View source for Lands of Lore: Guardians of Destiny

{{Short description|1997 video game}}
{{Infobox video game
|title  = Lands of Lore: Guardians of Destiny
|image = Lands of Lore II - Guardians of Destiny.PNG
|developer = [[Westwood Studios]]
|publisher = [[Virgin Interactive Entertainment]]
|designer = Jeff Steven Fillhaber<br>Jesse Clemit
|programmer = Scott K. Bowen<br>Bill Petro
|artist = Rick Parks
|writer = Rick Gush
|composer = [[David Arkenstone]]<br>[[Frank Klepacki]]
|series =
|released = {{vgrelease|NA|September 29, 1997<ref>{{cite web|first=Harley|last=Jebens|url=http://headline.gamespot.com/news/97_09/29_guardians/index.html|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/19980119052148/http://headline.gamespot.com/news/97_09/29_guardians/index.html|title=Guardians of Destiny Ships|website=[[GameSpot]]|archivedate=January 19, 1998|date=September 29, 1997|accessdate=August 7, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | author=PC Gamer staff | date=September 29, 1997 | url=http://www.pcgamer.com/news/news-1997-09-29.html | title=Now Shipping | website=[[PC Gamer]] | publisher=[[Future US|Imagine Media]] | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19980218070456/http://www.pcgamer.com/news/news-1997-09-29.html | archive-date=February 18, 1998 | url-status=dead | access-date=December 5, 2019 | quote=From Westwood, Lands of Lore 2...}}</ref>|EU|October 17, 1997<ref>{{Cite news |date=October 17, 1997 |title=Software - All the Latest Releases |pages=10 |work=[[The Guardian]] |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/260866786/?terms=%22dark%20forces%202%22&match=1 |access-date=December 11, 2023 |quote=''Lands of Lore 2''//New £34.99}}</ref>}}
|genre = [[Role-playing video game|Role-playing]]
|modes = [[Single-player]]
|platforms = [[DOS]], [[Microsoft Windows]]
}}
'''''Lands of Lore: Guardians of Destiny'''''{{efn|Known as '''''Lands of Lore II: Guardians of Destiny''''' in some European countries}} is a 1997 [[action role-playing game]], second installment of the ''Lands of Lore'' series, a sequel to ''[[Lands of Lore: The Throne of Chaos]]''. It brought about a drastic change in gameplay style from its predecessor, opting away from the original's D&D turn-based style in favor of more action elements. A sequel, ''[[Lands of Lore III]]'', was released in 1999.
==Gameplay==
Similar to its contemporary ''[[Realms of the Haunting]]'', ''Guardians of Destiny'' is a first-person [[adventure game]] which, while featuring occasional combat, revolves around the solving of puzzles. Like in most adventure games, the player can interact with objects and people by clicking on them, collect items into an inventory, and use items from their inventory on environmental objects. However, some puzzles also require the player to cast spells, use their melee attack, or drag objects and even enemy corpses into specific locations.
Navigating through the environment also often involves [[Platform game|platforming]] challenges, some of which can be undertaken only in one specific form. The player character, Luther, has a curse which causes him to randomly change between three forms: human, lizard, and beast. Later in the game the player acquires spells which can be used to change form at will if in human or lizard form; once in beast form Luther must wait to change randomly back to human form, since the beast cannot cast spells. The lizard form is small, allowing it to enter tunnels inaccessible to other forms, but preventing it from crossing even shallow streams of water without drowning. It can run faster and cast spells more easily than other forms. The beast form is tall and heavy, such that it can make only mild jumps, but in some places its size allows it to step across gaps that the other two forms would have to jump over, wade across the deepest body of water, it's also immune to poison and very strong. The human form is an average of the other two in most respects, but is the only form which can equip weapons or armor.
Combat works similarly to ''The Throne of Chaos'', except that the player's party consists of just one character, and most enemies will not attack the player character unless provoked. Luther can use a melee attack, fire a bow at range, use items, and cast spells at four different levels. Each spell has a fifth level which is only usable if Luther consumes an ancient stone or has acquired the Mantle of the Ancients, which occurs at a set point near the end of the game. Spells draw on a limited pool of [[magic point]]s, which, like Luther's health, is gradually recovered over time.
