Disciples 2 Was Heroes 3's Fiercest Competitor; Darker, Rougher and Almost as Playable

As a seasoned gamer with years of strategy titles under my belt, I found myself captivated by the intriguing world of Disciples 2. This game, while not as polished or as universally acclaimed as its predecessor Heroes, has a unique charm that’s hard to ignore.

Heroes of Might and Magic 3 is a phenomenon. A game that is always alive, with a strong gameplay foundation, further developed by dedicated fans. It’s so universal that it’s almost like the go-to board game when you want to add some variety to a geeky party. Horn of the Abyss ensured that Heroes will stay with us for ages to come, despite strong competition such as Songs of Conquest. Will the upcoming new Heroes change this? I doubt that.

In the past, there were periods when nothing was set in stone. Despite Heroes 4 being well-made, it still had issues and didn’t live up to the acclaim of part three, which weakened the series as a whole. At that time, Strategy First delivered a powerful blow that came very close to matching the popularity of Heroes 3, and without a doubt, surpassed both Heroes 4 and other notable games from the same era like Age of Wonders 2 and Etherlords. Disciples 2: Dark Prophecy not only developed concepts within the genre but did so with such finesse that it temporarily outshone all other turn-based strategy games that combined RPG elements.

Disciples 2 – the dark cousin of Heroes

The striking relative who pursued his fleeting moment in the spotlight was that individual. What truly set Disciples 2 apart from its competitors was its ominous, dense ambiance. The artistic style evoked memories of Brotherhood of The Wolf and Diablo, blended with influences from Central and Eastern Europe as well as Scandinavia. Even the most picturesque territories were depicted in a harsh, melancholic manner. Artists responsible for maps, characters, units, sound, music, animation worked tirelessly to create a distinctive atmosphere. Instead of a storybook tale, we have a chilling narrative spun around a campfire. A tale about monsters who sometimes are justified. About the final righteous individuals who strive to achieve anything in a decaying empire. About the biblical-scale revenge and the betrayals.

In the sequel titled “Disciples 2“, the narrative picks up where the original left off, but with a time leap of several decades. The storytelling is commendable, even though it’s set against the backdrop of turn-based battles. The ambiance is key, and the characters are distinctively memorable, as each campaign seems to be connected in some way. Initially, you encounter four main factions: The Legions of the Damned (these are demons), The Undead Hordes (as the name suggests), The Mountain Clans (dwarves), and The Empire (humans).

Each party acts based on what they consider sound reasons – self-preservation, power, and allegiance to higher ideals. The screenwriters skillfully crafted a few intriguing plot turns. Dark sagas continue to unfold in the expansions titled Servants of the Shadows and Guardians of Radiance. In the third expansion, The Ascendancy of Elves, this prominent faction debuts with its unique city design, technologies, troops, and another poignant narrative.

Disciples 2 – the same, but different

Initially, it appears that the gameplay of Disciples 2 bears resemblance to either Heroes 3 or 4. On the surface, both games share a strategic map for unit control, resource collection, battle orders, and exploration. In the city, we engage in research and expansion activities. In combat, we transition to another screen to counter enemy forces. However, it’s the intricate details that set Disciples 2 apart and have given it its own distinct character.

In the context of Heroes 4, the main character actively engages in battles and serves as a transferable unit across scenarios. Prior to combat, spells acquired or created from other factions are employed, while during conflicts, only potions and artifacts are utilized. The unique aspect of this combat system is that it appears more stationary; we don’t move the units but attack within their range. Each battle field can contain a maximum of 6 units, which may seem modest, but they prove to be anything but ordinary or unspectacular!

Initially, each design crafted to instill admiration succeeds. These are awe-inspiring figures, including warriors, witches, and various other entities. Most notably, they stand apart from one another, and we grow fond of them as their storylines unfold, regardless of whether we assign them names or not. This attachment isn’t limited to regular leveling up – each character possesses its unique evolution tree and evolves based on the structures we build in the capital, though it can be controlled so they advance while remaining at a lower level.

In this game, the strategy seamlessly blends role-playing elements with economic ones, encouraging our interest in both city progression, which can vary based on the situation, and the attachment we form towards a potent team we’ve nurtured throughout the entire campaign. Unfortunately, the supporting characters don’t transfer between quests like the main heroes do.

Instead of capturing other factions’ territories, we focus on building specific structures in our own capitals to strengthen them. This strategy serves not only to fortify ourselves but also to eventually eliminate our opponents from the game. Additionally, we reinforce other cities with stronger defenses and station more soldiers there. These cities serve multiple purposes: they help us recruit additional units and heroes, expand our territory passively, and extend our influence gradually, like a wave spreading outward. However, it’s only by capturing territories that we can gain access to valuable resources such as gold mines and mana, which are essential for purchasing spells.

Many people found it displeasing because it limits tactical flexibility and army customization, but it enhances unity – you need to determine if this trade-off fits your playstyle. I endured this inconvenience and carried on gaming. Diplomacy functions adequately, albeit in a simple manner, allowing us to buy temporary truces from potential invasions (occasionally, achieving the mission objective is crucial).

Disciples 2 – always second, but still great

Essentially, Disciples 2 shares a number of intriguing tactical elements reminiscent of Heroes, yet it manages to carve its unique path by presenting these mechanics in an engaging manner that keeps you playing “one more turn.” While there are similarities, Disciples 2 maintains a darker atmosphere compared to its popular counterpart, making it less casual and relaxing. For some players, this, along with the limitation of only using their own units and not being able to recruit enemy troops after capturing a city, adds an element of unpredictability to the gameplay experience.

Here’s another way of expressing it: Upon encountering “Disciples 2”, I found an abundance of gaming pleasure. In all honesty, “Heroes” shines more as a multiplayer experience, whereas “Disciples 2” offers a more solo-friendly atmosphere in a turn-based setting when you’re looking to pass some time independently.

How to play Disciples 2 today?

Purchasing the game is straightforward on Steam, where it’s offered in the Gallean’s Return edition that comes with two expansions for just $5.99. Additionally, you can find the game on GOG, offering the Gold edition which includes all three expansions at $9.99. But until November 5th, you can enjoy an 80% discount and grab it for only $1.99.

After years of playing, the only thing that annoys me is probably the long turn-loading time (it’s not terrible, but they could speed it up). However, the only real issue is that the discussed strategy occasionally malfunctions and refuses to run on Windows 10 (and likely on 11 as well). The guide from the GOG forum helped me.

If you’re up for a bit of file tinkering – just a few minutes, mind you – then brace yourself for an extraordinary turn-based strategy experience that harks back to the glory days of Heroes 3, in my opinion even surpassing Songs of Conquest. Sadly, Disciples 3 fell short of expectations and was a less polished and cohesive sequel. Fast forward to 2021, Disciples: Liberation felt like a tasty yet unoriginal spin-off, offering a simplified tactical RPG feel. It didn’t quite fit in with the series, but it’s still a game worth playing. However, the magic of Dark Prophecy and its expansions remains unmatched within the Disciples universe. So, if you fancy giving it a go, this is your chance. Perhaps you and your buddies will find yourself hooked too!

2024-11-04 14:32

Disciples 2 Was Heroes 3’s Fiercest Competitor; Darker, Rougher and Almost as Playable

Disciples 2 – the dark cousin of Heroes

Disciples 2 – the same, but different

Disciples 2 – always second, but still great

How to play Disciples 2 today?

Read More

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