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Why Two Worlds II isn't Two Worlds: The Temptation

by Justin McElroy { Jul 6th 2009 at 10:45AM }

After the announcement of Two Worlds II, we assumed -- erroneously, it turns out -- that developer Reality Pump had ditched the subtitle attached to the previously announced Two Worlds: The Temptation, and gone with a number. In reality, there was a lot more to it than that.

The short version, from publisher Zuxxez PR director Joerg Schindler: "The Temptation had been canceled due to technical outdating [sic]. We use a complete new engine for Two Worlds II."

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Hey, someone's making Two Worlds II

by Justin McElroy { Jul 3rd 2009 at 10:45PM }

So this is kinda confusing, try to roll with us. Developer Reality Pump announced that it's working on Two Worlds II, due this winter. Only ... it had already announced a sequel to Oblivion-esque FPS RPG called Two Worlds: The Temptation. We're pretty sure the team just decided to go with the number instead of the subtitle, but we guess we'll never know. (OK, so the story's a bit weirder than we thought.)

Set two years after the original, TW II promises "completely overhauled AI and balancing standards, experienced authors, [an] active combat system and the brand-new engine." Here's hoping the changes can make the sequel not so ... you know ... wretched?

[Via Eurogamer]

SouthPeak is apparently rolling in the dough

by Justin McElroy { Feb 18th 2009 at 5:45PM }

Sure, you used to laugh up your sleeve at SouthPeak when it unleashed My Baby and Dream Pinball 3D on an unsuspecting public. But SouthPeak couldn't hear you. Know why? Because SouthPeak's ears were stuffed with money. GI.biz reports that the publisher's income was at $17.3 million for the most recent quarter, a jump of 76 percent over the previous year.

Financial apocalypse sweeps through the nation, and only the people behind Two Worlds are able to rise above it all. Strange times, friends. Strange times.

Two Worlds publisher obtains $12.9m in funding

by Jason Dobson { Jun 21st 2008 at 10:30PM }

SouthPeak Games, publisher of Two Worlds as well as the uber-cute DS title Ninjatown, has secured an impressive $12.9 million in private funding. As reported by VC blog VentureBeat's Dean Takahashi, the financing is particularly interesting given that most investments of this sort are directed at the online games, virtual worlds or social networks, rather than the more traditional console and PC game space that SouthPeak calls home.

The company will have no shortage of projects on which to blow its newfound cash, with a number of other titles on deck including XBLA puzzler Roogoo, Monster Madness: Grave Danger for the PS3, and The Temptation, which is totally not-an-expansion to Two Worlds. With multiple sequels planned, Takahashi also notes that the pub sees last year's Xbox 360 and PC RPG as its biggest success to date, though it's a sentiment obviously measured in something other than review scores.

Two Worlds 'unfairly compared to Oblivion' by reviewers

by Ludwig Kietzmann { Apr 22nd 2008 at 5:28PM }

In its interview with developer Reality Pump, OXM diplomatically asks why "the most epic RPG of all time," Two Worlds, was met with such a "mixed" reception from reviewers. The interviewee (who, quite oddly, is never named in the article) suggests that it was the comparison between the developer's open-ended fantasy RPG and Bethesda's open-ended fantasy RPG, The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, that did the scores in. "I can't say for sure, but I suspect that it was unfairly compared to Oblivion," says the spokesperson. "It's understandable since Elder Scrolls was so good it basically set the standard."

Ah, that would explain why Worth Playing labeled Two Worlds a "sub-par RPG with a sub-par storyline, sub-par gameplay, sub-par sounds, and very sub-par multiplayer." Reality Pump further notes that one of the game's major failings was being stuffed with ideas. "With the original idea, we were all so excited to be working on an RPG, that we tried to fit in every idea we had, even the ones that came late in the process. Ultimately, this hurt the end product in that it had parts that were underdeveloped."

Will the expansion-turned-sequel, Two Worlds: The Temptation be better? "It's better in every aspect, and we know that many reading this have their doubts. All I can say is give us a chance to prove it." Fair enough -- as long as you don't mind us comparing it to Oblivion.

