
But given the pedigree of Warlords, you knew that Fawkner, Keating and the rest would produce the goods for gamers. Besides the ill advised venture into full-motion video (that resoundly stupid Old Boney popping up every so often to taunt you), the game lacked a scenario or map editor (though there was a full campaign and a random map generator) and had other failings (simplified and unstrategic vectoring system). It is a stand alone sequel to Warlords 3: Reign of Heroes - a great, though flawed game in its own right (our resident Game Guru, Tim Chown, gave it a Silder Award when he reviewed it last year, citing that "Warlords 3 has enough gameplay to feed a ravenous orc horde). Darklords Rising is one of the very select few. The CD jewel case and the manual sit beside the computer, even while I type these words, taunting me into playing again. It is crack cocaine refined to a purity so great that the game actually talks to you. Warlords 3: Darklords Rising is not just a good game. For those who have weak self-control (or even weak bladders), do not read any further because you too will become ensnared in the cruelty that is the AI of Roger Keating. Bad news is that I can't stop playing Warlords 3: Darklords Rising. Good news is that I am training my body to survive on two hours of sleep, a skill that will come in handy in my geriatric years when my prostate acts up every ten minutes. He just had to go and create the perfect game. And all because of that bastard Steve Fawkner. Once again, I will hear the melodious words of my wife as she wakens, "are you still playing that damn game"? Again I am drawn down the spiral staircase of addiction towards the land of Illuria. Once again, I will see the dawn rise over the skyscrapers.
