Champions: Return to Arms

"Same old, same old; not that there is anything wrong with that"

First came "Diablo", then " Baldur's Gate I and II", then "Champions of Norrath" and now " Return to Arms". Each game has gotten progressively better than the ones before them, but in diminishing percentages. Basically, this is exactly the same game as "Champions of Norrath", even the weapon and equipment icons are the same. I find it strange, then, that critics who complained "Champions" was too short, would now complain that "Return to Arms" was more of the same, I guess some people, and especially critics, just are not happy unless they have something to complain about. The bottom line is that if you don't like hack and slash games, you won't like this, but if you do, you will love it.

GRAPHICS: 8/10 If it ain't broke don't fix it. The graphics were great last year, and are somewhat, but rather slightly improved here. Animations are great,, especially the werewolves in the first areas. There really isn't a lot here to blow you away, but nothing to really complain about either. I found the lighting to be too dark, but adjusting brightness all the way up took care of that.

MUSIC/SOUND: 8/10 I find that I really like the music and sound effects, and think there is plenty of each, unlike what other critics have said. You won't remember any of it when you're done, but it is well placed in the game.

CAMERA/CONTROL: 9/10 I found that the top down view pretty much eliminates any camera problems, and it is easily adjusted by the right stick. There are three views, and I believe it is somewhat improved over "Champions", since the middle view works best for me, and last year it was the far view. Unfortunately, any view but close up will keep you from seeing all the detail. The controls are pretty much perfect, and you now can easily switch from melee to distance weapon and take manna or health potions on the fly.

GAME PLAY: 7/10 You either love it or you don't. There really is nothing new here in the main quest. Kill enemies and open chests and acquire gold and new weapons and armor and level up to the end. You can now level up to 80, as opposed to 50 before, and there are thousands of weapons and armor and enhancements, etc. There are over 50 areas to explore, and over 100 hours for each character. About 1-5 minutes into the game you choose the good path or the dark one; which makes playing through a second time rather more inviting. After each major level, medal rounds have been added, which can up your stats as well as open new levels. These levels can range from ridiculously hard to ridiculously easy. If you know what your doing the game is pretty easy, until you come to one of the frequent bosses, which are impossible to beat until you figure out the secret, and then that is pretty easy as well. You can also choose to play in the arena against up to 3 or 4 others, and you can also play on line, which I don't do.

VALUE: 10/10 The game is way over priced at $50 for what is basically just an expansion pack, but you will definitely get your money's worth if you just play through the game one time. The replay value, though, is off the charts. With 7 classes, 5 of which have male and female counterparts, you could go through twelve times just there. Go both good and bad courses, and it is 24. Then you can still play on line and in the arena. You could, if you have the perseverance, spend thousands of hours on this one game.

FINAL COMMENTS: Last year I said "Champions" was the best of all the hack and slash games out there, and now this game goes that one, one better. If you never played a game like this before, you could just rent it first to be sure, but anyone who has ever liked a game like this will love it.

Reviewer's Score: 8/10, Originally Posted: 02/17/05