Black & White 2

Don't use cracked.exe or devience. that triggers the children cant grow up bug. there are other patches that you can download that doesnt have the grow up bug. google it.

December 2025 here. It's impler than ever thanks to the ElAmigos repack.
My steps for Windows 11:
Download the repack ISO and the v1.42 patch.
Mount ISO in standard Windows tool.
Run setup.exe
Unzip 1.42 patch
Run 1.42 installer
Done
Launch from desktop/start menu.

Simplified Chinese :
https://archive.org/details/BW2Chs

Hey guys! 02-October-2025,
I have absolutely loved playing this game back in the day and I so desperately want to play it again.

I have a Mac and would really appreciate some guidance on how to get this running.

I downloaded Whiskey, an emulator that acts as windows on your Mac, and I'm not a PC expert, I know a little bit but without a guiding hand I won't always know what I'm doing.

Is there anyone out there that can help me?

Following the instructions given above, as soon as I run the game it give me a big Gray screen and a popup that says I can't run the game twice?

Please help an old fan relive his childhood fun again.

Thank you in advance.

Wanting to add on to the previous comment.
I'm a little new to this so my only hiccup while installing was I didn't move the patches to the games install folder before running them on first try so it didn't work at first. However on my second try I had them in the same folder and everything's run almost flawlessly on Windows11.

I'm currently in the "New Game+" part where it resets after beating the final island but you keep all the things you bought with Tribute. Starting a the 3rd Japanese island I'll sometimes experience a crash when saving the game, but I've not had that same issue when using the quick save. Now I just quick save before I do a full save to be safe, but it's only happened 3-4 times and I'm on the final island for the 2nd time.

Reporting from W11 in Juli of 2025 with this manual that worked for me:
1. Download ISO Version Deviance Release (I downloaded it from another site that did NOT take 2 hours to download, found it on google)
2. Download Patch v1.1 - v1.2 - v1.42 (Downloaded here)
NOTE: v1.42 is a fan made patch that makes the game compatible with modern systems.
5. Mount ISO and run arun.exe, then click install. (An error came about some speech file, I ignored it an the game was fine!)

IMPORTANT: When mounting the ISO, do NOT use windows built-in mounting. I know it sounds stupid as hell, but use a program like WinCDEmu. (It's super easy to use, just google it, or use some other program) If you don't, the installer WON'T install the fourth level properly and you will crash after finishing the third level every time!
6. Use any of the provided serial keys when installing:

DXFP-JD46-7GJY-Z8MN-WDEV
4UXX-7Z1J-W30X-ZRM5-8DEV
HPEW-VRQA-REWE-U18G-MDEV
1UC4-ZG7S-PORN-VSON-KING

NOTE: When it asks to register with EA arts account just click "register later".

7. Install all of the patches in order v1.1 - v1.2 - v1.42
8. PLAY THE GAME! Run white.exe or use the desktop shortcut.
IMPORTANT: Do NOT use any cracked version white.exe and do not overwrite anything. There are anti piracy measures for this game which purposefully add bugs and glitches to the game (Most notorious being the villagers not aging and growing up). Using the fan patch v1.42 is all you need.

The children age normally - I am in world 4 now and everything is fine

I was able to get this running on Linux Mint so I wanted to share in case this helps anyone else:
- Download the 'MDF Format, no CRC Error' ISO. I received the CRC error on the regular ISO
- Install something like AcetoneISO so you can mount the MDF file
- Install game in Lutris from executable and browse to the arun.exe in the mounted MDF file (Check comments or downloads here for serial keys)
- The game will install and possibly not exit correctly and throw a non zero exit code which is fine (Hit abort if needed just don't remove game files)
- If you had to abort in the previous step: In Lutris add locally installed game and browse to /home//Games/black-and-white-2/drive_c/Program Files (x86)/Lionhead Studios/Black & White 2/white.exe for the executable. Set Wine as runner
- Download and copy over all 3 patch files into the same directory as the game exe (In my case it was /home//Games/black-and-white-2/drive_c/Program Files (x86)/Lionhead Studios/Black & White 2)
- Within Lutris Right click and configure Black and White 2 and select the Game Options tab
- Select the 3 dots to the right of the executable and browse to the directory you dropped the patch files into
- Select the first patch (Black-White-2_Patch_Win_EN_Patch-v11.exe)
- Launch Black and White 2 from Lutris and this will install the 1.1 patch
- Repeat these steps from the previous 4 lines to install patch 1.2 (Black-White-2_Patch_Win_EN_Patch-v12.exe) and the fan patch (B&W2 Fan Patch v1.42 Installer.exe)
- Change the game executable back to white.exe to launch the game via Lutris now

I can't install the patches. The installer says that the installation has been corrupted... any Idea why?

I cannot install, it keeps telling me that it cannot create already existing files

when i do all that and try to start game this pops up. The application was unable to start correctly (0xc0000005).

