Endless Legends 2, developed by Amplitude Studios and published by Hooded Horse, is the latest installment in the ENDLESS™ Universe, following its predecessor, Endless Legends. This turn-based fantasy strategy game places players in the role of a civilization leader, tasked with navigating various challenges to outshine your rivals.
Exploring the World of Endless Legends 2
Diving into the Endless franchise is always an adventure, and Endless Legends 2 is no exception. While the initial learning curve may seem daunting, the comprehensive tutorial effectively guides new players through the intricacies of the gameplay mechanics.
During my gameplay, I experimented with two distinct factions: the Kin of Sheredyn and the Aspects. Both factions evoke nostalgia reminiscent of my time playing Endless Space 2, each featuring unique mechanics, objectives, abilities, and benefits.
The Kin of Sheredyn specialize in formidable defensive strategies, utilizing powerful buffs and protective shields. Conversely, the Aspects thrive on mobility, allowing units to traverse large territories within a single turn once the Coral spreads effectively.
Dynamic Gameplay Mechanics
The gameplay certainly promotes diverse strategies, as each faction demands a unique approach. This variety ensures that players remain engaged, experimenting with different tactics throughout their playthroughs.
At the heart of Endless Legends 2 are the core mechanics that start with city establishment. Players begin by creating a City, which serves as the foundation for developing various Districts to produce essential resources: Food, Industry, Dust, Science, and Influence. These five basic resources form the backbone of your empire.
In addition to these basics, players can discover six advanced resources. So far, I have identified four: Titanium, Glassteel, Lazualin, and Hyperium. These resources not only enhance District upgrades but also improve Units and serve additional purposes, though they require a few turns to find.
Understanding the Tidefall Mechanic
A standout feature of the game is the Tidefall mechanic, which I consider to be its most captivating aspect. During periods of Sunshine on the islands, exploration is encouraged as players seek out Curiosities and other treasures. However, once exploration space is exhausted, it’s time to prepare for the Monsoon phase.
During the Monsoon, players receive buffs that enhance unit movement, allowing for strategic gathering of resources and exploration of Curiosities. Once the Monsoon concludes, the Tidefall phase presents new regions ripe for exploration and conquest.
It’s worth noting that there can be considerable downtime between these events, particularly if a player has a strong army or limited landmass to explore. This aspect isn’t necessarily negative; rather, it provides an opportunity to strengthen your forces and strategize for future expansions. In one of my sessions, I only encountered the Aspects AI after 110 turns, showcasing the game’s deliberate pacing.
Performance and Sound Experience
My experience with Endless Legends 2, courtesy of Hooded Horse, was on a robust system featuring:
- CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 5800X
- GPU: RTX 3070 8GB
- RAM: 32 GB
Despite being a demo version, the performance was impressive. I encountered minor bugs, but they did not detract from the overall experience, as the gameplay remained smooth and free from noticeable lag. The sound design, from unit interactions to the atmospheric background score, is exceptional, adding depth to the gameplay experience.
Final Thoughts
With a rich environment for building, defending, and expanding territories, Endless Legends 2 certainly has much to offer. While I only managed to play until Turn 125 before my session concluded, the experience was enriching. Despite the work still needed for completion, the current demo version operates commendably. Although some bugs are present, they pose little concern for players eagerly awaiting the game’s full release. I am keen to dive deeper and immerse myself in this universe for many more turns.
Game Details
Reviewed on: PC
Platform: Microsoft Windows
Developer: Amplitude Studios
Publisher: Hooded Horse
Release: TBA