S2 Games have released the promised Free Content Patch #1 for Savage 2: A Tortured Soul, their independently developed and published FPS/RTS/RPG hybrid title. Currently only available by the in-game auto-patcher, the update introduces a stack of new features and bug-fixes to the game.

Chief among the additions are a new Hellbourne unit, integrated clan support and a couple of new maps but there's also been some pretty radical gameplay tweaks and improvements that definitely make Savage 2 worth a second look for those that may not have been wowed by the trial game upon its original release.

All the details can be found over on s2games.com. For more general info on Savage 2, check out AusGamers in-depth review.

Lastly; for gamers of the penguin persuasion, this update also marks the release of the first Savage 2 Linux client. Which can now be downloaded in either its 32 bit or 64 bit forms locally in the AusGamers files library.

I might look it up this weekend after all my tests. Haven't played it in a while.

dedicated server? :(

dedicated server? :(

There's always been a dedicated server option. Problem is, the in-game browser only showed ranked servers.

With this update, there's now a separate tab in the in-game browser for non-ranked servers so if GA or Node etc run a dedi server it will show up there.

Thing is, they've just introduced achievements, which are rewarded with persistent items in the game, so nobody is going to want to bother playing non-ranked games.

The issue is moot anyway, since they run local australian servers and have a pretty cool looking system for clan matches which includes a server booking style setup.

IMO they still shot themselves in the foot by not going the third party ranked server route. But it's at least interesting to watch someone try something different.