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Spell Force: The Order of Dawn 魔幻世紀
International distributor: JoWood, Phenomic Product Alternative Tentacles
Local distributor: Digital Xtreme
Platform: Chinese for PC, Online version
Release: February

Designed by Phenomic, Spell Force: The Order of the Dawn has already won accolades in Europe and recently at E3 in the US. It's Chinese-language version is slated for release in Taiwan next month. One of the most remarkable features of this release is that although Spell Force is a stand-alone game, it is not available from main street retailers and can only be obtained online.

This form of distribution for stand-alone games has recently begun to flourish as a countermeasure against piracy and Spell Force is the first to be distributed by the My Game Web site, which was established last December.

According to Digital Xtreme (聯翔數位) Multimedia Affairs Department manager Chao Li-jen (趙立人), combining Role-Play (RPG) and Real-Time Strategy (RTS) in a single game is the dominant trend in game design, and Spell Force's success is due to its ability to toggle between a first person zoom view and a broader strategic perspective of RTS.

Another special feature is the improved interface, which incorporates a new Click and Fight (CnF) system which uses button commands to deal with massed battles in which selection of units and targets can be confusing.

With six-player races and 30 enemy races, incredible magic, massive armies facing off against each other and 13 powerful mages tearing the world in their greed for power, an engaging ongoing storyline and many sub-quests, there is plenty of of variety to tempt even experienced RPG players. The game demo is available at the official Taiwan Web site at: spellforce.mygames.com.tw

Need for Speed: Underground
International distributor: Electronic Arts
Local distributor: EATW
Platform: Chinese for PC, English for PC, PS2, Xbox all available

The release of the seventh generation of Need for Speed puts gamers into the driver's seats of over 20 of the latest models currently to be found on the street. In addition to the latest cars, what differentiates Underground from earlier editions of the game is the improved online racing capability. As an added bonus for Taiwan gamers, EATW has set up a dedicated Chinese-language server, so that locals can enjoy the highest quality connection for online racing.

Compared to racing games available for PS2 and Xbox, Need for Speed: Underground retains the stronger story element of earlier versions, so that gamers need to win prizes to get money together for upgrading their vehicles. All the most lavish upgrades are available. The game makes good use of the hardware technology that is now available, with great attention to detail, even taking into account the different engine sounds of the various vehicles.

Game design includes a wide variety of race formats ranging from road races in which gamers can take advantage of diverse possible routes to straight-track drag racing where everything is down to the quality of the vehicle and your control at the speed limits of each vehicle.

EATW will give gamers a chance to race, as Need for Speed: Underground goes into competition starting at 11am on Jan. 17 at National Taipei Teacher's College, 134 Heping E Rd, Sec 2, Taipei (國立台北師範學院: 台北市大安區和平東路二段134號) Competitors will be racing for a top prize of NT$3,000 and other smaller prizes.

Lord of the Rings: War of the Ring
International distributor: Sierra Entertainment, Vivendi Universal Games, Liquid Entertainment
Local distributor: Bvalley Company Limited (卉谷)
Platform: Chinese for PC

Unlike the EA games based on the Peter Jackson film trilogy Lord of the Rings (LOTR), this game released by Vivendi Universal is a real-time strategy game based on the book. Liquid Entertainment brought in a number of Tolkien experts and game designers to create a game that brings alive the spirit of the book, allowing gamers to take part in the great battles of Middle Earth.

According to game critic Liu Chien-chnag (劉千菖), the design of Sierra's Lord of the Ring is very similar to that of War Craft III,which, in spirit at least, drew considerable inspiration from Tolkien books.

Liu said that the this game targets hardcore LOTR fans, and while the whole Middle Earth cast of creations is present, gamers can only select to be on the side of light and right, or command the armies of the Dark Lord. Unlike the games based on the movie, this is primarily a strategy game and gives you the chance to marshal the forces of good and evil, to fight pivotal battles like the Battle of Helm's Deep to see who will eventually prevail.

Senior gamers may have to focus on enjoying control of the members of the ring fellowships, said Liu, and put aside their concerns about the equal strength and balance of different ethnic groups, which is one of the basic elements of the RTS game.

Dungeon Siege: Legends of Aranna 末日危城:亞蘭納傳奇
International distributor: Gas Powered Games/Mad Doc Software LLC
Local distributor: Microsoft Taiwan
Platform: Chinese for PC
Release: This month

When Dungeon Siege was first released three years ago, it was seen as a 3D version of Diablo, bringing RPG gamers incredible graphics for spells, but a simple interface with diverse options for team play and was seen as a milestone in RPG game design. For those looking for the kind of realism and heroic scenes of Lord of the Rings, the new release of Dungeon Siege, subtitled Legends of Aranna, provides the perfect choice for those long hours over the Lunar New Year.

The extension pack has greatly enhanced the role of mages who have plenty of really cool new spells, and there are also lots of new creations, such as the half-giants, and wonderfully imagined monsters such as the reptilian Zaurask and the cat-like Hassat.
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