Review by C.J. Bunce
Twelve years since Amplitude Studios released its game Endless Legend, fans of the the Endless Universe are encountering the sixth game in the series this year. Endless Universe 2 is now finally available on all three key platforms Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S. A fantasy, turn-based 4X strategy video game universe, the action switches from the planet Auriga to the oceanic planet Saiadha in a battle to build empires. For anyone who wants a preview of the new setting and its characters, or anyone who has already climbed aboard, Titan Books has released a visual chronicle of the game, along with insight into the development of its settings, characters, and encounters. The Art of Endless Legend 2, available now here at Amazon, is a visually stunning look at the game that features an in-universe deep dive detailed enough that players could practically use the book to build their own desktop RPG.
Continuing the giant, advanced sci-fi/fantasy extension of empire building games that began with Risk and Axis & Allies, Endless Legend 2 merges building and maintaining a player’s domain with even more focus on tactical combat strategy than earlier games in the franchise. As we found in our review of The Art of Endless Legend here at borg, this book is primarily an in-universe account that mimics the form of Dungeons & Dragons’ core rulebooks. It presents the key characters, like General Natalya Shaparenko and Seneschal Bodor Hadrata. Then it discusses the seven major factions, like the Necrophage and Sandshapers, and the minor factions, including the Blackhammers and Daughters of Bor.
All the fantasy creatures of this sci-fi world come to life in the pages of this book, including concept artwork reflecting how the game’s artists arrived at the final versions found in the game. The myth and magic infused into the environments is explained in the context of gameplay.
This trove includes previously unpublished artwork.
Throughout the book you’ll find sections sharing inspirations behind some of the game’s creations in the words of its designers, Corinne Billon, Hadrien Channac, Aurelian Rantet, Cesar Pham, Aymeric Thevenot, Abigael Giroud, and Flore Lemoine.
Fans can look forward to a gallery of images of key characters and settings.
A must for fans of the game, The Art of Endless Legend 2 is available now in hardcover here at Amazon. Order any edition of the game at your local gameshop or here at Amazon.
