Champions of Norrath

Champions of Norrath is an action RPG of the American game developer Snowblind Studios on behalf of the Japanese publisher Sony Computer Entertainment. It was released in Europe on 25 June 2004 for PlayStation 2 setting is the world of Norrath in EverQuest universe.

Action

The storyline of the game is prematurely settled for the first EverQuest MMO. The character is asked at the beginning of the game from the Queen of the Wood Elves to assist their people in battle against the combined hordes of Orcs and Goblins. The journey takes the player from the tree city of Kelethin in the underworld of Norrath and finally to the final battle against Innoruuk, the god of hate.

Gameplay

Champions of Norrath follows the usual principles of action role-playing game and is very similar to the also previously developed by Snowblind Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance. The focus is on action-packed battles and the expansion of the character with those obtained by the fighting experience points and distributed as booty in the game world equipment. The plot remains quite superficial in comparison, and offers little decision-making opportunities. At the beginning of players from five predefined archetypes selects a character. You can choose between the classes Barbarian Warrior, Ranger, Cleric, Wizard, or Schattenelf, the different well on the three types of combat exclude ( melee, ranged, magic use). The player can choose the gender and customize the look with a choice of hairstyles, skin tones and the like. The character values ​​can be customized to some extent. Exist, as in Diablo 2, some sections of the game world of randomly generated maps. Together with the also randomly generated loot items should this increase the replayability. In addition, the game includes a local multiplayer mode and supports online play via the broadband adapter add-on hardware.

Technology

The game uses the by Snowblind for Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance developed Dark Alliance Engine and appeared on a two-layer DVD - 9, the reading could guide you through the hardware sometimes to wait for charging.

Reception

The game received high ratings in the trade press ( GameRankings: 85.17 % / Metacritic: 85 out of 100 ).

" " Champions of Norrath " can playfully convince all along the line and leaves any genre competitors behind. "

"Point with Champions of Norrath, the Snowblind Studios, has to look like a largely well-thought- action RPG: Varied levels, randomly generated dungeons, and an extensive character development system ensure easy game to play that either alone or with multiple players good for countless hours of entertainment can provide. "

Already in the following year published in 2005 Snowblind Sony and a successor with the title Champions: Return to Arms.