==Plot==
The plot follows Luther, son of Scotia, who is imprisoned by the soldiers of Gladstone and accused for being a member of the Dark Army. Luther is cursed to be [[Shapeshifting|morphed into]] either a monster or a lizard, thanks to which he manages to escape. While the Draracle guides him, Dawn and Bacatta (from the previous game) initially chase, and later aid him. Luther must go on his quest while avoiding his many pursuers.
The player controls Luther on his quest to solve the curse. Randomly he will change forms, gaining the respective advantages (higher strength with the beast, or increased magical ability with the lizard), and the opportunity to enter small spaces and discover secret areas). The power to change forms willingly is eventually bestowed upon the player in the game.
There are a myriad of locations to explore. They include, but are not limited to, the Draracle's Caves, the Draracle's Museum, the Huline Jungle, the Savage Jungle, The Dracoid Cemetery and Ruins, the Claw Mountains, the Huline Temple, the Ruloi Citadel, and the wondrous City of the Ancients.
The player can choose between two branches, good or evil, which then evolve into seven [[multiple endings|possible endings]]. Endings include when Luther loses the final battle with Be'lial and the land is overrun with nasties, when "good" Luther triumphs and the Draracle discovers Luther in bed with Dawn, and when "bad" Luther triumphs, shown from behind raining destruction on the land as a powerful god. Other endings include not being quick enough to escape from the Armory in Belials Laboratory, which shows Belial smiting the Huline Village with an energy blast, being killed by the Draracle when Luther kills Belial on the Evil ending branch, and being seduced and killed by Dawn before the fight with Belial if the player acted badly towards her during the game. Going to the entrance of the starting cave a second time, at the beginning of the cave results in being killed by the soldiers stationed there, a different cinematic can play, depending on the form Luther is current in at the time of his death.
==Development==
Because role-playing titles such as ''[[The Elder Scrolls II: Daggerfall]]'' had recently attained commercial hit status, Westwood opted to "make ''Lands of Lore 2'' one of its flagship titles for the latter half of 1997", according to ''[[Next Generation (magazine)|Next Generation]]''.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.next-generation.com/news/032597i.chtml | title=Preview: Lands of Lore 2 | website=[[Next Generation (magazine)|Next Generation]] | publisher=Imagine Media | date=March 25, 1997 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19970605175532/http://www.next-generation.com/news/032597i.chtml | archive-date=June 5, 1997 | url-status=dead | access-date=February 23, 2020}}</ref>
==Reception==
===Critical reviews===
{{Video game reviews
| GR = 74%<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.gamerankings.com/pc/197756-lands-of-lore-guardians-of-destiny/index.html | title=Lands of Lore: Guardians of Destiny for PC | website=[[GameRankings]] | publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190530065224/https://www.gamerankings.com/pc/197756-lands-of-lore-guardians-of-destiny/index.html | archive-date=May 30, 2019 | url-status=dead | access-date=November 1, 2021}}</ref>
| Allgame = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref>{{cite web | author=House, Michael L. | url=http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=16008&tab=review | title=Lands of Lore: Guardians of Destiny - Review | website=[[AllGame]] | publisher=[[All Media Network]] | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141116052810/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=16008&tab=review | archive-date=November 16, 2014 | url-status=dead | access-date=November 1, 2021}}</ref>
| CNG = 7/10<ref>{{cite web | author=Ham, Tom | date=November 4, 1997 | url=http://www.gamecenter.com/Reviews/Item/0,6,0-1257,00.html | title=Lands of Lore Guardians of Destiny | website=Gamecenter | publisher=[[CNET]] | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000816095856/http://www.gamecenter.com/Reviews/Item/0,6,0-1257,00.html | archive-date=August 16, 2000 | url-status=dead | access-date=November 1, 2021}}</ref>
