The Settlers II: Veni, Vidi, Vici (1996)

by Christopher
written by Christopher 10 minutes read

Summary

The Settlers II: Veni, Vidi, Vici is a real-time strategy game developed by Blue Byte Software and released in 1996. It is the second game in The Settlers series, and is considered by many fans to be the best game in the series.

The game is set in the Roman Empire, and players take control of a Roman settlement. The goal of the game is to build up your settlement, produce resources, and conquer your enemies.

The Settlers II: Veni, Vidi, Vici introduces several new features to the series, including:

  • A new resource system: In The Settlers II, there are four main resources: wood, stone, iron, and gold. These resources are used to construct buildings, produce units, and research new technologies.
  • A new military system: The Settlers II features a more complex military system than its predecessor. Players can now train a variety of different units, including infantry, cavalry, and siege weapons.
  • A new diplomacy system: The Settlers II allows players to form alliances with other AI-controlled factions. These alliances can be used to trade resources, share military support, and declare war on common enemies.

The Settlers II: Veni, Vidi, Vici was a critical and commercial success. It was praised for its addictive gameplay, charming graphics, and innovative features. The game has been ported to a variety of platforms, including Windows, Mac, and Nintendo DS.

Gameplay

The Settlers II: Veni, Vidi, Vici is a real-time strategy game in which players take control of a Roman settlement. The goal of the game is to build up your settlement, produce resources, and conquer your enemies.

The game is played from a top-down perspective. Players can use the mouse to select units, buildings, and resources. The keyboard can be used to issue commands, such as moving units, constructing buildings, and researching new technologies.

The Settlers II: Veni, Vidi, Vici features a variety of different gameplay modes, including:

  • Campaign mode: In campaign mode, players must complete a series of missions in order to progress. The missions become increasingly difficult as the game progresses.
  • Skirmish mode: In skirmish mode, players can battle against AI-controlled opponents on a variety of different maps.
  • Multiplayer mode: In multiplayer mode, players can battle against each other over a LAN or the internet.

Resources

There are four main resources in The Settlers II: Veni, Vidi, Vici: wood, stone, iron, and gold. These resources are used to construct buildings, produce units, and research new technologies.

  • Wood: Wood is the most basic resource in The Settlers II. It is used to construct most buildings, as well as to produce units and research new technologies. Wood can be gathered from trees by woodcutters.
  • Stone: Stone is used to construct more durable buildings, such as castles and walls. It can also be used to produce units and research new technologies. Stone can be quarried from stone mines by miners.
  • Iron: Iron is used to produce weapons and armor for your units. It can also be used to research new technologies. Iron can be mined from iron mines by miners.
  • Gold: Gold is the most valuable resource in The Settlers II. It is used to produce luxury goods, such as jewelry and furniture. It can also be used to research new technologies. Gold can be mined from gold mines by miners.

Buildings

There are a variety of different buildings that can be constructed in The Settlers II: Veni, Vidi, Vici. These buildings include:

  • Houses: Houses are used to accommodate your population. Each house can accommodate up to four people.
  • Farms: Farms produce food for your population. Food is essential for keeping your population happy and healthy.
  • Lumber mills: Lumber mills produce wood. Wood is used to construct buildings, produce units, and research new technologies.
  • Stone mines: Stone mines produce stone. Stone is used to construct more durable buildings, such as castles and walls.
  • Iron mines: Iron mines produce iron. Iron is used to produce weapons and armor for your units.
  • Gold mines: Gold mines produce gold. Gold is used to produce luxury goods, such as jewelry and furniture.
  • Barracks: Barracks are used to train new units. There are a variety of different units that can be trained, including infantry, cavalry, and siege weapons.
  • Stables: Stables are used to train cavalry units. Cavalry units are faster and more powerful than infantry units, but they are also more expensive to train.
  • Siege workshops: Siege workshops are used to produce siege weapons. Siege weapons are powerful units that can be used to destroy enemy buildings and walls.
  • Towers: Towers are defensive structures that can be used to protect your settlement from enemy attacks. Towers can be armed with archers or ballistae.
  • Walls: Walls can be constructed to protect your settlement from enemy attacks. Walls can be made of wood or stone.

Units

There are a variety of different units that can be trained in The Settlers II: Veni, Vidi, Vici. These units include:

  • Legionnaires: Legionnaires are the basic infantry unit in The Settlers II. They are armed with swords and shields, and they are effective against most other infantry units.
  • Archers: Archers are ranged units that can attack from a distance. They are effective against infantry and cavalry units, but they are vulnerable to melee attacks.
  • Cavalry: Cavalry units are mounted units that are faster and more powerful than infantry units. They are effective against infantry and archer units, but they are vulnerable to siege weapons.
  • Ballistae: Ballistae are siege weapons that can be used to destroy enemy buildings and walls. They are slow and expensive to produce, but they are very powerful.
  • Catapults: Catapults are siege weapons that can be used to launch projectiles at enemy units and buildings. They are more powerful than ballistae, but they are also more expensive and slower to produce.

Diplomacy

The Settlers II: Veni, Vidi, Vici features a diplomacy system that allows players to form alliances with other AI-controlled factions. These alliances can be used to trade resources, share military support, and declare war on common enemies.

There are four different types of diplomatic relations in The Settlers II: Veni, Vidi, Vici:

  • Peace: Peace is the default diplomatic relation between two factions. Factions that are at peace with each other can trade resources and share military support.
  • Alliance: An alliance is a formal agreement between two factions to cooperate with each other. Alliances can be used to trade resources, share military support, and declare war on common enemies.
  • War: War is a state of conflict between two factions. Factions that are at war with each other will attack each other on sight.
  • Ceasefire: A ceasefire is a temporary agreement between two factions to stop fighting. Ceasefires can be used to negotiate a peace treaty or to prepare for a future war.

Reception

The Settlers II: Veni, Vidi, Vici was a critical and commercial success. It was praised for its addictive gameplay, charming graphics, and innovative features. The game has been ported to a variety of platforms, including Windows, Mac, and Nintendo DS.

The Settlers II: Veni, Vidi, Vici is considered by many fans to be the best game in the series. Its popularity encouraged Blue Byte to publish a remake of the game, The Settlers II (10th Anniversary) for Windows and release a port of the original game on Nintendo DS.

Legacy

The Settlers II: Veni, Vidi, Vici is a classic real-time strategy game that still holds up today. Its charming graphics, addictive gameplay, and innovative features make it a must-play for fans of the genre. The game has had a lasting impact on the real-time strategy genre, and it is still considered to be one of the best games in the genre.

Review Score

9/10

Art

Cover Art

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Christopher has carved a niche for himself as an authority on retro pre-2000 computer games. With a passion that borders on reverence, Christopher delves deep into the pixelated past of gaming, unearthing gems and sharing insights that resonate with both nostalgic players and curious newcomers. His articles serve as a time machine, transporting readers back to an era where gameplay and creativity often trumped graphical fidelity. Cristopher's expertise isn't just in cataloging these classics; he analyzes their design, the context of their creation, and their impact on the gaming landscape, offering a comprehensive look at the evolution of digital entertainment. Beyond mere retrospectives, Christopher champions the relevance of these retro games in today's high-definition world. He skillfully draws parallels between the foundational mechanics of yesteryear's titles and the modern gaming innovations they inspired. His work goes beyond mere preservation; it's an ongoing dialogue between the past and present of gaming. Christopher's content educates, entertains, and ignites discussions within the gaming community. His dedication not only keeps the legacy of pre-2000 games alive but also highlights their importance in shaping the future of video gaming.

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