First I like to apologise to the guys at Topware Interactive and Bethesda for my shamefully tabloid headline, because the matter of fact is that “Two-Worlds” and “Oblivion” are not really going to compete against each other. Oblivion is coming out later this month, while Two Worlds is still early in development. We can only thank Bethesda for raising the bar for these type of RPGs, so that developers like Topware Interactive, the guys currently developing ”Two Worlds”, will be motivated to go the extra mile, which they obviously have if what I saw on their website today is anything to go by.

According to Topware Interactive, “Two Worlds” combines the extremely dynamic and sophisticated combat system with the meaning and freedom of exploration exceeding the accomplishments of other games of the genre. Their goal is to deliver a superior Role Playing Game to the PC and Xbox 360 market where players have a real chance to shape the game world with their actions - to an extent that has yet to seen in other productions. The game will feature a strong, non-linear storyline, mind blowing graphics, and stunning combat sequences. Can you feel the hype? However, these guys do seem to have good reason to lay it on thick, and until they are proven wrong, I will shamelessly believe every word they say.

The game claims to offers a unique opportunity to influence the game world - unseen, to this scale, in other Role Playing games. Freedom of choice (like freedom to join or betray various organizations) and the importance of every decision are the core mechanisms to evoke the sense of meaningful play.

Depending on the way that a problem is solved, the player gains or loses their reputation in certain organizations, various options are being closed or opened, quests are offered and new locations are unlocked. For example, a player must decide whether to help a city hold off the invasion of orcs or to secretly open the gates and let the invaders in. The latter decision will result in an onslaught and the take over of the city by the barbaric hordes. The next time the player visits this location, it will be populated and managed by orcs, unless the human army arrives and tries to liberate the city. The world lives its own life, but the player has the power to change it. The challenge lies in finding the right "strings" and skilfully "pulling" them and complete quests and will also be rewarded by different factions accordingly for the results of their actions.

To see what Topware Interactive means by mind-blowing visuals I suggest you take a look at these undoctored screens

http://212.227.97.174/zuxxez/2w/screens/1024/0303061219062W_Shot006_1024.jpg

http://212.227.97.174/zuxxez/2w/screens/1024/0303061214372W_Shot004_1024.jpg

http://212.227.97.174/zuxxez/2w/screens/1024/0303061213422W_Shot003_1024.jpg

http://212.227.97.174/zuxxez/2w/screens/1024/0303061213082W_Shot002_1024.jpg

http://212.227.97.174/zuxxez/2w/screens/1024/0303061212352W_Shot001_1024.jpg

http://212.227.97.174/zuxxez/2w/screens/1024/030306121136TwoWorlds04_1024.jpg

http://212.227.97.174/zuxxez/2w/screens/1024/030306121041TwoWorlds03_1024.jpg

http://212.227.97.174/zuxxez/2w/screens/1024/030306121001TwoWorlds02_1024.jpg

http://212.227.97.174/zuxxez/2w/screens/1024/030306120454TwoWorlds01_1024.jpg

They also offer something they have called Moveshots on their site, to give a better impression of how the game will look in-game. A moveshot involves a large number of screenshots in quick succession. 50 to 500 pictures are taken “live” out of the game and combined into a short movie with 25 pictures per second. In contrast to trailers, no post processing or blendes are used. Thereby, the gamer gets a realistic impression of the in-game graphics.

Click here to check out the Moveshots

Key Features

- Offering a freedom of choice unseen in other Role Playing Games. The world literally comes to life as it immediately reacts to the player's actions and changes accordingly -offering new and exciting challenges.

- Strong, non-linear storyline. Players can shape their own story by choosing the path of conducting the main conflict and resolving meaningful side-quests.

- Spectacular and dynamically choreographed fights. The combat system combines intuitive steering, tactical challenges and movie-like visual experiences.

- Free and unlimited character development. Players can experiment with different careers and even reverse their former choices with the help of "career changers".

- Unique magic system. The Players are allowed to assemble their own magic spells.

- Animals to be ridden on. Players can travel and fight on various animals from horses to tamed lizards and beasts.

- A choice of traps and snares are at the Player's disposal making the gameplay both rich and flexible.

- Huge variety of items to be found. Randomly generated pieces of equipment, thematic sets and combined items offer the space to experiment and satisfy the need to collect.

- Wide range of beautifully rendered terrains: from high mountains to seashores and deep caves with all of the locations featuring ultra sharp texturing and stunning design.

- Hyper-realistic tree physics and sophisticated weather system make the world come to life as has never been seen before.

- Advanced Artificial Intelligence that manages group behaviour of large virtual communities.

- Up to 8 players in the multiplayer mode.

- Symphonic music to make the experience more emotional and memorable.

- Extensive usage of Pixel Shader 2.0 and 3.0, HDR, multiple materials and unique shadow engine to ensure the best visuals possible.

- Support of Multi CPUs and Multicore CPUs, SLI and CrossFire Technology

“Two Worlds” is still early in development so the developers should have plenty of time to further improve the visuals, not that they really need to in my opinion, but they are still probably working with improving the game engine. If the game will be able to compare to Oblivion as a whole is yet to be seen, but I wish the guys at Topware Interactive the best of luck and I am really looking forward to follow the development of “Two Worlds”.

For more information about this very promising RPG I suggest you visit the official website at http://www.2-worlds.com