Two Worlds devs admit to and learn from faults

by Dustin Burg { Apr 22nd 2008 at 4:00PM }

OXM UK just published a rather candid interview with Two Worlds developer Reality Pump where they discuss what went wrong with their icky RPG and what they're doing differently with The Temptation sequel. So, onto the blame game!

Reality Pump admits that they bit off way more than they could chew with Two Worlds, citing total inexperience when it came to console development which led to the game's lackluster graphics and gameplay. Development on the title also got discombobulated (yes, that is a word) when their team "tried to fit in every idea" which ultimately "hurt the end product in that it had parts that were underdeveloped". Overall, this was their first step into the next gen ring and admitting to ones' missteps is, well ... very noble.

Reality Pump promises fans that they learned from their Two Worlds mistakes, have a new engine, new voice actors, a new writer and a more focused development schedule planned for Two Worlds: The Temptation. Hopefully the sequel can stand on its own and distance itself from the Oblivion comparisons because, no matter how great the game ends up being, we don't think it'll ever win.

[Thanks, PrivateRyan]

More DLC arrives for Two Worlds

by Richard Mitchell { Apr 3rd 2008 at 4:00PM }

Stop the presses! What's that, we don't have presses? Well then carry on! Ladies and gentlemen another momentous day is upon us as yet another piece of downloadable content has arrived for Two Worlds. Honestly, we're hard-pressed to tell the difference between this round of DLC and the pack that was released last month. Both contain 35 new quests and a PVP mode in which players "battle one another in an innovative player-versus-player challenge where opponents battle to control magical orbs within a variety of arenas." No, seriously, the press releases for each piece of DLC used the exact same wording to describe the new PVP mode. So, we're not sure if both packs come with the same PVP arenas or not. Still, that's a total of 70 new quests if you're so inclined. Oh, and just so you can tell them apart, the newest piece of DLC is called Curse of Souls. It will run you 600 Microsoft Points.

Two Worlds expansion Curse of Souls hits the Marketplace

by Jason Dobson { Apr 3rd 2008 at 2:45PM }

While we doubt Oblivion will credit Reality Pump's Two Worlds as the wind beneath its wings, we still can't help but wonder if it's cold there living in the shadow of Bethesda's role-playing opus. Nevertheless, the lesser of the two open-ended RPGs continues to get love by way of downloadable content, the latest of which dropped today over Xbox Live.

Dubbed Curse of Souls, the 600 point multiplayer-focused affair is the game's second, following the already available Tainted Blood, and promises, among other things, an extra 10 hours of content spread over 35 new quests. The download also adds a player-versus-player arena throwdown in the town of Tharnburg, no doubt making for a thrilling spectacle for the handful of players still frolicking in the world of Antaloor as they wait for the game's recently confirmed sequel.

[Via Press Release]

Two Worlds: The Temptation actually a sequel, not expansion

by Richard Mitchell { Mar 20th 2008 at 4:45PM }

Despite previous reports that the Two Worlds project entitled The Temptation would be an expansion to the original game, it turns out that it will actually serve as a full sequel to Two Worlds. According to the press release, the game will feature a new game engine with "visuals that have to be seen to be believed" alongside "more intricate missions," better voice-overs and animation (oh thank God), improved horseback riding, and "completely revamped combat." The press release included a handful of screenshots that are definitely a step above the original, though we're waiting to see the game in motion before we make any judgments. It seems Reality Pump is aware of gamer's disappointment with the original, as chief developer Miroslaw Dymek notes, "We've taken to heart all the comments made by gamers about Two Worlds and we're going to give them what they want with the sequel." We'll find out if Two Worlds: The Temptation delivers when it releases this fall.

Gallery: Two Worlds: The Temptation

Two Worlds: The Temptation dated for fall, now called a sequel

by Jason Dobson { Mar 20th 2008 at 4:15PM }

It appears as if SouthPeak and developer Reality Pump have big plans for Two Worlds: The Temptation, as the previously announced release has been upgraded from mere expansion to full-on sequel status, with the game expected to ship to retail this fall for both the PC and Xbox 360. The Temptation will pick up following the events in the first game, a title mind you that was almost universally derided when it was released in 2007.

