It was released exactly 20 years ago today Black & White 2, the sequel to the legendary game that defined the so-called God Game genre and brought one of the most special experiences in the history of strategies.
Original Black & White from 2001 was revolutionary - you played the role of a deity who rules a tribe, decides the fate of people and builds a civilization according to your own moral choices. Black & White 2 he upgraded all this with richer graphics, larger worlds and the ability to directly lead an army as a divine being in battles against other civilizations, including the Egyptians and Japanese.
The game also brought an improved interface that was more transparent than its predecessor, but retained a recognizable way of playing – without classic menus, everything was done with direct mouse movements on the map. Besides building and performing miracles, the moral choice between good and evil remained the core of the experience: you are a deity who can bless or destroy the world.
Despite the innovations, Black & White 2 it did not achieve commercial success and remained a somewhat forgotten gem of the PC scene. Expansion Battle of the Gods concluded the series, and studio Lionhead soon switched to development Fable, leaving this unique genre behind.
Peter Molyneux, the creator of the series, repeatedly tried to return to the "divine" games - most famously through Godus - but without much success. Still, there's hope: he's currently working on a spiritual successor called Masters of Albion, which could bring back the spirit Black & White new generations.
Today, two decades later, Black & White 2 it is still remembered as the last true "God Game" - a unique experience that reminds you that even gods sometimes have to learn how to rule the world.
