Champions: Return to Arms

"Brilliant, one of my favorite hack and slash games to date."

Champions of Norrath was one of my favorite RPGs last year, and RTA now replaces CoN as my favorite PS2 RPG. Return to Arms comes back and brings even more to the table. Online is done great this time, no more problems with the online that CoN had. Anyways on to the (relatively short, kind of in a hurry >_<) review!

The graphics look amazing. They definitely show what the PS2 is capable of. Much better looking than CoN was. Spells look spectacular, and I am especially impressed by the ice spells. Enemies get frozen when hit by an ice spell and it limits their attacking speed and walking speed. A nice little effect that shows that the developers did not get skimpy on the graphics. Albeit, the game does not look as good as some of the other new games available, but for a gameplay based hack and slash game they are great. I have absolutely no problems with the graphics, they look great and get the job done.

The sound/music portion is pretty good. Sounds are well done, but the music is nothing to write home about. As for the sounds, all weapons sound nice when swung, spells have their own effect and enemies all sound pretty good. Overall sound effects are just plain out "good". The music can get repetitive and it's nothing all too catchy, but in all there's really nothing to complain about. Nothing ever gets annoying or just unbearable and to me, in a hack and slash RPG, that's all that matters.

Basically, the meat and potatoes of the game is the gameplay. Return to Arms stays true to hack and slash RPGs. The game is just plain out FUN to play. I actually have not played the single player so I cannot comment on it, because I have just been too hooked playing online. Working together with other players online, chatting, and just playing together is a great experience. It seems you get more "involved" with other people online in RTA than in some other games. I have already met a few people who I consider my friends now. Anyways, to the actual gameplay - You play in missions that I call "Acts". Because, basically, they are just like the Acts in Diablo II. Once you beat one act you go on the next. Each act has a different final boss for each, such as a metal robot boss for the "Plane of Invention", an act where you fight all robots. The controls are very responsive and I have no gripes with them at all. There are 7 characters to choose from - The Vah Shir Beserker, a feline character based mainly on physical attacking power. The Iksar Shaman, a mix of melee and spell casting. The Barbarian Warrior, a tough physical attacker(basically the "tank" of the game). The Wood Elf Ranger, a class specializing in bows, and a little meleeing. Dark Elf Shadow Knight, a "necromancer" type class. Able to summon a skeleton to aid himself, uses disease spells and can raise the undead to do his bidding. The High Elf Cleric, a healing class. Basically your "priest" or "white mage" of the game. Last but not least the Erudite Wizard, an elemental spellcaster capable of dealing large amounts of damage with his or her spells. All classes are a blast to play and you will have lots of fun leveling, gaining new spells, getting stronger, and making new friends online.

Overall, RTA is a very stellar game. It's definitely worth a buy if you're into hack and slash games or just RPGs in general. It is highly recommended that you buy the game for the online play. The single player is nothing to write home about, as playing by yourself can get very boring. If you have friends to play with in multiplayer, that's another story.

Reviewer's Score: 10/10, Originally Posted: 02/14/05