There is only one question I ask myself when dealing with orcs: how do I want to kill them? I could make them run into some tar pits and let floor scorchers handle them while I pick off the remaining orc with my Crossbow; or lay down some spring traps and push the rest of the orcs off a cliff with my bladestaff; or place some tar pits at an intersection and drop some boulders on them with a boulder chute. Decisions, decisions, decisions…
Traps Galore!
Traps that drop boulders from above! Traps that launch a volley of arrows into the backs of your enemies! Traps that suck orcs into a void! So many traps that do so many different things! Fred Jones Jr. would squeal if saw all of these traps. As weird as it may sound, it’s a lot of fun just watching the traps continuously murder orcs . Every time a group bunches up together in my tar pits, it just feels awesome when I know I won’t have to deal with them myself.
I’ve said this many times before and I’ll say it again: I love traps so much. It’s not how they kill orcs that attracts me, it’s the idea of how can I use them to their full potential. For example, take an ordinary spring trap. Obviously it can be used to fling orcs off the cliff. Great, but what if there was no cliff? Would the Spring Trap be rendered useless in closed maps? Of course not! There’s plenty of other uses for them like flinging them into a grinder or simply just using them postpone their advancement. That’s why I love them; they’re all multipurpose tools in orc-killing. Their uses are only limited to your own imagination! It’s brilliant how different combinations of traps can work together to create something completely new and different. For me, that’s one of the things that keeps me playing. I’ll come up with a new plan and I’ll try to put it in motion on one of the levels. Maybe it will work, maybe it won’t. You never know.
To Co-Op or Not to Co-Op
Orcs Must Die! 2 was advertised as a co-op game and rightfully so because most of the levels were clearly designed for two players. Initially, the levels are easy to handle for a single player, but as they progress, it can become overwhelming. Which is definitely great for people who love a good challenge, but not so much for a casual game like Orcs Must Die! 2. Playing with a buddy makes the game a bit easier, hitting that sweet spot where it’s not too hard nor too easy.
The orcs will still put up a good fight which is why it’s good to come up with a good plan. It’s generally a good idea to figure out how you and your partner will take on the horde. Some people prefer finding common pathways orcs tend to take and build traps along them. Others may try to split up the entrances and take care of their own traps. Although the game contains mindless killing, there is an element of strategy in how to kill them between two people.
Trespassers Will Be Shot, Survivors Will Be Shot Again
There are tons of different kinds of orcs to kill. A lot of them can be quite difficult to deal with. It’s not the way to kill them that’s hard, it’s more of how do I kill them before they kill me. That’s something I find really cool. When I normally play a game and some foes walk through the door claiming they’re bosses all the while throwing rocks at me, it’s kind of ridiculous. Instead of having bosses, Orcs Must Die! 2 utilizes stronger enemies that tend to pack a punch. They are intimidating but not to the point of being annoying.
Most games today will give the player the advantage over an enemy by putting in a QTE or inconspicuously placed explosive barrels to kill them but instead Orcs Must Die! 2 requires actual skill and trap utilization. It’ll never be just one strong enemy, it will a group three or five that will totally walk through your traps and kill you. They may come in hordes dropping poison bombs over you or marching in thick armor and armed with big burning maces. Assuming they get past the traps, they’re sure to put up a fight. It’s wonderful, really; I can’t remember the last time I had trouble taking on enemies.
Conclusion – Is It Worth Your Money?
Orcs Must Die! 2 nails everything a game should have. The concept of setting traps and coordinating their placement with a partner is brilliant; it provides a bit of strategy in a game that would normally be full of mindless action. There’s replay value in coming up with new strategies to deal with the orcs, which is great. The difficulty of the levels is just right for co-op; neither easy nor hard. For $15, I would say it’s well worth its price. Orcs Must Die! 2 has struck the spot where other games couldn’t with its great concept and ability to provide a worthwhile challenge for its players.
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