MORDOR II
         (RPG, BIG demo downloadable from the Net)

                 Reviewed by Michael Raven

Okay, Mordor II. A follow-up to Mordor, Mordor II is set in the
same place.  For people that missed the original, you venture into
some recently re-opened dungeons to explore, get treasure, kill
evil monsters, (or good ones, depending on how you play) and
attempt not to drown.

Mordor II could have been so easily just 'Mordor I with new
levels'.  Fortunately, the author of the game has added many new
features and made the game much 'deeper'. Now you can venture in a
multiplayer game, set and answer quests in the tavern, have to
pass certain quests to venture up levels...

The way you play it has changed slightly. Before, the graphic of
the dungeon was a pretty little thing to be ignored by players as
they concentrated on the little flashing arrow on the automap.
Now, rather than the character spotting or missing obstacles
depending on their perception, you must look out for them. That
hole in front of you with spikes? That's a pit! Don't walk into
it! Water is now much more of a threat too - you can fall into
puddles, or drop levels into sea or ocean-depths. Items and chests
must also be looked for on the dungeon graphics.

For being runnable on my Pentium 75 (albeit slightly jerkily) the
graphics are excellent, and most of the additions are brilliant
additions too. Just a few problems, I feel. For instance, the
guild have certain quests you MUST pass when you reach a certain
level. You MUST kill an orc when you reach Level 8, things like
that. On the old game, quests could be forfeited, with the player
losing a few levels. Now, the character is stuck, until the wanted
creature or item is found.

Still, this is a worthy addition to the Mordor saga, and anyone
who wants more after completing the original should continue onto
this one.
                              - o -