The flow of battle fluctuates in each map layout, but opposing armies start out at their respective bases with meager resources. Win conditions can be adjusted between destroying the enemy citadel, accruing war effort points, slaying a set number of opponent demigods, and crippling a set number of enemy fortress defenses. Clashing in encounter after encounter, your demigod will gain experience as you capture key strategic flag points on the map and whittle away at your enemies. When your demigod falls in battle, you're transported to a hazy spirit realm high above the playing field until a timer ticks down to zero and you re-spawn back at your base. To allow players to focus on the action, resource management is largely automated. Gold is accrued from mines you control and can be used to purchase items and improvements at your citadel. As your war effort levels-up and gains momentum, you're able to upgrade defenses and beef up the types and strength of creatures that spill forth from your summoning portals.

Maps are well-designed with plenty of choke points, defensive areas, and key objective positions to control. At ground level, you'll get a great view of the carnage and the massive strength of the clashing demigods and their forces. Panning back to greater distances lets you appreciate the beauty of each battlefield location. The excellently varied arenas range from the top of a spire-like temple surrounded by lush jungles below and a classically inspired causeway with Romanesque statues and flowing fountains, and a lava-filled underworld and a sci-fi nightscape. The combatants themselves are also a sight to be seen.

Demigod's single-player mode is essentially the same as its multiplayer offerings, only you'll play with and against A.I.-controlled demigod bots of varying intelligence instead of humans. The multiplayer focus and a lack of a more traditional, story-driven solo campaign may not sit as well with all players, but the streamlined action-RPG gameplay proves to be seriously addictive in short bursts. The development team managed to inject a surprising level of gameplay depth into such a pared-down RTS design, and it works out.

By Nathan Meunier
CCC Staff Contributor