Amongst all these top-notch titles Myth stood alone, as the only RTS game to truly deliver something totally different, something we had never seen before. But Myth: The Fallen Lords wasn’t without its flaws. In fact, much like what happened to the original Warcraft, gamers flooded Bungie with countless ideas and suggestions for a sequel. The original Myth garnered a five-star rating and a Reviewer’s Choice Award from the Adrenaline Vault, and yet we could still compile a lengthy list of things we wanted changed, added, and improved. A meager thirteen months after the game’s release, Bungie has given us their answer — Myth II: Soulblighter.

And what an answer it is. Soulblighter picks up about sixty years after the destruction of Balor at the Great Devoid. Brought back are the classical animated films, the first one’s depicting the final events of The Fallen Lords. Throughout the game these films play an active role in enhancing the story, and as in the original, are the best ever seen in a strategy game. It is said that idle minds are tools of the devil, and the years of prosperity have dulled the people’s senses, and left them vulnerable. Soulblighter, one of Balor’s lieutenants, has survived. He has been lying in the wake of dreams, mounting an army of undead, waiting for just the right time to strike — and that time is now.

If you’re unfamiliar with this world of undead lords, don’t worry — Bungie has some of the best storyboard writers around. Their flare for the dramatic will draw you into this magical world with ease. To help matters even more, the entire game is narrated by Geoffrey-Chartlon Perrin, who again earns my praise as the best voice in the business. The setup for Myth II is fantastic. A well-done introduction sequence, accompanied by an improved musical score, plus one of the most complete and customizable interfaces around and support for almost every piece of high and mighty hardware, make getting into Myth II one of the most enjoyable experiences in gaming.