Elven Legacy got a lot of things
almost right. That is to say, there were many elements of the game that were very enjoyable and, but for some small inconsistencies and A.I. issues, the game would have likely received much higher scores.
Elven Legacy: Ranger does a decent job addressing these concerns. The difficulty has been scaled back significantly, but this does not mean that players will not face challenges. Where the first game constrained creative tactics and exploration by facing the player against overwhelming odds and, more importantly, restrictive time limitations,
EL:R provides far more options, allowing for a more investigative or cautionary approach to objectives. If a player wants to plow straight ahead through a mission, that option is available. However, should the play style be more slow-but-steady, the threat of an arbitrary time limit is no longer as daunting. In turn, this allows for more investiture in and usage of the various unit types. In
Elven Legacy, the heroes and infantry quickly became the staple units because of the necessity to move quickly while dealing with hostile forces. With that parameter lifted, players are free to experiment, which can lead to some interesting and genuinely fun discoveries.
In addition to improvements on previous gameplay modes, Elven Legacy: Ranger offers a bevy of new features. First and foremost, the expansion consists of 16 new missions, spanning a fairly engrossing storyline. Several new heroes, including the ranger Cornelius, are available for play. New spells and artifacts round out the additional offerings.
