Of Orcs and Men is a multi-platform computer game in the RPG genre, developed by the French studio Cyanide. The global publisher is Focus Home Interactive, while the publisher in Russia is “1С-СофтКлаб”. The game was released on the following platforms: PC, Xbox 360, and PlayStation 3. Of Orcs and Men was released in October 2012.
As already mentioned, the game was developed by the Cyanide studio, which released a very decent role-playing game, Game of Thrones, four months before the release of Of Orcs and Men. Many developments used in Game of Thrones were also utilized in Of Orcs and Men. For example, both projects feature a similar combat system using tactical pause.
The plot of Of Orcs and Men unfolds in a fantasy world where elves, humans, dwarves, orcs, and goblins coexist. Orcs are engaged in a relentless war with the human Empire, whose armies are gradually driving the green-skinned giants beyond the borders of the known world. Humans burn orc settlements and turn them into slaves. Elves and dwarves do not intervene in the conflict, but the Emperor is trying by all means to sway them to his side to create a military alliance. If this happens, the orcs will be doomed to complete annihilation.
Understanding the tragic situation of his people, the leader of the most warlike clan of "Bloodsuckers" decides to kill the Emperor, whom the orcs blame for all mortal sins. For the execution of this suicidal mission, Dyarkhail (that is how the leader is called) dispatches a group of the bravest and strongest warriors. One of these brave souls is Arkail, an orc with uncontrolled berserker rage. He is the first hero of Of Orcs and Men.
The second hero is a goblin named Styx, who meets Arkail at the very beginning of his journey. The goblin plays the role of a guide for the orc, but gradually becomes a true combat companion. Even when Styx brings his "client" to the destination, he does not abandon the orc but decides to share either the bitterness of defeat or the joy of victory.
You can alternately play as either the orc or the goblin. If the gamer takes control of one hero, the other is controlled by artificial intelligence. Each character has their own set of unique traits and skills. For example, Arkail can enter a frenzy during which the player cannot control him. All of the orc's abilities are geared toward close combat.
Styx, on the other hand, cannot boast of unbridled strength, but he skillfully wields daggers and knives. In hand-to-hand combat, the goblin is inferior to Arkail in all parameters, but in throwing deadly blades, he is truly the king and god. Additionally, Styx has the ability to turn invisible, a very useful trait that allows him to kill careless guards without much hassle.
During battle, you can use the tactical pause mode to choose an active ability. All of them are scattered between so-called stances. In the offensive stance, Arkail delivers his most powerful strikes and uses his strongest abilities, but completely disregards defense. In the defensive stance, the orc cannot make deadly attacks but can easily deflect all enemy strikes.
Styx can also fight face to face with the enemy, but it is only the ranged stance that reveals the true potential of the goblin - Styx can throw knives in different directions and toss bombs. It's also worth noting that there is a third stance with specific skills, most of which are universal for both heroes.