Savage: The Battle for Newerth

Role-playing, hack 'n' slash and RTS games are all good approaches to gameplay when it comes to design, but few developers are able to bring them together in a single interactive adventure with success. But as we venture further into 2004, little-known developer S2 Games releases Savage: The Battle for Newerth on PC.

Set millions of years into the future after an apocalypse nearly wiped out the human race, mankind is once again beginning to take the world for itself. However, an evolved race of beasts are intent on making sure history doesn't repeat itself. And so a war between man and beast is triggered. Which side are you on?

Now, when it comes to games that are supposed to be epics, developers can often go overboard with cut-scenes and narration, but S2 has avoided this, brining us a compelling story but keeping the focus of the adventure on gameplay.

Players have the option to participate as humans or beasts right from the beginning, each race defined by its own technologies, fighting styles and abilities, but it's a well-balanced affair that ensures your challenge will be the same regardless. As you start life in this post-Apocalyptic world, you'll be responsible for harvesting materials and looking after your race, as well as defending yourself against enemy attacks - that's the RTS aspect of Savage. Conversely, you can launch an attack of your own against the enemy. A variety of weapons such as shotguns and grenades can be used to increase your chances of success. This brings the FPS element into play.

But the game becomes much, much more as an online multi-player affair. Here, up to 64 players can participate in Savage, making the experience more diverse, dynamic and fun to play. Human opponents and allies make the online world of Savage a much more interesting place to be as a gamer, and paves the way for unlimited gameplay that covers several playing styles well.

Savage: The Battle for Newerth has been a long time coming on PC. Now it's finally here, it's worth every penny.