Getting Black & White 2 Running in 2025
If you're trying to install Black & White 2 on a modern system, here’s a quick step-by-step breakdown to help you avoid common issues:

1. Get the Right Files
Download the Deviance ISO release.
Grab the necessary patches: v1.1 → v1.2 → v1.42 (v1.42 is a fan-made patch that improves compatibility).
2. Install the Game Properly
Mount the ISO using WinCDEmu or Daemon Tools Lite (do NOT use Windows’ built-in mounting, or the game won’t install correctly).
Run arun.exe and follow the installation prompts.
Use a valid serial key (search online for updated ones, as old keys may no longer work).
When prompted to register with EA, select "Register Later".
3. Apply Patches
Install v1.1, then v1.2, then v1.42, in that order.
Once patched, run white.exe to start the game.

Common Issues & Fixes
🛠 Problem: The game crashes after finishing Level 3
✔️ Fix: This happens if the ISO wasn’t mounted correctly. If you used Windows' built-in tools, reinstall the game using WinCDEmu instead.
🛠 Problem: Audio glitches or overlapping sounds
✔️ Fix: The game doesn’t handle high FPS well. Limit it to 60 FPS in your GPU settings:
Open NVIDIA Control Panel → Manage 3D Settings → Program Settings → Add white.exe → Set "Max Frame Rate" to 60 FPS.
🛠 Problem: Mouse movement feels off
✔️ Fix: Many gaming mice have high polling rates that interfere with older games.
Test your polling rate with this tool: https://doubleclicktest.com If it’s above 125Hz, lower it in your mouse software (Logitech G Hub, Razer Synapse, etc.).
🛠 Problem: Game crashes when loading a new level
✔️ Fix: The v1.42 fan patch lets you skip level transitions—just press ESC at the end of a level to skip the sequence.

is there a video on how to do all this? I really want to play this game again but I cant seem to get it right.

is the first black and white not on here anymore?

Wonderful game remember playing as a kid. The repack is amazing work, but the mouse is very wonky. hard to control things

Mouse works poorly in this game, it is normal?

The repack is insane. Downloaded, unpacked, installed. It just runs.

All patches already included, DLC included. Amazing work.

Using Daemon tools lite and the 4 disc images, I didn't get the CRC error.

TBH I think I downloaded all 4 images at once in 1/4th the time of downloading the 3.4gb files, which did CRC error at the end.

hi I have a bug, I can't load my game anymore.
"runtime error".
impossible to resume the game.
c++ untime library
I reinstalled the game and the patches and still the same problem.

It only works if I launch "a new game"

Thanks noobscriptr for bothering to write the script - sadly have to report that when it's run I get the CRC error mentioned in the comments so I'm trying again manually with the MDF format version. I assume your script won't work. Maybe you could modify it?
What happens is that (apart from the error) the install seems to complete, but when you try to launch the game nothing happens.

I've created a GitHub repo for simplified installation

https://github.com/N00bScriptr/Black-and-White-2-Install

Hello, I have a bug, oh error, that when I move to the third land it does not allow me to advance in the mission of (creature roles) that the creature must be left anchored to the cornfield

If you keep experiencing the CRC error during installation, try downloading the Disc Image labelled "MDF Format, no CRC Error", and then following Ozir's installation guide in the comments.

Worked perfectly for me now in 2024 on an AM4 chipset with an RTX 30xx GPU in Windows 11. No bugs, no crashes, no performance issues.

Ho to install in winlator?

should I install the ISO deviance release or the ISO europe version?

Can anyone give a guide on how to do this on steam deck? The one youtube video floating around is a year old and not helpful for a total idiot like myself to figure out...

OZIR is correct but rather than run arun.exe, right click setup.exe and run as admin.
NO problems installing this and BotG add-on. DON'T copy any cracks over as the fan patches update the game properly.

Installed BNW/Creature Isle and BNW2/BotG with NO problems. Just install patches 1.1, 1.2 and then fan patch. Install the add-on disc and then run the fan patch for the add-on.

Sound issues with Creature Isle - No music. Copy the Audio folder from disc to Audio folder where you installed main game.

Install folder is best kept at the default for all installs. NO problems with missing install directory then. Everything installed first time for me using these guidelines.

Directories for me are -
C:\Program Files (x86)\Lionhead Studios Ltd\Black & White
C:\Program Files (x86)\Lionhead Studios\Black & White 2

Hope this helps folks having problems.

OH - Found out too that running the game(s) in a window slows it down. Run in desktop resolution and fullscreen. Tried in a window at 1280*720 and was slow/stuttering. Tried at 1920*1280 fullscreen and they ran faster/smoother. GFX setting set to high.

Thanks for ReClaiming my Old ISO.

~Døden~

After about 2 hours of play, the game crashed without any errors. Just closed

I kept getting the CRC error on the Deviance version on here but this one worked for me https://archive.org/details/bw-2_20221006

I still don't see the hidden scenario in 2nd tutorial island.
There should be a man and son pair making their way up the mountain to watch fireflies.

Also. Creature eyes and evil imp wings are bugged.
The comments in here help to mitigate the majority of issues, but now the game flashes to black occasionally and bugs out till i quit and restart.

