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Ok, the first one sucked, but the second one rocks!
Well we all remember the horror that was watching evil wizard Profion chew through scenery left and right. The evil of molded latex armor spray painted silver. Of mirror polished flat metal swords. Of the blue lips (the horror! the horror!).
This one they finally got off their butts and did right. We have a party (starts at 5, but loses one pretty quickly to a white dragon attack!) of adventurers. We got a cleric, a rogue, a barbarian, a wizard, and a fighter. Lords a plenty you can even tell what classes they are and their behavior fits well.
We got one recurring character from the first movie. And this time he doesn't wear the blue lipstick. This time he is quiet and menacing and confident and has a bit of a swagger. Yep it's our ole pal Damodar cursed to remain a corpse creature by Profion who is haunting the world. And lo and behold, he finds a black orb of evil power that will awaken an edler wyrm black dragon. Not a happy day for a kingdom that killed him earlier.
The same kingdom from the first movie appears, with a few different scenery changes. We still have the ruling council of mages (which true to stereotype need to get out more) and a nice class of fighters to guard the town. Too bad the bad guy has more magical power and the guards are all out fighting somewhere else.
Enter the current lord Berek. Leader of the band of adventurers out to save the kingdom. With his cleric of a very familiar nature god! There are references to 3 D&D modules in here! Check out the Ghost Tower of Iverness, Expedition to Barrier Peaks, and Shrine of the Kuo-Ta references! They even have mention of two demons. Check out the map for one, and the reference to Jubilex making the evil wizard viewing pool for the other!
You have a female barbarian, with a nice introduction where you think they are talking about a nasty looking guy only to have a lady step in and whip his butt, and a rogue that is neutral evil at best, yet strangely fun. The rogue and the barbarian conversations are neat and it's a blast watching them become friends. The elven female wizard doesn't say much but uses plenty of lightning bolts...
For enemies you got liches, ghosts, white dragons, black dragons, lizardmen, goblin traps, and some flying nasties thrown in also.
Biggest surprise was the fighting. The sword fights seemed to be way more realistic and nasty than in most other movies! And the magic attacks and other effects are good.
Straight up, this is a highly entertaining movie! You as a gamer will quickly pick up the world. I lament that some of the acting is kind of strained, because this is the sad little brother of a big budget suckfest that deserved way more funding. If this is what they can do with no-name new actors and a little cash give the writer and director some King-Kong sized cash and watch the awesome LOTR beating movie that will apear!
In case you can't tell, I recommend it heartily and liked the show. Glad I bought it at Wal-Mart for 19 dollars... well worth the price.
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