Warcraft 2: Tides of Darkness, initially launched in 1995, has just undergone its first balance update in over 20 years, with adjustments to units such as Ogre Mages and enhancements to Archers and Axe Throwers.

Blizzard recently remastered Warcraft 2 (along with its predecessor) as part of the new Warcraft Remastered Battle Chest to commemorate the franchise's 30th anniversary. Beyond merely updating the game's graphics and incorporating contemporary quality-of-life features, Blizzard is also revisiting gameplay balance.

The majority of the changes in the new Warcraft 2: Remastered patch 1.0.1 pertain to resource costs and ability durations for various units. Significant modifications have been made to the upgrades for Archers and Axe Throwers, which now research faster, deal more damage, and cost less gold and (in most instances) lumber to acquire. Paladins and Death Knights have also received minor buffs.

One substantial change that players seem to appreciate is the nerf to the Ogre Mage's Bloodlust ability, which has long been considered overpowered for Horde players and lacked a viable Alliance counterpart. This ability doubles the damage and piercing damage of a selected unit for a specified duration, enabling Bloodlusted units to effortlessly cut through heavily armored enemies. Post-patch 1.0.1, Bloodlust's duration has been reduced, its mana cost increased, and the double-damage buff is now applied after armor reduction rather than before. While still highly valuable, the ability is no longer as omnipotent as it once was.

These balance adjustments mark the first significant gameplay updates to the cherished RTS since the release of patch 2.02 for the 1999 Battle.net version of Warcraft 2. Although the exact release date for patch 2.02 is unclear, given the Battle.net version's October 1999 launch, it likely arrived a few months later or sometime in 2000. This makes the Warcraft 2: Remastered balance changes the first for the RTS in approximately 24 or 25 years.

Beyond the balance changes, the update also reintroduces the game's classic Victory/Defeat screens and animations, adds an Alliance menu for online multiplayer, introduces countdowns to matches in multiplayer lobbies, and more. Classic game storefront GOG recently announced that Blizzard would be removing the non-remastered versions of Warcraft 1 and 2 from sale on December 13. Despite their impending delisting, GOG stated it would continue to offer tech support for both games to ensure compatibility with future versions of Windows.

Source link:   https://www.gamespot.com