Future Publishing


Wrath Unleashed

Author: Mark Walbank
Publisher: Lucasarts
Machine: PlayStation 2 (EU Version)

 
Published in Official UK PlayStation 2 Magazine #44

Wrath Unleashed

For reasons only known to Lucasarts, it decided to make the costumes in Wrath Unleashed the most remarkable thing in this turgid turn-based strategy title. Take the Goddess, Aenna: not only does she boast a name derived from the sound of a dolphin makes during the throes of lovemaking, she also wears the most ridiculous videogame outfit since Red Lotus in Deathtrap Dungeon. Even Voldo (of Soul Calibur II fame) would blanche from trying it on in the fitting room.

Cossies aside, Wrath Unleashed is weak in nearly every department. The premise of gods and demons fighting for domination of the Shattered Realm is banal and, like a thousand previous games, the strategy revolves around harnessing elemental commodities. You take control of one of four deities: Light Order, Dark Order, Light Chaos or Dark Chaos, and each faction has an elemental strength (like water) and an elemental weakness (like fire). Sound familiar?

We were hoping that the real-time combat (instigated when enemies clash on the board) would improve matters, but there are painful loading times before each bout and the battling is insultingly basic. In short, this is an average strategy game further undermined by rubbish action.

Verdict

Graphics 50%
A cliched and unambitious aesthetic

Sound 40%
Voice acting from the School Of Ham

Gameplay 50%
Average strategy and poor action sections

Lifespan 50%
Short one-player, boring in multiplayer

Overall 50%
You have to wonder why Lucasarts bothered. This is a dull franchise that has less chance of taking off than Concorde.

Mark Walbank

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