Side by Side: The Unholy War

Side by Side is a video series on local multiplayer games. This is the third series, episode 2 of 5.

We’ve taken a different tack for the new series, deciding to spend a lot more time on each game. This means we have fewer episodes but each one is a lot longer than before. A new episode will be released every two weeks.

In the second episode, Joel Goodwin of Electron Dance and Gregg Burnell of Tap-Repeatedly travel back to 1998 to explore a spiritual sequel to Archon… The Unholy War!

Like Archon and Archon II: Adept, The Unholy War is a strategy/beat ’em up hybrid but with the complexity somewhat multiplied, thanks to the modern technology of the Sony Playstation. Every button has its function, every character has its day and every hex has its surprises. But is there too much here? Too many layers that detract from the simplicity of Archon? And where are the modern-day Archons – why is The Unholy War the end of the bloodline?

Since making the video, we’ve uncovered a Playstation 2 game called Wrath Unleashed (The Collective Inc., 2004) which is uncannily similar to The Unholy War. There are a few titles here and there, but there isn’t really an Archon today. Still, as a bonus, we insist you check out the incredible Japanese port of The Unholy War, Majokko Daisakusen: Little Witching Mischiefs.

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Watch the video here or direct on YouTube.