Champions: Return to Arms

"A fantastic action RPG"

Champions: Return to Arms is the sequel to 2004's smash hit Champions of Norrath. With the inclusion of two new character classes, the option to choose between a good or evil alignment, and the addition of thousands of new items, Return to Arms (RtA) promises to be even more fun than its predecessor.

Story: 6/10
The story is not too important in RtA. It simply exists to guide the action along. The story that is there can be entertaining, but most of the characters are forgettable and insignificant. The storyline is the game's weakest aspect.

Graphics: 9/10
The graphics in the game are crisp throughout. The landscapes are authentic and the characters are realistic, particularly up close. The best part of the game visually is how the characters acutally change in appearance as they wear new armor or wield stronger weapons. The enemies differ greatly in size and shape, and RtA does an excellent job of reconciling this aspect of its presentation.

Audio: 8/10
The music throughout RtA is subtle and only adds to the environments of the various locations. Unfortunately, however, the characters must sometimes traverse the many planes of Norrath in silence, which makes playing the game feel awkward once in a while. In contrast, the sound effects are great. The player can tell exactly when a sword is being unsheated or a leather helmet has just hit the ground. The effects do justice to RtA's audio department.

Gameplay: 10/10
This is where RtA truly shines. Characters have to use both melee, ranged, and magic attacks to take down the wide assortment of monsters they encounter. Because of this variety, the game hardly gets repetitious. The level up and skill systems are effective, allowing for unique customizations. Also, level ups come relatively frequently, keeping the game interesting and fun for the player. Bosses are for the most part difficult in RtA, a step up from the original and a welcome challenge to experienced gamers.

Replay Value: 10/10
With seven available classes, two alignments, and four difficulty levels, the gamer can find himself playing the game through over several dozen times. It is not monotonous because of the different strategies required to take down certain groups of enemies. And with four-player offline capability, RtA is even more fun in a group.

Online: N/A
I am yet to play RtA online and therefore cannot evaluate this aspect of the game.

Rent or Buy: Buy, definitely. Few games have so much replay value or are so genuinely fun to play. You will get more than your money's worth.

Reviewer's Score: 10/10, Originally Posted: 03/09/05