JoWood announced today that they have begun shipping Cultures 2: The Gates of Asgard, in North America. Like its predecessor, Cultures 2 is a classic real-time strategy game with strong role-playing elements. In Cultures 2, players once again assume the role of the noble Viking hero, Bjarni. Together with his courageous Viking companions, Bjarni undertakes an epic journey that spans three continents. Unlike most RTS games, however, it's up to the player whether the people Bjarni meets become his enemies or allies.

This remarkable sequel to Cultures: Discovery of Vinland, is heavily influenced by Norse mythology and Medieval European history. Over the course of eleven eventful missions, players journey from Greenland to central Europe to the Middle East matching wits and steel with historical and mythical foes. In addition to it's unique setting, what sets Cultures 2 apart from other RTSs is that it allows players to make choices about who their enemies will be. Rather not fight with Byzantines? Pay them tribute, and enter into a mutually beneficial trading relationship. Have it out for the Franks? Charge into their nearest town with a troop of your mightiest Viking warriors!

As in all RTS games, effective resource-management is critical to success in Cultures 2. But Cultures 2 sets itself apart from the competition by giving the player responsibility for the development of each and every one of his tribesmen. As the game progresses, the player's Viking workers and warriors gain experience much like characters in an RPG, gradually becoming more skilled in one of over 30 occupations. Most buildings in Cultures 2 are upgradeable as well, allowing the player to improve the capabilities of his town over time.

Ultimately, however, Cultures 2 is about the clash of civilizations, and it's on the battlefield that players will notice some of the game's most significant improvements. The AI is much improved, giving players more precise control over their units' actions during a battle. Heroes such as Bjarni are extremely useful during combat, and, over the course of the game, the player has the opportunity to recruit three additional heroes to improve his army's fighting prowess. In the end, it is up to Bjarni and his heroic companions to unite the peoples of the Medieval world, and journey all the way to the mythical Gates of Asgard to defeat a malevolent, all-powerful foe.