Etherlords II

 PC
Metascore
78

Generally favorable reviews - based on 17 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 17
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 17
  3. Negative: 0 out of 17
Buy Now
Buy on
  1. Play Magazine
    100
    With crisp graphics and addictive turn-based gameplay, Etherlords II is an unexpectedly strong adventure/RPG/strategy title. [Dec 2003, p.92]
    All this publication's reviews
  2. Computer Games Magazine
    90
    The animations are superb, despite the great quantity of creatures and heroes that appear during the campaign. The sound effects augment the animations perfectly. [Jan 2004, p.73]
    All this publication's reviews
  3. IGN
    80
    If you like "Magic: The Gathering" and "Heroes of Might and Magic", then you should get a kick out of this - if you're willing to devote serious time to an occasional, nonsensically difficult battle.
  5. ActionTrip
    80
    Sound effects and music are well done as is the extra environmental samples that play during combat and as you travel around the map.
  6. Thunderbolt
    80
    A perfect example of what happens when the core of the game overweighs the plot, and quickly takes over it in importance.
  7. GameSpot
    80
    Easily recommendable not only to anyone with an interest in collectible card games, including fans of the original, but also to those who enjoy turn-based strategy games with a twist.
  8. eToychest
    80
    Basically the same as the first game, but with enough improvements to warrant a second outing.
  9. Gamers' Temple
    77
    Too bad its strategic and RPG elements fizzle out.
  10. GameSpy
    75
    It has all of the trappings of a bad RPG: extremely linear gameplay, over-the-top voice acting, frustrating camera angles, and a ho-hum storyline. What saves it, and what ultimately makes it a fun game to play, is the terrific combat model combined with stellar graphics.
  11. PC Gamer
    74
    Good for fans of collectible card games, bad for fans of anything else. [Jan 2004, p.94]
    All this publication's reviews
  12. VideoGamesLife
    72
    Etherlords II, on the one hand, benefits from having an excellent combat mechanism lying within the game. Unfortunately it takes a nose-dive because the game that surrounds it isn’t worth a toss.
  13. Yahoo!
    70
    You have to sort of force yourself to play in the beginning. Putting in that time pays off in the end, though, much like some of those art-house flicks that go from head scratcher to heartstring tugger in just a couple of hours.
  14. RealGamer
    70
    At first glance, Etherlords II looks pretty much like an RPG title, but take a few moments to play and you’ll soon discover an absorbing turn based strategy game similar to "Magic: The Gathering."
  15. Cheat Code Central
    70
    With an eight-player tournament mode to look forward to after the single-player mode you're bound to get your money's worth out of this sequel.
    All this publication's reviews
  16. Computer Gaming World
    70
    I really enjoyed this game. The string of battle after battle can get a little tedious after a while, and the lack of any compelling story line keeps you from getting completely sucked into the game. But it's a great antidote for those who were disenchanted by "Magic." [Dec 2003, p.130]
    All this publication's reviews
  17. GameZone
    68
    A wonderfully visual game that is bogged down by a bad dialogue delivered with equally bad vocal acting.
  18. Game Chronicles
    55
    The premise of Etherlords II can be diluted down to a simple card game concept; one person plays their cards and then the other until somebody wins. By nature, it is a repetitive game and I think the game designers overestimated the fun factor.

Awards & Rankings

72
#72 Best PC Game of 2003
57
#57 Most Shared PC Game of 2003

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.3

Generally favorable reviews- based on 74 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 58 out of 74
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 74
  3. Negative: 7 out of 74
  1. Steeldude
    Apr 15, 2015
    9
    In my opinion, the best card-game on the PC, because it actually has a LONG and GOOD campaign mode where you gather ingredients and fightIn my opinion, the best card-game on the PC, because it actually has a LONG and GOOD campaign mode where you gather ingredients and fight enemies. It is basically a mix of a strategy game and a card-battle simulator (the closest game I can think of to this game is King's Bounty)
    The only problem I have with this game is that at the beginning of each campaign, the game is really hard until you get more cards. After that, it's a great fun from start to finish!    … Full Review »
  2. Sghignifiss
    Dec 2, 2014
    9
    This is one of my favorite games. You can say the campaign is too linear, you can say the story is not interesting, I would agree with that.This is one of my favorite games. You can say the campaign is too linear, you can say the story is not interesting, I would agree with that. But those become small details in front of the graphics and game concepts behind them. This is a real card game like MTG could be, with the benefit of great graphics during battles. It could seem difficult to play and learn... well, it is. I've played this at the time of its first release and still now I desire to play it again. Once you finish the campaign you still have to master your deckbuildng skills, and THERE is where the game really shines. So many possibilities, so many strategies, so many level of customization. I've enjoyed playing so many styles with this game I hardly found similar games with the same level of diversification between decks. I've to admit there are a couple of "unbeatable" decks, but by the time you discover them you'll have played (and enjoyed) a ton of hours.… Full Review »
  3. igolrum
    Jun 4, 2021
    10
    Compared to the first game, this one switched genres and there isn't really an overworld strategy part to it anymore. It does however now haveCompared to the first game, this one switched genres and there isn't really an overworld strategy part to it anymore. It does however now have an interesting story and lore and it still has pretty challenging fights and interesting build your fighting deck mechanics.

    A bit of a hidden gem, really.    … Full Review »
See all user reviews »