Play Either Troops or Commander in Savage 2

Play Either Troops or Commander in Savage 2: A Tortured Soul
Enter an RTS as a soldier--or command as a leader--with this fun online game.

Ian Harac
PC World
Sunday, May 3, 2009; 12:19 AM

Real-time strategy games usually involve an omnipotent commander hustling a bunch of completely obedient drones around a field, gleefully sending them to their death. In Savage 2: A Tortured Soul (free), in addition to being that commander, you can also be a drone. In this interesting online game, the army units are each played by individual players while the overall battlefield structures and economics (gold mines, specifically) are controlled by another player. Each player chooses sides (humans or beasts) and joins into the game.


It's an interesting concept, to say the least. There's a fairly straightforward tutorial, then you log on and find a game to join. I found one, hopped in, and died. Again and again and again. I don't think I was much more than a speedbump, but everyone else around me seemed to know what they were doing. Savage 2 is not a game for careful thought and considered action: Just jump in, target a foe, and start whacking. After you die, you must wait a short period to respawn. Placement of "spawn portals" is crucial; you must set them as close to the enemy as possible, so your reborn troops have only a short distance to run to get back into the fight.

While Savage 2 is not an MMORPG, you can advance yourself by earning experience points, unlocking abilities, and acquiring some items which persist from game to game. You are not locked into a character; every time you spawn, you may choose a different unit to come back as, providing your commander has built the necessary structures to spawn them.

The base game is free; for $10, you can become a full member and unlock some additional character options and access to useful features, though these are not necessary to play and have fun. There is no subscription fee.

Savage 2 is free, fun, and gives you the chance to relentlessly hurl yourself into the meatgrinder of onrushing foes. What's not to love?

The original report is here