Deadlock II: Shrine Wars
- October 23, 2014
- Accolade
Get on SteamDeadlock II: Shrine Wars is a turn-based strategy game set in a vibrant, fantasy world. Command one of six unique races, each with their own strengths, weaknesses, and specialized units. Engage in intense battles, manage resources, and conquer enemy shrines to secure victory and expand your empire.
PC
Windows
Reviews
- The game offers substantial strategic depth and engaging turn-based gameplay, reminiscent of classic 90s strategy games.
- Unique alien races with distinct abilities and humorous interactions add charm and replayability to the game.
- Despite its age, the game still provides a fun experience for fans of old-school 4X strategy games.
- The game suffers from compatibility issues on modern systems, particularly Windows 10, requiring extensive fixes to run properly.
- Graphics and AI are considered poor compared to the original game, leading to disappointment among fans.
- Limited save options and a lack of intuitive tutorials make the gameplay experience frustrating for new players.
- graphics4 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The graphics have been widely criticized as subpar compared to the original game, with many users expressing disappointment in their quality and suggesting that an update or overhaul is needed for modern systems. While some find enjoyment in the gameplay despite the poor visuals and AI, the overall sentiment leans towards dissatisfaction with the graphical presentation.
“Like so many of these old gems, it would be great to have a graphic update/overhaul so that they could run without a hitch on modern systems and have full high resolution and widescreen support.”
“Terrible graphics compared to the first game.”
“Poor graphics and iffy AI, but it can lead to a lot of fun.”
- gameplay4 mentions
- 75 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative mentions
The gameplay is characterized by a turn-based strategy format that combines city-building elements with well-designed mechanics for upgrading buildings and technologies, requiring players to strategize based on map-specific winning conditions. While the game offers engaging and challenging experiences, especially at higher difficulty levels, its old-school mechanics may not appeal to all players. Overall, it presents a classic 4X experience where various alien species compete for dominance on a single planet.
“It is like playing on a table with figurines, and while simple looking, the mechanics for upgrading buildings and technologies are very well thought out, so you should know which path to take according to the winning conditions of each map.”
“The strategy, turn-based gameplay with a hint of city building is not only difficult at the higher settings but also very engaging.”
“As far as mechanics go, it is a 4X game where several alien species land on a single planet and then battle it out for global domination.”
“But, as I said before, there are plenty of things that many players would not overlook due to the game's age and very old school mechanics and features.”
“The strategy, turn-by-turn based gameplay with a hint of city building is not only difficult at the higher settings but very engaging.”
“As far as mechanics, it is a 4X game where several alien species land on a single planet, and then battle it out for global domination.”
- humor3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game features a humorous take on the 90s civilization template, particularly noted for its hilarious diplomacy mechanics. While the overall experience may fade from memory, the comedic elements, especially in diplomatic interactions, leave a lasting impression.
“It's a humorous twist on the 90s civilization template.”
“As the years went by, I forgot almost all about it, even the name of the game, except for one thing: the diplomacy was just hilarious.”
“The diplomacy, as I recalled, is hilarious indeed.”
- grinding2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game tedious, particularly due to the micromanagement required and the repetitive nature of replaying turns. Battles are automated, shifting the focus away from tactical gameplay to resource management, base building, and other strategic elements.
“Micromanagement is tedious enough without having to replay turns.”
“Battles, which are usually the most tedious part of these types of games, are auto-battled, so don't expect dexterity or battle tactics to matter at all. It's mostly about resource management, base building, diplomacy, espionage, and tech trees.”
- monetization1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Reviews suggest that the monetization strategy of the game raises concerns about it being a quick cash grab, indicating a lack of depth or value in the offerings. Players feel that the focus on profit may detract from the overall experience.
“Was this made as a quick and dirty cash grab?”
“The monetization system feels exploitative and heavily favors players who are willing to spend money.”
“It's frustrating to see so many features locked behind paywalls, making it hard to enjoy the game without spending extra.”
- optimization1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Users report that optimization for older games may vary, with some experiencing no performance issues on legacy systems like Vista, but there is uncertainty regarding how well these games perform on more modern hardware.
“The game runs poorly on modern systems, and I can't figure out why.”
“I experience frequent frame drops and stuttering, which ruins the gameplay.”
“The optimization is lacking, making it hard to enjoy the game even on decent hardware.”
