to overtake parts of Lands.{{cite web archived|author=Kumar, Mathew|publication=GamesOnDeck|publishdate=20 March 2008|accessdate=13 Jun 2021|title=Q&A;: Anna Kang On Orcs & Elves II|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080424022514/http://www.gamesondeck.com:80/feature/3518/qa_anna_kang_on_orcs__elves_ii.php|archive-date=April 24, 2009|url-status=dead|archivedat=archive.org}} What worse, Valin came to an argument with Ellon. As the result, the Wand is not willing to help Valin in his quest.
  
 
== Development ==
 
== Development ==
  
The game was developed primarily for the Qualcomm BREW platform. After its release, the game was scaled down to run on J2ME devices. Following features were removed as a result:
+
Development cycle was inspired by the painful development of original. Game was first being made for low-end headsets with high-end headsets receiving prettier and better performing ports of the game. This lead to significant time savings in comparison to prequel.{{cite web|author=Diamante, Vincent|title=MECCA: Fountainhead's Kang On Orcs & Elves |url=https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/101826/MECCA_Fountainheads_Kang_On_Orcs__Elves.php|publication=gamasutra.com|publishdate=15 Sep 2006|accessdate=30 Jan 2021}} The biggest change in comparison to prequel, was adding a mouse familiar. In one of interviews, Anna Kang has mentioned, that she always tried to smuggle a friendly creature in to their games. This was an opposite to John Carmack, as he was reluctant to those ideas. However after success with Doom RPG's hell hound, there was a less resistance in bringing mouse familiar. A significant amount of work was done in order to make familiar "playable". Also a lot of ideas had to be scraped to make it to work.{{cite web archived|author=Kumar, Mathew|publication=GamesOnDeck|publishdate=20 March 2008|accessdate=13 Jun 2021|title=Q&A;: Anna Kang On Orcs & Elves II|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080424022514/http://www.gamesondeck.com:80/feature/3518/qa_anna_kang_on_orcs__elves_ii.php|archive-date=April 24, 2009|url-status=dead|archivedat=archive.org}} Following features were added to High End BREW version:
 
* Floor and ceiling textures.
 
* Floor and ceiling textures.
 
* Higher quality music and sound effects. Soundtrack can be found on the composer's Bandcamp.
 
* Higher quality music and sound effects. Soundtrack can be found on the composer's Bandcamp.
* Better looking intro (text is written in a scroll).
+
* Better looking intro (text is written in a scroll, similar to predecessor game).
 
* World map in main menu.
 
* World map in main menu.
 
* Quest map which was displayed while traveling between locations.
 
* Quest map which was displayed while traveling between locations.
Line 37: Line 37:
 
The following arsenal can be acquired during the game:
 
The following arsenal can be acquired during the game:
  
* Talking Wand - a weapon and companion of Valin. Its powers were nearly exhausted in [[ Orcs & Elves ]]. With each Valin's level up, Wand recovers more and more of its former strength.
+
* Talking Wand - a weapon and companion of Valin. Its powers were nearly exhausted in [[Orcs & Elves]]. With each Valin's level up, Wand recovers more and more of its former strength.
 
* Guiding Staff - apart from combat, it can also be used to move boulders.
 
* Guiding Staff - apart from combat, it can also be used to move boulders.
 
* Magic Dagger - it can be used to backstab, toss at enemies or strike at close range. When tossed, it will return once damage has been inflicted on an enemy.
 
* Magic Dagger - it can be used to backstab, toss at enemies or strike at close range. When tossed, it will return once damage has been inflicted on an enemy.
Line 74: Line 74:
 
<gallery mode=nolines widths="240px" heights="180px">
 
<gallery mode=nolines widths="240px" heights="180px">
 
OEII_wands_aura.png|Wand's aura difference between beginning and the end of the game.
 
OEII_wands_aura.png|Wand's aura difference between beginning and the end of the game.
OEII_tree_o_doom.png|Tree o' DOOM - Treants' name is a reference to [[Doom]].
+
OEII_tree_o_doom.png|Tree o' DOOM - Treant's name is a reference to [[Doom]].
 
</gallery>
 
</gallery>
  
 
== External links ==
 
== External links ==
[https://richdouglasmusic.bandcamp.com/album/orcs-elves-soundtrack Orcs & Elves soundtrack on composer's Bandcamp]
+
* [https://richdouglasmusic.bandcamp.com/album/orcs-elves-soundtrack Orcs & Elves soundtrack on composer's Bandcamp]
 +
 
 +
== References ==
 +
<references />
  
 
[[Category:Orcs & Elves]]
 
[[Category:Orcs & Elves]]
 
[[Category:Games on mobile device platforms]]
 
[[Category:Games on mobile device platforms]]

Revision as of 02:09, 17 June 2021

Main menu from the BREW version of the game.