While SouthPeak remains mum on many of the sequel's specifics, the company notes that The Temptation will pack in "as much content as the original," as well as a new graphics engine, improved voice overs and "more intricate" missions. The publisher also describes the sequel's combat as "revamped," a fancy term that we hope translates to "not horribly broken."

Gallery: Two Worlds: The Temptation

New Two Worlds DLC: Tainted Blood

by Richard Mitchell { Mar 13th 2008 at 12:00PM }

After its announcement late last month, the first of two new downloadable content packs for Two Worlds has been released. Entitled "Tainted Blood" the new DLC offers 4 new multiplayer maps and over 35 new quests that can be accomplished with friends. The DLC also includes a new PVP multiplayer mode in which players "battle to control magical orbs within a variety of arenas." All in all, according to the press release, Tainted Blood should add 10 hours of gameplay to Two Worlds. Should you desire Tainted Blood (and who doesn't?), it will run you 600 Microsoft Points. We've received a handful of new screens of the DLC, which you can peep in the gallery below. Remember, there is still another batch of DLC planned for April as well as a full expansion called Temptation set to arrive sometime this year. We're reminding you so that you won't forget to not download those either.

[Via Press Release]

Gallery: Two Worlds

Duo of Two Worlds DLC packs coming

by Justin McElroy { Feb 27th 2008 at 1:00PM }

We've got to hand it to SouthPeak, which is releasing two (count 'em) two DLC packs for the (by most accounts) truly bad Two Worlds. That's a crazy, Bridge on the River Kwai level of dedication that we can't even begin to comprehend.

If you're the sort that's interested (and please, please comment if you are) the packs will each add about 10 hours of gameplay with new multiplayer maps,new co-op quests and new player-versus-player challenges. Both will be 600 points, one pack is coming in March and one is coming in April. We trust most of you will be able to bear the wait just fine. Also, just so we're clear, we don't know if these DLC packs represent the expansion we heard about, or if both of you still have more to look forward to after April.

Gallery: Two Worlds DLC

Two Worlds multiplayer expansion DLC details [update]

by Dustin Burg { Feb 26th 2008 at 1:45PM }

Update: That was quick. We just confirmed with SouthPeak that this new DLC content has nothing to do with the Temptation expansion. They are different in their own unique ways.

SouthPeak just announced two new downloadable content expansions for their mediocre RPG Two Worlds and we're sure the handful of fanboys who own the game are uber excited. The two DLC packs will be released one month apart, one hitting the XBLM in March while the other arrives in April, both for 600 Microsoft points. Each DLC pack will add new multiplayer maps, co-op missions, new weapons and player versus player challenges to the unfamiliar world of Antaloor. We're also not certain if this newly announced DLC is the content that was planned for the Two Worlds: Temptation expansion or if it's something entirely different. We'll get in touch with SouthPeak for a little clarification, but until then, feel free to browse through the new DLC screenshots in the gallery below.

Gallery: Two Worlds

Best of the Rest: Kyle's picks for 2007

by Kyle Orland { Jan 2nd 2008 at 12:45PM }

kdice (Web)

Take Risk. Simplify the rules and create a bunch of new maps. Add an intuitive web-based interface and a complex worldwide ranking system. Make the game entirely free to play and attract a solid stable of online players, available at all hours of the day. The result is one of the most addictive strategy games you've probably never heard of.

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Two Worlds expansion to tempt you in 2008

by Ross Miller { Nov 29th 2007 at 3:00AM }

Sure, Two Worlds may not have the best reviews or consumer confidence right now, but that doesn't make it beyond salvation (just look at the now-awesome Boom Boom Rocket). An expansion for the game, dubbed The Temptation, is coming second quarter 2008.

According to WorthPlaying (pictures), Temptation has what you'd expect from an expansion: new areas, new baddies, new abilities and better AI. The real question is will Temptation tempt you to (re)visit Two Worlds next year?