Warcraft II: Beyond the Dark Portal
Real Time Strategy (RTS), Strategy
Release Dates:
Average Rating:
Developers/Publishers:
Blizzard Entertainment, Cyberlore Studios, Electronic Arts, Electronic Arts Victor
April 30, 1996, December 31, 1997, October 1, 1996, August 31, 1997, November 27, 1997, December 31, 1996
PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation, DOS, Mac, Sega Saturn
Platforms:
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Repetitive Elements: Warcraft II: Beyond the Dark Portal may become repetitive after extended play, especially in the Real Time Strategy (RTS) genre.
Bugs and Glitches: Some players have reported bugs that can disrupt the Warcraft II: Beyond the Dark Portal experience.
High Difficulty: The steep difficulty curve in Warcraft II: Beyond the Dark Portal can be daunting for new players.
Why To Avoid
Compelling Storyline: The narrative in Warcraft II: Beyond the Dark Portal is deeply engaging, making it a must-play for Real Time Strategy (RTS) fans.
High Replay Value: Warcraft II: Beyond the Dark Portal offers numerous reasons to replay, thanks to its Real Time Strategy (RTS) elements.
Innovative Mechanics: Warcraft II: Beyond the Dark Portal introduces new and innovative mechanics in the Real Time Strategy (RTS) genre.
Why To Play
Warcraft II: Beyond the Dark Portal is an expansion pack for Warcraft II: Tides of Darkness. After defeating the Orcish Horde and capturing the survivors, the Human Alliance attempts to destroy the Dark Portal. However, whilst they destroy the portal, the rift that joins the Orcs' world of Draenor to Azeroth remains.
The Alliance forces decide to enter the rift to the Orcs' home world to attempt to seal it from the other side.
At the same time, Ner'zhul - Warchief of the Shadow Moon clan, who has seized control of the Orcish hordes of Draenor following Orgrim Doomhammer's departure (and eventual defeat) to Azeroth, plans to send his forces to Azeroth to gather magical artefacts in an attempt to open rifts to other worlds.
Beyond the Dark Portal contains two 12 map campaigns; one for each side, 50 new pud's (maps) and a new tile set for the Orc home world.
It also contains 5 new hero characters for each side that actively participate in several of the new single player missions. In function, they are simply super powered versions of standard units that have different sounds.
There are no new standard units however, which many saw as a disappointment.
The map editor also isn't updated to include any of this expansion's new features, though third party programs exist that can add these features to the editor.