Hmm, I am sorely tempted. I am currently wrestling with a desire to indulge my indolent cravings and simply copy and paste my entire review for the original SpellForce game into this space. I could just write a different intro and conclusion and no one would be any the wiser. Probably the most worrying aspect here is that my summation of the first game is just as accurate at describing this add-on pack as it is at appraising the original.

If you're reading this then you'll most likely already own the full game, so I won't bother reiterating a description of that. What we are interested in here is changes. Alterations, improvements, optimisations, additions, and basically anything that tweaks the original formula to make a more enjoyable, or varied experience. Sadly, after a few minutes meditation, the biggest change that comes to mind is the picture on the loading screen.

Once again it's a Good vs. Evil story and you, as a humble rune warrior, must lead your troops to victory. Commendably however, this time around there is a hazy line between good and evil, which gives pause for thought. So one race that you are fighting viciously for several scenarios, may actually be fighting for a goodly cause, and so you'll feel really bad when you've depleted their number somewhat and then have to join forces with them. Admittedly this ambiguity is scripted and immutable, but it does carry emotional impact and does make you question the integrity of your character.

Unfortunately, there is total lack of connection between the original game and this add-on pack. You cannot use your elite character you created and nurtured throughout the Order of Dawn and instead you must start once again from the very bottom, at level one, with an all-new persona. Cue level grind as you climb the slow ladder towards that shadow of the great warrior you once were. The wintry setting, as suggested by the title is not half so obvious as you might expect. The number of winter maps you play are far fewer than the standard grassy scenarios. Much like the original game then…

There is a new enemy that surfaces throughout the game - the evil Crimson armies. These are actually quite tough cookies and pretty much indomitable the first few times you come across them, due to their preponderance of numbers and fighting skill. You have to build up your character a fair bit before tackling them properly.

Music, sound, graphics, all are identical to the forebear. In the case of the graphics that isn't so bad as SpellForce was always a bit of a looker, particularly when zoomed in. But unfortunately the same hopeless voice actors make a return, turning potentially interesting or enjoyable conversations into an embarrassing celebration of how not to use the English language. Incorrect emphasis, accuracy and grammar with intransigently imperturbable attitudes all round leads to little enjoyment of the otherwise reasonable script. The exceptions are the excitable goblins and the Dark Elf workers who are beautiful Gollum replicas, no doubt inspired from the recent Lord of the Rings trilogy. ("Mastersss, we is getting hurt!!")

Sadly, there are more bugs than before, particularly related to the audio, as your character dialogue frequently relapses into German, or doesn't play at all. The music too cuts off for no apparent reason at times. What is particularly annoying is the lack of control over some of the friendlies that follow you around. These characters will run and attack any enemy they see and you can't do a damn thing about it. These foolish deeds often ruin your carefully planned assaults. Erm, what else? Well, the lovely plastic box that holds the disc is beautifully crafted and shiny and stuff, and fits perfectly into your games collection. The CD itself is also shiny and has a pretty picture adorning the….. is it obvious that I'm scraping the barrel now??

The Breath of Winter add-on pack makes no pretence at revolutionising anything. It is simply a further iteration of the exact same formula as its highly acclaimed parent. More quests to venture forth upon, more items and weapons to collect, more baddies to destroy, more fun to be had. It is with mild regret that my +6 Hammer of Justice comes down to give this add-on pack an average score, but really, more effort is expected if gamers have to pay out again for what is essentially the same experience.

Reviewed by Adam Shirley for AceGamez (All Rights Reserved).