Might just be easier to boot up in my old intel 2600 and a DX9 gpu....

CRC Error and when i ignore this problem i can`t install this game.

THERES A PART 2???? HOW DID I NEVER KNOW????

Absolutely love this nostalgic game! Thank you for making this possible. I looked everywhere for a digital copy of this.

There are certainly a couple of bugs I've noticed. Particularly the lights at night time and the troop movements. Other than that it runs pretty flawlessly.

I have good memories about this game tank you so mush Lionhead Studios. "Funny :) move mouse in cube logo animation lionhead".

Love this game, I downloaded the patch’s
I already had it installed from disc.
It’s smooth, but unfortunately the screen flickers…. A lot. I turned the comparability to windows 98. And tried XP…
I’m a bit of a spanner on the computer, I’m a musician type of person so any help has to be simple and no abbreviations hahah.

the game runs great, except it randomly causes my PC to crash, and by crash I mean it shuts down entirely and restarts itself.

After installing the 1.42 installer he asked to open the Readme, upon opening the actual Readme, he also opened the Realmlist Readme of a wow privat server im on xD No idea why. just saying.

I made your hone download of Black and White 2, and now It's asking for the code of install mode.

could you tell me please

Does anyone know how to see screenshots?

one of my favorite PC game

My streetlights are still blackboxes

man i really miss playing games like these

Thank you so much, EMMADEEB. I don't like pirating games, but what options do I have with something like this? if it were available, I'd buy it. I think most people would. but alas.

anyway, I really appreciate the help. I think most people do. best in 2023!

Does anyone know how to fix the streetlights turning into black boxes?

this is a very special game to my childhood which i thought i wouldn't be able to play again, despite having an original copy. this worked perfectly and i'm having a lot of nostalgic fun playing it again. thank you!

I downloaded the files but they are showing up as .bin files instead of iso... what am i doing wrong or how do i fix this problem?

Does Black and White 2 support using a joystick controller? I have installed DS4 and successfully connected the ps4 controller, but it doesn't work with Black and White 2, so thinking it might simply not support the device.

It keeps asking for the code at the back of the disc case

Woohoo just got the game running on my MacBook Air M1 8 GB RAM with Portingkit app. I created a costume bottle using WS11WineCX20.0.4 and besides that just followed the guide:

Install the game (point to the installer creating the bottle) - Finish the bottle - Don't run the game
Install the patches via the advanced menu - 1.1 then 1.2 and finally 1.42

Now you can run the game.

The game don't start ( I have all the patchs) , can someone help me ?

My favorite childhood game! thanks guys

I've tested the Deviance ISO and the 4 Disks Bundle, and I can confirm that those DO NOT WORK correctly.

I got a CRC error (speech.lug) and a skipped land5 on install, respectively.

Both the errors above are correlated with the "children not growing past 1 year old ingame" and other bugs.

I ended up finding a "Black & White 2 Complete Collection MULTi7" Build: 1448 version on the internet, which has the "children not growing" and other issues fixed.

I did NOT test the European ISO from MyAbandonware, someone could update on this maybe.

If you are still having issues with the game randomly crashing, download the 4gb patch from NTcore.com. run the .exe and patch the white.exe found in the game install folder

Link is corrupted. Speech.lub doesn't install

I try to play the install the game, but then it's comes up with a cd/dvd code that is needed. and I don't understand where or how to fix this or to solv it.

Anyone have any issues with their creature leash not showing up or usable once the game is running?

during iso installation we're prompted with speech.lug file not being able to be installed

i found out that patch 1.42 fixes the children not grow up

You can improve the mouse problem by lowering the polling rate of your mouse, if it supports it. The children not growing up thing is an anti-piracy thing, install the 1.42 patch and it will go away.

i have a seemingly unique issue. the game works perfectly other than the fact that the left click is toggle and not hold. that means i have to click to pick up then click to put down or throw. it is incredibly annoying and i have no idea what could be causing it

is they a video on how to install

Does anyone else have a hard time moving their mouse? I put the sensitivity on the highest but moving my mouse is so clunky and I need a lot of time until I can click a specific button because its so hard to point at it.

just ran into an issue where the game will start but when I go to click continue it freezes. it all of a sudden stopped working. anyone know a fix for this?

Has anyone encountered an issue where all the main models (arm, creature, etc.) have a purple-blue color to them? Kinda like a normal or vector map.

Do you have any advice on where to dig to resolve the issue?

Thank you!!!!! Remember, install your patches in order.

@Gimbean
Press the backspace button. Just found that out myself

Hey folks, so the game seems to run properly, except one important thing. Cancelling actions by shaking the mouse from left to right doesnt really work for me. So as soon i accidentally started to build a road, i couldnt really cancel it and it was all over the map. Any ideas how to fix that?

Full disclosure - i have no idea if i installed everything correctly.
That being said, has anyone else noticed the mouse doesn't like to move diagonally? it seems to have a tenancy to go straight up and down or left and right

Loads of fun, but a buggy mess even with the patches.