The original Savage: The Battle for Newerth took a major stride in gaming by combining real-time strategy (RTS) elements with first-person shooting (FPS) action before Battlefield 2 adopted the idea. However, the results were a little mixed, given that there was no tutorial and the graphics were a little primitive. Now the developer, S2 Games, takes another big step forward with Savage 2: A Tortured Soul, which is an RTS, FPS and role-playing game (RPG) combined into one enjoyable experience.

Savage 2 takes place in a world that blends technology with fantasy, with humans locked in an eternal battle against a beast horde. Humans use technology and switch between using swords and guns, and eventually work their way up to operating powerful siege tanks. Meanwhile, the beasts use magic and a connection with nature as weapons, ultimately gaining access to giant creatures that wield whole trees as clubs. The two sides are well balanced and match against each other equally, which works out well for the most part, though prolonged stalemates arise every once in a while.

Players jump online and face-off against each other in combat while a commander uses an RTS point of view to construct buildings. New buildings give the fighters on the field access to higher technology and more advanced unit types. Players that select the builder class can speed up construction by putting their hammers to work. Then comes the steady progression towards destroying the enemy base. Players gain experience through engaging in combat and taking down enemies, which then go into stats like endurance and strength. Players can pick up items like health potions to provide a significant advantage on the field, which fully integrates RPG elements into the game. However, a game that includes so much is bound to be a little complicated, and this where Savage 2 is a bit overwhelming.

Although the game includes a practice mode, a huge step up from its predecessor, there's no straightforward rundown of the classes and their abilities except on the website. The game, which is only available through direct download, does not have any kind of digital user manual or detailed description of abilities. So, people who don't visit the website to study each class are left guessing what icons means and learn about each power through trial and error, which is annoying when it comes to the self destruct powers. There's also no training for the Commander role except by jumping in and learning through doing. The task of trying to figure out which building to put up next can be very stressful when every second means the difference between victory and defeat. Adding to the stress is the fact that players rate the Commander on his performance at the end of the game, so trying to learn the role ends up going on permanent record. Luckily, the Commander's role takes a sort of backseat once the team gains a major advantage. Instead of issuing orders and directing players toward strategic targets, the Commander is relegated to the role of omniscient spellcaster, dropping helpful buffs on allies and weakening foes at opportune times.

Since half the game requires guesswork, jumping into Savage 2 for the first time is an exercise in controlled chaos as Commanders gain their bearings and fighters hack and shoot. Players that have a better idea of the controls and abilities have a major advantage over novices, since they know when to execute the attack, block and interrupt maneuvers to stun opponents during skirmishes. Savage 2's combat system has all but a small number of weapons that require a click per attack, which makes sense for the swords and bows, but needlessly slows down combat when it comes to pistols, staves and shotguns.

Although Savage 2 still has a few bugs to work out, including the fact that the game crashed on us multiple times, gamers get a ton out of the $29.99 asking price, especially since it comes with free online play. The graphics are on par with the mainstream action games, We would have liked to see one or two more game modes besides the two sides going at it until all buildings are destroyed, but it doesn't take away from Savage 2 being an excellent action game.

Our Final ScoreGood

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