by L.L.Ortiz

Created on: April 22, 2008   Last Updated: April 27, 2008

Grab your magic wand and brush up on your spell casting, it's time to get medieval! RUNES OF AVALON 2 finds the player tasked with saving their once peaceful kingdom from the evil clutches of the sorcerer Morganna. Helping you along the way is the enchanted Evelyne who gives you tips and encouragement as you progress through the mystical landscape.

The gist of the game is a series of puzzles based on a grid system. Runes must be aligned vertically or horizontally in matching colors in order to fill a container with magical power in an allotted amount of time. This sounds simple but the puzzles get increasingly more difficult and some contain obstacles such as rocks which can't be moved. Luckily, you have at your disposal magic spells which are obtained by successfully completing challenges throughout the game. These spells do everything from vaporizing runes from the board to changing runes of one color to another. There are also magical runes which, when matched, release spells of their own to help you out. As a nice compliment to the puzzles are other mini-games like hidden picture scrambles and matching games. The quest is the most fun and challenging aspect however.

The graphics in RUNES OF AVALON 2 are top notch. From the beautifully rendered backgrounds to the swirling flames and sparkles of magic spells being released, there is no shortage of eye candy. There is a nice variety in the different boards to play on ranging from lush country sides to dark, and menacing castles. The interface is intuitive and easy to use and the controls are smooth and simple. The celtic sounding music compliments the mystical theme and provides an atmosphere of magic and wonder. Spells make distinct sounds and the voices in the game are crisp and believable.

My only complaints about the game are that sometimes the goals aren't clear and some puzzles seem impossible until you figure out the specific strategy needed to beat it. That being said, the game is definitely challenging and addicting. I bought a copy for myself after the demo expired. This game is a great escape from boring office work. Don't tell my boss though. Overall, I would give this game a 4 out of 5.

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