Of Orcs And Men is a single-player action RPG set in a fantasy world where players control an Orc warrior and his Goblin companion on a mission to assassinate the Emperor of Men. The story places the player in the role of Arkail from the Bloodjaws legion, joined by the stealthy Goblin Styx, as they navigate hostile territories to strike at the heart of the Empire that persecutes their peoples.
Gameplay
The core loop centers on controlling two distinct characters with complementary abilities during exploration and combat. Arkail handles direct confrontations with powerful melee strikes and strength-based skills, while Styx specializes in stealth approaches and assassination tactics. Players switch between the pair or issue commands while one character performs automatic basic attacks.
Combat supports real-time action or a tactical pause mode that allows queuing abilities in advance. Each protagonist has separate skill trees that expand through experience points gained from fights and objectives. Points spent on stats improve attributes such as strength or agility, and new abilities unlock or upgrade over time to create varied approaches to encounters.
Levels involve navigating linear areas filled with enemies, using dialogue choices to influence interactions with non-player characters. The dual-character system encourages coordination, with Styx often scouting ahead or eliminating isolated threats before Arkail engages larger groups.
Game Modes
The game offers only a single-player campaign. No separate multiplayer options or additional modes exist beyond the main story progression through successive areas and quests.
Story and Setting
The narrative follows the unlikely alliance between the Orc soldier and the Goblin assassin as they push deep into enemy lands. The Empire of Men maintains dominance through military campaigns that target Orc and Goblin territories, creating a backdrop of persecution and resistance. Dialogue trees and key decisions shape conversations with various factions encountered along the way, adding layers to the central objective of reaching and eliminating the Emperor.
Both characters develop unique powers that reflect their backgrounds. The Orc emphasizes raw power and battlefield presence, while the Goblin draws on stealth and darker abilities suited to infiltration and surprise attacks.
Is It Worth Playing?
Player feedback highlights the tactical depth of the dual-character combat system as a standout feature, though some note repetitive elements and pacing issues in later sections. The reversed fantasy perspective, where Orcs and Goblins serve as protagonists against human forces, provides a distinct angle compared to typical role-playing titles.
The game suits players who enjoy managing two characters with different combat styles in a focused single-player experience. Those seeking ongoing updates or additional content modes will find none, as development concluded after its 2012 release. Availability remains limited to the original PC version without expansions or seasonal additions.
Overall, the title appeals most to fans of tactical action RPGs who value skill progression and coordinated party mechanics over expansive open worlds or multiplayer features. Its strengths lie in the interplay between the Orc and Goblin protagonists during missions, making it a niche choice for those interested in the specific premise of leading a targeted strike against an oppressive empire.
