SpellForce updated demo

Editors' ReviewDownload.com staffJune 15, 2015This ambitious strategy game attempts to break away from the standard real-time gameplay of collecting resources, building infrastructure, and creating armies to crush your opponents. Instead, SpellForce offers extensive role-playing elements that result in a promising hybrid fantasy game with tremendous graphics.The plot is similar to other real-time fantasy games: 13 mages have split the known world into many parts, and six races must battle for control of these new lands. However, unlike other real-time games, SpellForce depends heavily on character and skill development. Central characters are created by distributing skill points among nine combat abilities, and several subclasses of magic ensure that these characters will have numerous avenues for growth. Also, a persistent world allows for realistic day/night cycles and continuing developments even after your central character leaves an area.Graphics are spectacularly detailed, and the orchestral score contributes to the mythical atmosphere. The interface is necessarily filled with a multitude of options and menus; although the chaos is handled well, the learning curve is still high. A tutorial offers a basic introduction to the game, and the demo features one challenging single-player map and one level for online multiplayer action. We did experience significant loading delays on start-up and some frame-rate slowdown during large battles or movement over complex terrain.