Sacrifice

It's hard to find folks nowadays who remember this remarkable triumph in gaming history, and harder still to find those who fully acknowledge the unprecedented quality and value Sacrifice had. Though this masterpiece fell through the cracks and it never got the opportunity it deserved to reshape the video game "industry" in a positive direction, it still deserves praise and recognition . . . and, perhaps, some day it will get what it deserves most of all: a second chance. Though subject to a number of bugs that were never patched due to a dying developer, the solid gameplay, bizarre (but VERY fitting) art direction, excelsior voice work and sound, brilliant map editor, and (of course) the striking and poignant story more than make up for the little bugs here and there (mostly in multiplayer). The one biggest complaint I hear time and time again is the difficulty. It's true this game has a VERY sharp learning curve. The difference between the tutorials and first level(s) compared to the first time you are pitted against an AI-controlled wizard is jarring. The one tip I can offer to new players: master the Teleport spell. It's the only spell that AI wizards can't use, and is your best friend for defence. And defence is really key here! When the enemy is bold and tries to attack you, take out his wizard and Manahoars first, then reap the benefits by converting the fallen to your side. Without traditional resource mongering in this game, a solid line of defence will get you a lot further than it would in standard RTS games. If things are STILL too hard for you, edit the campaign in the provided Scapex map editor. You can modify maps so you have MORE than enough Souls and creatures to win. It's cheap, and frankly it's cheating, but if that's what you need to unlock the amazing story, then do it. Just don't expect multiplayer to be so forgiving. Buy this game! Send your support to Shiny and let them know if you loved this game! Help resurrect Sacrifice!

great game. Overlooked when it came out...but it's top notch. Great voice acting too!

it's a pitty the servers are not supported for multiplaying anymore but the idea behind the game and making it true for a 2001 game with those graphics and playability, I give it 5 stars I guess this game was underrated on it's time

Sacrifice provides a rare example of a fantasy world that is not just a clone of Tolkien's Middle Earth. The environments, creatures and spells are lavishly unique. Okay perhaps weird would be a more appropriate word. It's not a game that takes itself too seriously and is made all the better because of this. Sacrifice defies convention in every way imaginable. Having mercilessly and conventionally slain hordes of orcs, goblins, trolls, gnolls, dwarves and elves, it is refreshing to finally get to drop a giant cow on top of my freakish foes. It's not often that action and real time strategy are merged so seamlessly and so effectively. Sacrifice kind of marked the birth of a new genre that mainstream developers have yet to fully cultivate. The gameplay is wonderfully enjoyable and eminently original. I've never played another game quite like Sacrifice. It is a shame that similar games just don't exist, but equally it leaves Sacrifice as a shining example of what fantasy games should be.

That is the most unique and unforgettable game I have ever played. There were many others that competed for the title of the game of my lifetime, but... none of them has made me install it again after few months and finish it again to recall the feeling of being powerful mage, the entity that can shutter the earth, evoke a tornado or even turn everything around into smoldering ashes by summoning a volcano. And again. And again, again... 'Sacrifice' is a game that possess a very unusual graphic style, that cannot be omitted - the thing that catches player's attention the most is the appearance of the monsters a player can summon on battlefield. Grotesque, unique, like taken from a nightmare. Also the way they behave is... interesting - for example the creatures that gather fallen enemies and bring them to player's altar, where their souls are purified in real 'danse macabre'. What is more, the very game mechanism, the way of playing, is very simple, no one would have difficulties on getting used to this - and starting enjoying watching amazing battles between wizards as a one of the units, a real king amongst pawns of chess - all thanks to third person view. Highly recommend. Give it a try and you will see that it is unforgettable experience.