Dark Reign 2

 PC
Metascore
77

Generally favorable reviews - based on 26 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 17 out of 26
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 26
  3. Negative: 0 out of 26
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  1. PC Gameworld
    93
    In a few choice words, this game kicks Asteroids!
  2. Computer Games Magazine
    90
    One of the most compulsively playable titles to hit stores this summer. It’s arguably the best traditional RTS released in over a year, and indisputably one of the most attractive.
  3. Eurogamer
    90
    The length of the game might seem a little short for some of the more dedicated RTS players out there, but then remember that "Homeworld" only had 17 missions!
  5. Daily Radar
    88
    Arguably the PC strategy game of the year to beat.
    All this publication's reviews
  6. Gamer's Pulse
    87
    "Dark Reign 2" gave me everything I was expecting: solid gameplay, great graphics, and a fun way to kill several hours.
  7. Da Gameboyz
    87
    Absolutely spellbinding graphics, the sound isn't spectacular, but gets by.
    All this publication's reviews
  8. Electric Playground
    85
    Puts its aging competition to shame with its polished visuals and offers a challenging, though sometimes frustrating, single-player experience.
  9. GameSpy
    85
    A good game with very cool camera options and great use of a 3-D engine but it could have used something a little more original in the gameplay area to truly set it apart from the rest.
  10. Game Over Online
    82
    By far the game's greatest fault is the unit pathfinding. Units spend a lot of time jostling one another when trying to move even across open ground or water.
  11. GameSpot
    81
    A solid, balanced, and very polished game - which is why it's all the more unfortunate that its gameplay closely follows an otherwise unoriginal and limited formula for real-time strategy games: Gather resources, amass troops, and attack your enemy.
  12. CheckOut
    80
    If the glowing gameplay hasn't already enticed you, the splendid, fully-3D graphics should.
    All this publication's reviews
  13. IGN
    80
    I can't help think that a lot of great technology was wasted on what's ultimately a boring and predictable design.
  14. All Game Guide
    80
    The complete package of visuals, audio and gameplay is worth checking out if you're a fan of RTS. My only gripes are the slightly dumb AI and somewhat shoddy controls but those aren't enough to dampen the experience.
  15. GamePro
    80
    With its spectacular graphics, awesome sound, and easy-to-use interface, "DR2" is a perfect example of how to make a great 3D real-time strategy game, but the gameplay may be too familiar for gamers who have grown tired of the genre.
  16. Adrenaline Vault
    80
    It is without a doubt the best looking RTS title to date, and with its super camera system is destined to be the benchmark which other forthcoming games in the genre look to for guidance.
  17. ActionTrip
    78
    What impressed me the most, however, were the units. They are detailed and varied, especially the infantry - Each type of infantry looks different, moves and shoots in a specific way.
  18. Game Revolution
    75
    Fans of 3D strategy could do much worse.

Awards & Rankings

58
#58 Best PC Game of 2000
61
#61 Most Discussed PC Game of 2000

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
6.9

Mixed or average reviews- based on 20 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 20
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 20
  3. Negative: 4 out of 20
  1. hwanin
    Sep 17, 2021
    8
    I played a lot with this title when I was a teen.
    It's just the run-of-the-mill RTS game with some unusual game mechanics.
    For example, if    I played a lot with this title when I was a teen.
    It's just the run-of-the-mill RTS game with some unusual game mechanics.

    For example, if I remember the resource here was simply the water that could be "extracted" from wells.
    In order to cripple enemy's supply there was water contaminator unit that could "poison" the water source. Unusual method in comparison to other games' resource management and tactics.

    The graphics and controls were all great of its age/era.
    I don't remember its sounds and story, but these must have been at least alright if I have such good memories like I do have.

    I bought it at GOG to relive the old memories of the game, but strangely the GOG release did not run properly under Win7 Pro (there was some graphics glitch that made the game impossible to play).    … Full Review »
  2. Cavemaximus
    Aug 8, 2021
    4
    Been a long time since I played this game, but I remember it bored the hell of out me. Played a lot of RTS games too.
  3. KrisB.
    Apr 2, 2008
    7
    Well balanced single player campaign caters to noobies to serious RTS strategists, on and offline multi is good, quite a good looking RTS for Well balanced single player campaign caters to noobies to serious RTS strategists, on and offline multi is good, quite a good looking RTS for its time. DR2 loses points however due to slow game speed, more lack of a game speed bar at all, very small unit and build trees.… Full Review »
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