This formula may be simple, but judging by the sheer number of Diablo clones on the market, it works. PC players have Nox, Arcanum, Sacred, and most recently, Divine Divinity (what a name!). And, of course, Dungeon Siege. Even PS2 players can get in on the addictive action with Champions 2: Return to Arms. This all essentially amounts to one big freakin' cottage industry revolving around a six year-old PC game. It's almost unprecedented--perhaps only Doom can claim a longer, more fanatical following. And the funny thing is, Diablo II (in all its Lord of Destruction-endowed glory) is still king of them all. Does Dungeon Siege II dethrone Diablo II? No. But the good news is that it comes closer than any game yet. Where the first game tried to differentiate itself from the Diablo series, Dungeon Siege II openly embraces its Diablo II lineage. In both the storyline and the gameplay, comparisons to Diablo II are simply unavoidable. Substitute "Sword of Zarameth... with the Worldstone, Dryads for Rogues, and "enchantable... weapons with socketed weapons, and you've pretty much got, well, you know what. This isn't a bad thing at all--Diablo II kicks ass, remember?--but it's a little disappointing that Gas Powered Games didn't stretch itself a little more in the creativity department.