| CGSP = {{Rating|3.5|5}}<ref name=cgsp>{{cite web | author=Yans, Cindy | year=1997 | url=http://www.cdmag.com/articles/007/027/lol_review.html | title=Lands of Lore: Guardians of Destiny | website=[[Computer Games Magazine|Computer Games Strategy Plus]] | publisher=Strategy Plus, Inc. | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050209070725/http://www.cdmag.com/articles/007/027/lol_review.html | archive-date=February 9, 2005 | url-status=dead}}</ref>
| GameRev = C+<ref>{{cite web | author=Cooke, Mark | date=October 1997 | url=https://www.gamerevolution.com/review/33056-lands-of-lore-2-guardians-of-destiny-review | title=Lands of Lore 2 [sic]: Guardians of Destiny Review | website=[[GameRevolution]] | publisher=[[CraveOnline]] | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040408221321/http://www.game-revolution.com/games/pc/rpg/landsoflore.htm | archive-date=April 8, 2004 | url-status=live | access-date=November 1, 2021}}</ref>
| GSpot = 7.9/10<ref>{{cite web | author=Sengstack, Jeff | date=October 22, 1997 | url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/lands-of-lore-guardians-of-destiny-review/1900-2535782/ | title=Lands of Lore: Guardians of Destiny Review [date mislabeled as "May 1, 2000"] | website=[[GameSpot]] | publisher=[[Red Ventures]] | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050120162256/http://www.gamespot.com/pc/rpg/landsofloreguardiansod/review.html | archive-date=January 20, 2005 | url-status=live | access-date=November 1, 2021}}</ref>
| NGen = {{Rating|3|5}}<ref name=nextgen>{{cite magazine | url=https://archive.org/details/NEXT_Generation_37/page/n159/mode/2up | title=Lands of Lore: Guardians of Destiny | magazine=Next Generation | publisher=Imagine Media | issue=37 | date=January 1998 | page=159 | access-date=November 1, 2021}}</ref>
| PCGUK = 83%<ref name=pcgameruk>{{cite magazine | author=Butcher, Andy | url=http://www.pcgamer.co.uk/games/gamefile_review_page.asp?item_id=644 | title=Lands of Lore II | magazine=[[PC Gamer|PC Gamer UK]] | publisher=[[Future plc|Future Publishing]] | issue=51 | date=Christmas 1997 | pages=119–20 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020523171331/http://www.pcgamer.co.uk/games/gamefile_review_page.asp?item_id=644 | archive-date=May 23, 2002 | url-status=dead}}</ref>
| PCGUS = 87%<ref name=pcgamerus>{{cite magazine | author=Sullivan, Keith | url=http://www.pcgamer.com/reviews/616.html | title=Lands of Lore: Guardians of Destiny | magazine=PC Gamer | publisher=Imagine Media | volume=5 | issue=1 | date=January 1998 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19991209225242/http://www.pcgamer.com/reviews/616.html | archive-date=December 9, 1999 | url-status=dead}}</ref>
| PCPP = 92%<ref name=powerplay>{{cite magazine | author=Wildgoose, David | url=https://archive.org/details/PCPowerplay-017-1997-10/page/n49/mode/2up | title=Lands of Lore II | magazine=[[PC PowerPlay]] | publisher=[[nextmedia|Next Media Pty Ltd]] | issue=17 | date=October 1997 | pages=50–51 | access-date=November 1, 2021}}</ref>
| PCZone = 92%<ref name=pczone>{{cite magazine | author=Cunningham, Jamie | url=https://archive.org/details/PC_Zone_56_November_1997/page/n115/mode/2up | title=Lands Of Lore: Guardians Of Destiny | magazine=[[PC Zone]] | publisher=[[Dennis Publishing]] | issue=56 | date=November 1997 | pages=116–17 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110126035321/http://www.computerandvideogames.com/3140/reviews/lands-of-lore-guardians-of-destiny-review/ | archive-date=January 26, 2011 | url-status=live | access-date=November 1, 2021}}</ref>
}}
The game received above-average reviews. Keith Sullivan of ''[[PC Gamer|PC Gamer US]]'' called it a "very good game", but stated that its engine was dated in comparison to ''[[Jedi Knight: Dark Forces II]]'' and ''[[Quake (video game)|Quake]]''.<ref name=pcgamerus /> Cindy Yans of ''[[Computer Games Magazine|Computer Games Strategy Plus]]'' commended its "excellent" storyline and the characters, and a "rich" world to explore, but was critical to its FMV sequences, "awkward" controls and "dated" graphics engine.<ref name=cgsp />
