Traitors and power-mad servants of the Empire conspire. The Legions of the Damned rise up in defiance, harnessing power and a battle plan. It is a tenuous time in the land and only one soul can deliver order from the chaos. Or maybe deliver chaos unto the masses - for, you see, that choice is your’s to make.

Disciples II: Servants of the Dark is a stand-alone expansion for Strategy First’s award-winning PC series. What that should mean is that you just pop it in and go - which is what you can do. But the game also teases to campaigns that are part of the previous Disciples II titles, and while they beckon, unless you have the previous games, you will be doing little more than getting a tasty bit of what Disciples II: Guardians of the Light and Disciples II: Dark Prophecy contain.

But Servants of the Dark is more than just an elongated demo or advertisement for the other titles. This is a solid title featuring 15 multiplayer maps, three new characters, new city backgrounds and accompanying musical tracks, an updated combat system with an auto-resolve button, improved computer AI and player interface, and a portfolio with original concept art.

For the uninitiated, Disciples II is a turn- and movement-based game. Players have a general set of mission circumstances and then build up their forces while using movement allocation to navigate a mapboard that is under the fog-of-war. When you enter an enemies’ space, you are launched into the combat screen. You can use your skills to work through the battle, or let the game auto-resolve the conflict for you.

So far so good.

The game leans toward the Undead Horde and the Legions of the Damned and their battle for supremacy of Nevendaar. But unlike the other titles in the series, the scenarios here seem to be pointing toward something that isn’t there in the long run.

This game feels like scenarios that should have been in other titles in the series. Even some of the missions cannot be played unless you have the other titles. So much for the stand-alone aspect. There is also indication that this title was rushed out. There are spelling mistakes in the typed text that propels the storyline of each scenario. Linked phrases like "I we’ll" when it should have been "I will" is just careless.

Graphically, Servants of the Dark plays off the same engine as other Disciples II games and looks the same. The player interface is simple to use and players can get into this title quickly.

As mentioned, this ‘stand-alone’ game feels like it is random scenarios that should have been part of another title. It is as strong graphically as the other Disciples II titles, there is little doubt about that. But in terms of advancing the series, it does not. This is a game that is technically sound, but for fans of the series or the genre, you may want to pass on this one.

This game is rated Teen for mild violence.

Gameplay: 7
The game does have load times and there is really nothing more frustrating than picking a scenario to play and then being told that one of the other titles is needed to run it.

Graphics: 8.4
The added elements are just that - added elements. While technically new, they do nothing to advance the game. That said, this is still a very nicely designed game. The environments are colorful and the animation is smooth.

Sound: 7.8
This is a combination of music, sound effects and typed text. The musical score is well done, and the special effect hold their own, though there is nothing spectacular here.

Difficulty: Medium
This game sports the same style of gameplay as its predecessor.

Concept: 6.8
This seems like a rushed title that takes the basic format and includes scenarios that likely should have been in one of the other games.

Multiplayer: 7.5
New player maps are always a bonus, but there is nothing really new here in what was previously offered.

Overall: 7
Define stand-alone? The understanding should be that all scenarios included can be played, but that is not the case here. You will need the original programs to access some of the scenarios. That is not a good thing. A stand-alone title should work independent of others. This game does allow players to jump into some of the scenarios and get a solid feel for the game. Though it does have some solid elements borrowed from the series as a whole, this seems like a rushed title that really does more of a disservice than it does to advances the series