Swords & Soldiers II

Just like the first game, Swords & Soldiers II is a 2D side-scrolling real-time strategy game played from a side view. The gameplay is similar to the first title, but instead of three campaigns for each race, there is now a single campaign where the strengths and weaknesses of each race are introduced gradually. The Vikings are still present, but the Chinese and the Aztecs have been replaced by Demons and Persians. Campaign missions have a main objective and secondary ones. Between levels it is possible to play optional open battles where a custom army can be defined. Between missions there are many story sequences and the story is told in flashbacks by the viking Brokenbeard.

Missions are always one-on-one, with a faction on each side of the level. The main goal is usually to defeat the other faction. This is done by sending out different types of unit that move forward and act and fight on their own. Some levels now have branching lanes. To train units, gold needs to be collected from treasures or non-combat workers in mines. There are now sometimes airdrops with a large reward (both gold and mana), but then the workers may have to be sent into a dangerous zone. Instead of the large horizontal menu near the top of the screen in the first game, units are now selected from a radial menu in the top left corner. Different types of units are unlocked gradually and upgrades can be unlocked by spending gold on research in a tech tree. It is also possible to build defensive towers or structures that generate mana. Mana also generates over time, but slowly.

Players can interfere by having super units execute different types of spells that require mana as a separate resource. The units for each race are entirely different as well as the overall gameplay. Vikings have the most powerful spells (singing to boost morale, lighting sent down by the god of thunder), Demons rely often on towers and Persians are a mix of both, with some particular types of units such as invisible Desert Stalkers that only become visible when they attack, a cannon that summons genies or the bribe skill that lets the player take over enemy units in exchange for resources. Each type of unit can be countered in some ways by other races and there are many possible strategies and ways to invest resources.

The game supports competitive local one-on-one multiplayer games with custom armies not limited to a single race and skirmish matches played against the AI. In local games one player uses a regular controller and plays on the TV while the other player uses touch and views the screen on the Game Pad.