A reviewer for ''Next Generation'' called ''Lands of Lore'' a worthy sequel, but also as part RPG, part adventure. The writer concluded that, while the game "may have its quirks", it is "an entertaining romp" for those willing to overlook the issues.<ref name=nextgen /> In ''[[PC PowerPlay]]'', David Wildgoose hailed it as "perhaps the most complete game" he had played and praised its mixture of genres. He believed that it was "a new level" of quality for Westwood.<ref name=powerplay />
''[[PC Zone]]''{{'}}s Jamie Cunningham called the game "another Westwood masterpiece" while acknowledging some issues in the gameplay.<ref name=pczone /> Andy Backer of ''Computer Game Entertainment'' summarized the game as "flawed" and "frustrating" but "brilliant" at the same time.<ref>{{cite magazine | author=Backer, Andy | url=https://archive.org/details/cge-05/page/68/mode/2up | title=Lands of Lore: Guardians of Destiny | magazine=Computer Game Entertainment | issue=5 | date=November 1997 | page=69 | access-date=November 1, 2021}}</ref> Writing for ''[[PC Gamer|PC Gamer UK]]'', Andy Butcher said that the game offers hours of fun despite its "patchy" nature and "uninspiring" graphics.<ref name=pcgameruk />
In a negative review, ''[[Computer Gaming World]]''{{'}}s [[Scorpia (journalist)|Scorpia]] called the game a "horror" and considered not an RPG, adventure or an action game, but a "patchwork" of all three.<ref>{{cite magazine | author=Scorpia | url=http://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/issues/cgw_163.pdf | title=Bad Lands | magazine=[[Computer Gaming World]] | publisher=Ziff Davis | issue=163 | date=February 1998 | pages=231, 233–34 | access-date=November 1, 2021}}</ref>
===Sales===
The game claimed #11 in the U.S. on [[PC Data]]'s computer game sales rankings for October 1997.<ref name=oct1997>{{cite web | author=GamerX | date=November 26, 1997 | url=http://www.gamecenter.com/News/Item/0,3,1331,00.html | title=October's Best-Sellers | website=Gamecenter | publisher=CNET | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19990210083600/http://www.gamecenter.com/News/Item/0,3,1331,00.html | archive-date=February 10, 1999 | url-status=dead | access-date=February 23, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.next-generation.com/news/120497e.chtml | title=MS Flight Sim Tops PC Data Charts | website=Next Generation | publisher=Imagine Media | date=December 4, 1997 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19980204090955/http://www.next-generation.com/news/120497e.chtml | archive-date=February 4, 1998 | url-status=dead | access-date=February 23, 2020}}</ref> A writer for ''[[CNET|CNET Gamecenter]]'' noted that the game was part of a trend of role-playing successes that month, alongside ''[[Ultima Online]]'' and ''[[Fallout (video game)|Fallout]]''.<ref name=oct1997 /> The game was absent from PC Data's top 20 by November.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.next-generation.com/news/123097a.chtml | title=Cyan Takes Top Two | website=Next Generation | publisher=Imagine Media | date=December 30, 1997 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19980204085151/http://www.next-generation.com/news/123097a.chtml | archive-date=February 4, 1998 | url-status=dead | access-date=February 23, 2020}}</ref>
On [[:de:Media Control|Media Control]]'s computer game sales charts for the German market, the game debuted in second place in the latter half of October.<ref>{{cite magazine | author=PC Player staff | title=Verkaufs-Charts | language=de | magazine=[[PC Player (German magazine)|PC Player]] | publisher=Future Verlag GmbH | date=January 1998 | page=72}}</ref> Holding this position in the first half of November, it proceeded to chart in the top 10 through the end of 1997.<ref>{{cite magazine | author=PC Player staff | title=Verkaufs-Charts | language=de | magazine=PC Player | publisher=Future Verlag GmbH | date=February 1998 | page=68}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine | author=PC Player staff | title=Spiele-Charts | language=de | magazine=PC Player | publisher=Future Verlag GmbH | date=March 1998 | page=54}}</ref> During 1998, the game remained in the top 20 through the end of February,<ref>{{cite magazine | author=PC Player staff | title=Spiele-Charts | language=de | magazine=PC Player | publisher=Future Verlag GmbH | date=April 1998 | page=64}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine | author=PC Player staff | title=Spiele-Charts | language=de | magazine=PC Player | publisher=Future Verlag GmbH | date=May 1998 | page=76}}</ref> and placed 40th and 45th in May. At that time, it had maintained an unbroken 28-week streak in the top 50.