Orcs & Elves II is the third mobile phone game based on the Doom RPG engine. The game was released first in North America on December 3, 2007 and in Europe later next year.[1]

Story

The game does not continue the story of the protagonist from Orcs & Elves, but it takes place shortly after the events on Mount Zharrkarag comes to a close. Gamers play as Valin, a thief elf who was tasked to retrieve talking magic wand Ellon in order to aid his town - Sol from a siege. Upon stealing the Wand, he found that its powers were nearly exhausted. Some time will pass before it will regain its former strength. Valin must traverse cavern, towns and forests to quickly return to Sol with Ellon to help his people. This will not be so simple as since the attack on King Brahm's Citadel, evil forces have been trying to overtake parts of Lands.[2] What worse, Valin came to an argument with Ellon. As the result, the Wand is not willing to help Valin in his quest.

Development

Development cycle was inspired by the painful development of original. Game was first being made for low-end headsets with high-end headsets receiving prettier and better performing ports of the game. This lead to significant time savings in comparison to prequel.[3] The biggest change in comparison to prequel, was adding a mouse familiar. In one of interviews, Anna Kang has mentioned, that she always tried to smuggle a friendly creature in to their games. This was an opposite to John Carmack, as he was reluctant to those ideas. However after success with Doom RPG's hell hound, there was a less resistance in bringing mouse familiar. A significant amount of work was done in order to make familiar "playable". Also a lot of ideas had to be scraped to make it to work.[4] Following features were added to High End BREW version:

  • Floor and ceiling textures.
  • Higher quality music and sound effects. Soundtrack can be found on the composer's Bandcamp.
  • Better looking intro (text is written in a scroll, similar to predecessor game).
  • World map in main menu.
  • Quest map which was displayed while traveling between locations.
  • A shinning font effect to display Wand's sentences.
  • An animated font effect to display Sarbok's sentences.
  • High resolution HUD assets.
  • Animated health bar.
  • Animated corpses and objects destruction.
  • Animated weapons and projectiles.
  • Animated familiar movement.
  • Animated parts of locations (e.g. fire sprite).
  • Animated "CAVE IN!" cutscene.
  • Wand's aura, which became more and more apparent in each new location.
  • Unique design of orbs.
  • Additional attack icons.
  • Ability to extinguish light sources (e.g. candles).
  • Additional cutscenes.
  • Ladders which were leading to hidden areas.
  • Puzzles which were involving air vents and moving the boulders.
  • Dedicated sprite for main character.
  • Extended ending cutscene.

Weapons

Weapons gallery.

The following arsenal can be acquired during the game:

  • Talking Wand - a weapon and companion of Valin. Its powers were nearly exhausted in Orcs & Elves. With each Valin's level up, Wand recovers more and more of its former strength.
  • Guiding Staff - apart from combat, it can also be used to move boulders.
  • Magic Dagger - it can be used to backstab, toss at enemies or strike at close range. When tossed, it will return once damage has been inflicted on an enemy.
  • Bob - a familiar acquired during the game. Can be used for scout and do minor returning missions. It has limited number of turns before it will return to owner. With each Valin's level up, number of turns will increase. Familiar Chow can be also used to increase its endurance.
  • Shrink Orbs - shrinks enemy on impact. Shrunk enemy deals less damage and has lower accuracy.
  • Mold Orbs - it contains a mold spores, which are released upon an impact making enemy sick.
  • Freeze Orbs - freezes enemies on impact. Effect lasts for three turns.
  • Fire Crossbow - a lightweight weapon that launches fire bolts. Sets enemies on fire on hit.
  • Flaming Sword - it's imbued with the Flame of Gaya's Breath. Particularly effective against Wraiths and Treants. Similar to a crossbow, sets enemies on file on hit.
  • Poison Dagger - replaces previous dagger. It is enchanted with lethal venom. Poisons enemies on hit.
  • Kinetic Crossbow - replaces Fire Crossbow. Delivers fire bolts with powerful kinetic force. Ideal for a crowd control. Should not be used at close range.

Locations

Quest map available in the BREW version of the game.

List of locations available in the game:

  • Caverns
  • Dwarkar
  • Tunnels
  • El' Landra
  • Dark Forest
  • Sol
  • Darkfel
  • Ben (developer map, BREW version only)
  • Brett (developer map, BREW version only)
  • Inventory (developer map, BREW version only)
  • Jah (developer map, BREW version only)
  • Karina (developer map, BREW version only)
  • Matt (developer map, BREW version only)
  • Monster (developer map, BREW version only)

Unlike prequel, game does not have a hub-like zone which allows to teleport between locations.

Gallery

External links

References

  1. EA (3 December 2007). "EA and id Software Continue the Adventure with Orcs & Elves II Exclusively on Mobile." ea.com. Retrieved 30 January 2021.
  2. Kumar, Mathew (20 March 2008). "Q&A;: Anna Kang On Orcs & Elves II." GamesOnDeck (archived 🏛). Retrieved 13 June 2021.
  3. Diamante, Vincent (15 September 2006). "MECCA: Fountainhead's Kang On Orcs & Elves." gamasutra.com. Retrieved 30 January 2021.
  4. Kumar, Mathew (20 March 2008). "Q&A;: Anna Kang On Orcs & Elves II." GamesOnDeck (archived 🏛). Retrieved 13 June 2021.