Ishar 2: Messengers of Doom

Silmarils

Industry	Video game development and publishing
Headquarters	France
Products	Video games, including Ishar 2: Messengers of Doom

Ishar 2: Messengers of Doom is a role-playing video game from 1993, created and distributed by Silmarils for platforms including Amiga, Atari ST, MS-DOS, Atari Falcon, and Macintosh. This title serves as the second entry in the Ishar trilogy.

Gameplay

Players have the option to transfer their party from Ishar: Legend of the Fortress, with a maximum of five characters in the group. Selecting party members demands careful consideration of their race and personality, as these factors influence team cohesion. The game environment expands to three times the size of its predecessor’s world and features an improved user interface. Gameplay is entirely controlled via mouse input, with combat sequences unfolding in real-time.

Plot

A malevolent sorcerer spreads a drug across Arborea, causing its inhabitants to suffer hallucinations and become submissive. To confront this menace, the player’s party must navigate through seven distinct islands.

Development and release

In 2009, an emulated Windows edition was made available through GOG.com.

Reception

Amiga Action characterized the game as "a good solid RPG" but remarked on its limited originality. Conversely, CU Amiga lauded it as "a must buy" and "an astounding sequel," later declaring it the finest installment in the trilogy. ST Format emphasized its "absorbing and atmospheric challenge." Additionally, Computer and Video Games included it among the top Amiga titles released that year. According to Génération 4, the Amiga and Atari ST versions featured a reduced color palette (16 colors) compared to the DOS edition; sound performance was similar on the ST, while the Amiga version benefited from support for an Ad Lib sound card. The Amiga 1200 iteration matched the DOS version in audiovisual quality.