Shifters

Shifters, also known as Shifters of Might and Magic, is a 2002 action role-playing game developed and published by The 3DO Company for the PlayStation 2 in 2002. Set in the fictional Might and Magic universe, it is a direct sequel to the PlayStation 2 incarnation of Warriors of Might and Magic.

Shifters
Developer(s)The 3DO Company
Publisher(s)The 3DO Company
Director(s)Josh Cloud
Producer(s)Robert Daly
Designer(s)
  • Justin Mateo
  • Fred Selker
  • Colin Minson
  • Kai Craig
  • John Cloud
Programmer(s)Sean Craig
Artist(s)
  • Stuart Elkington
  • Shao Wei Liu
  • Eric Chyn
  • Ian Castaneda
Composer(s)Barry Blum
SeriesMight and Magic
Platform(s)PlayStation 2
Release
  • NA: June 17, 2002
Genre(s)Action RPG
Mode(s)Single-player

Gameplay

The player controls Alleron, the lead character from Warriors of Might and Magic. Within this game Alleron must defeat the mysterious horde of flesh and metal invaders who are replacing the villages with steam-powered cities. Unlike the previous game, Alleron has gained the power to shapeshift and can assume 24 different creature forms, such as a humanoid ram and a griffin-style creature.

Alleron travels through six different worlds in which he must do battle with members of a specific race. Often, these areas end in boss battles, although not always. Along the way, there are many "secret" areas that are accessible only to particular forms, such as areas blocked off by bars or grates (which can only be accessed in Genie form after having cast the Gaseous Form spell). No matter the choices of forms, however, the main game can always be completed.

The combat system has multiple ways of approaching enemies as there are different combos that can be executed based on which buttons are pressed and when they are pressed. The different forms and the different weapons have different combos, some of which can end in an attack that may send the enemies flying. Many of the new forms come with a new spell as well, oftentimes making a form that lacks in the physical fighting area more useful, some of which are the spells which can be used to gain access to previously inaccessible areas which often have secrets or treasures. Spells useful for combat also can be gained, allowing evening of certain circumstances should the odds seem out of the player's favor.

Plot

Just beyond your own peaceful world is a universe ruled by chaos and unimaginable evil. The fabric of both universes has always kept your world safely protected from its reach...until now. An enemy of the kingdom has stumbled across a dangerous and ancient artifact. The artifact's power to unlock a gateway between your world and chaos has been released. A great paradox has begun.

Now, your world has begun to change. Bizarre deadly creatures of metal and flesh roam the lands, their origin a complete mystery to those who survive their attacks. Odd contraptions and structures of steel and steam have begun to replace once quaint medieval villages. The order of the very universe is shifting... and somehow, you know there is a connection between these bizarre changes and your own newfound power to shapeshift.

Chaos has begun to ravage the kingdom, and the very magic which preserved the order of existence is fading. It's up to you to find the artifact and face the madman before the magic that holds the universe together is lost forever.

Battle all-new enemies, travel to new worlds, and develop your strengths. Only you can reverse the paradox and prevent the total destruction of both worlds!

Reception

The reception of this game was mixed to negative. Gameinformer gave the game a 6.8 out of 10, GameZone gave it a 5.9 out of 10, saying "the side quests were mostly silly and I didn’t want to do them." PSX nation gave the game a 5.0 out of 10. they all criticized the camera controls, the enemy AI and said that it was too easy. The Metacritic score is currently at 37/100, which means negative reviews.

gollark: I can AR a bit myself since I'll be at my computer, but still.
gollark: Yes, those are cave times.
gollark: Are people available then or did I pick a terrible time again?
gollark: 93lZZ (in 4 hours)ToD 15:55:20 (it might be a bit earlier, accurately checking is hard)Unfogging at 15:50:20ARing at 15:52:50 (2mins30 before ToD)If you are a silly 12-hour person, that's 3:50pm and onwards.This is all cave time.
gollark: What raffle?

References
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