Savage 2: A Tortured Soul, the new sequel of S2’s Savage: The Battle For Newerth has reached its beta testing stage and we at Game Almighty are here to give you all the details about this upcoming title.

So first of all, what is Savage 2? It might be easier to wrap our minds around this game by first taking a look at its predecessor, Savage: The Battle For Newerth. Straight from the S2 Games website, Savage is a game “set in a unique fantasy world eons from now where Humans and Beasts battle violently for their very existence.” One of the best features about it is that it presents an entirely new gaming blend offering the player a choice of playing the game as an RTS (real-time strategy) or as an RTSS (real-time strategy shooter). Carrying on in this tradition, Savage 2 does not disappoint for those who wish to play one game a variety of ways.

Most games are easily classified into specific types, such as role-playing game, puzzle game, etc. However, Savage 2 is unique in that it is a hybrid of three specific genres. Is it a real-time strategy? Is it a first-person shooter? Or is it a role-playing game? Actually, it’s a unique blend of all three. This fantasy/sci-fi game available for computers offers players the opportunity to play one game in a number of styles.

There are a few decisions you have to make that help you find your role in the game. There are two factions to choose from: the Legion of Man or the Beast Horde. A third race playable by both factions, called the Hellborne, is not a starter race but is available for play later in the game. Once you have chosen your faction, it’s time to choose your class. Fighters utilizing swords, guns, and magic are a popular choice. Supporting characters such as healers and builders are also essential for having a balanced game and ensuring a solid win. Siege units like behemoths (elephant-like creatures able to take out whole structures) and battering rams are available to those who want more power. Two teams of anywhere from five to 35 players are formed to war against each other for dominion of the map and each is lead by the final position of power: the commander.

If you’re looking to fill your real-time strategy cravings, the look no further. In Savage 2 the option to be a commander offers all the building and organizational skills that any self-respecting RTS wouldn’t be caught dead without. As the teams are formed, the commander is selected from among them and in this role you view the world from above the map. Throughout the game the commander builds defenses and upgrades to support the team. The commander will build support structures near the command center (the prime target within the game) and buildings such as garrisons and sub lairs will serve as additional spawn points for each team. Once the base is established, the commander will make sure that the structures are well defended and may use buffs and debuffs on players as needed.

If running around and shooting things is more your speed, then you will definitely want to look into the FPS-style fighter units. If you choose to be a fighter, you can pick from scouts, savages, and legionnaires. Even the supporting classes of builder and chaplain, while good for, well, building and healing, come with melee and ranged weapons so they can hold their own if they are attacked. For the beginning gamer, I found the savage and legionnaire characters the easiest to handle. Toggling between melee weapons and ranged was fairly easy, as were the controls for moving and fighting. The scout, with his sneak attacks and bow, were a little more advanced, as were the supporting characters. However, it’s easy to see that a good group will need all of these classes in order to provide proper support during a game.

Overall Savage2: A Tortured Soul has a lot to offer both beginning and more experienced gamer alike. The graphics are rich in detail and very life-like, providing a great backdrop for running around and shooting other players or building defenses for your base. Dabbling in a multitude of roles introduces different aspects of game play and engages each player in a number of ways. The flow and structure of the game is reminiscent of other real-time strategy and first-person shooter greats such as Warcraft III and Counter-Strike while being able to hold its own as a fantastic new addition to the S2 Games collection.