A lot of games that try to infuse other genres in them do so superficially: adding experience points to a first person shooter, or base building to an adventure game. SpellForce 2: Shadow Wars shows that you can take equal proportions of two genres and combine them effectively, producing a fun game that’s an original product. The game is at its best when you have RTS base building and tactical command with RPG quests, loot, and experience taking place in the same level. This is common during the campaign and seen to a lesser extent in the free games. The RTS or RPG parts of the game on their own would not have been as good, but SpellForce 2: Shadow Wars is a game that’s greater than the sum of its parts. Add to this outstanding graphics and numerous MMO-like multiplayer options, and you have a very complete package that should appeal to most gamers. It’s unfortunate, then, that SpellForce 2: Shadow Wars is not called “The Lord of the Rings,” because then it would sell the number of copies it should. Still, SpellForce 2: Shadow Wars is a great title that brings two apparently disparate genres together in a complete presentation.