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.vud.de/charts/chart1.html | title=Charts: CD-ROM Spiele über DM 55 | language=de | website=Verband der Unterhaltungssoftware Deutschland | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19980614022936/http://www.vud.de/charts/chart1.html | archive-date=June 14, 1998 | url-status=dead | access-date=February 23, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine | author=PC Player staff | title=Spiele-Charts | language=de | magazine=PC Player | publisher=Future Verlag GmbH | date=August 1998 | page=96}}</ref>
===Awards===
During the [[1st Annual Interactive Achievement Awards|inaugural Interactive Achievement Awards]], ''Guardians of Destiny'' was a finalist for the [[Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences]]' "[[D.I.C.E. Award for Role-Playing Game of the Year|PC Role-Playing Game of the Year]]" award,<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.interactive.org/html/award/awardupdate.htm | title=The Award - Updates | website=[[Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences]] | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19980615090128/http://www.interactive.org/html/award/awardupdate.htm | archive-date=June 15, 1998 | url-status=dead}}</ref> which ultimately was given to ''[[Dungeon Keeper]]''.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.interactive.org/html/award/awardwin98.htm | title=The Award - Winners | website=Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19980615090115/http://www.interactive.org/html/award/awardwin98.htm | archive-date=June 15, 1998 | url-status=dead}}</ref> It was also nominated for the "Best RPG" award at the ''CNET Gamecenter'' Awards for 1997, which went to ''[[Diablo (video game)|Diablo]]'';<ref>{{cite web | author=Gamecenter staff | date=January 28, 1998 | url=http://www.gamecenter.com/Features/Exclusives/Awards97/Off/ss07a.html | title=The Gamecenter Awards for 1997! (RPG, Part 2) | website=Gamecenter | publisher=CNET | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000824080618/http://www.gamecenter.com/Features/Exclusives/Awards97/Off/ss07a.html | archive-date=August 24, 2000 | url-status=dead | access-date=November 1, 2021}}</ref> and was a runner-up for ''[[Computer Gaming World]]''{{'}}s 1997 "Strategy Game of the Year" award, which ultimately went to ''[[Fallout (video game)|Fallout]]''.<ref>{{cite magazine | author=CGW staff | url=http://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/issues/cgw_164.pdf | title=CGW 1998 Premier Awards (Role-Playing Game of the Year) | magazine=Computer Gaming World | publisher=Ziff Davis | issue=164 | date=March 1998 | page=77 | access-date=November 21, 2021}}</ref> The game won the award for "RPG" at ''[[PC PowerPlay]]''{{'}}s 1997 Game of the Year Awards.<ref>{{cite magazine | author=PC PowerPlay staff | url=https://archive.org/details/PCPowerplay-020-1998-01/page/n29/mode/2up | title=Game of the Year | magazine=PC PowerPlay | publisher=Next Media Pty Ltd | issue=20 | date=January 1998 | pages=30–31 | access-date=November 14, 2021}}</ref>
{{clear}}
==Reviews==
* ''[[:fr:Backstab|Backstab]]'' #8<ref>{{cite web | url=https://archive.org/details/backstab-magazine-french-08/page/n35/mode/2up | title=Backstab Magazine (French) Issue 08}}</ref>
==References==
;Notes
{{notelist}}
;Footnotes
{{reflist}}
==External links==
* {{moby game|id=/lands-of-lore-guardians-of-destiny}}
{{Westwood Studios}}
[[Category:1997 video games]]
[[Category:DOS games]]
[[Category:Fantasy video games]]
[[Category:Games commercially released with DOSBox]]
[[Category:Role-playing video games]]
[[Category:Single-player video games]]
[[Category:Video games about reptiles]]
[[Category:Video games developed in the United States]]
[[Category:Video games scored by Frank Klepacki]]
[[Category:Virgin Interactive games]]
[[Category:Westwood Studios games]]
[[Category:Windows games]]