Champions of Norrath (PS2)

This may be old news, but Champions of Norrath: Realms of Everquest is now priced at all of $19.99, which is an absolute bargain if you are into “hack and slash” type games. I wrote about this one back in the day. It is developed by Snowblind Studios, which happens to be the great development shop that developed the excellent Baldur’s Gate: Dark Alliance.

Champions may not sport the ever popular Dungeons and Dragons license, but it has the plenty successful Everquest moniker. I you like games that are long on fun, fairly simple in terms of strategy (i.e. it is hack and slash), leveling up, and the like Champions is for you. The graphics are beautiful, the sound is solid, and the gameplay is about the best you can get for this type of game. In short, Champions of Norrath rules.

My oldest son calls this one “the father’s day game” for reasons that I should not have to explain. I have not played Champions in a few months, but recently picked it back up as father-son activity. Hey, hacking an orc is quality time, right?

We are just inside the last part of the first section of the game. In order not to give away spoilers I will not elaborate too much; there are a bunch of spiders and I am about to have the first really nasty boss battle for that scroll/map thingy. My son is playing the dark elf warrior (he loves those disease bolts); I went with the archer guy to try something a little different. Anyway, perfect father-son game for my six-year old. Thankfully the developers allow you to turn off the blood effects, but interesting enough, some of the animals bleed. Go figure.

In my solo game I am putting out fires in the temple in the middle of a desert. Not sure how far this is in the game, and I am not about to read a FAQ to find out. In this game I am currently a level 17 barbarian; I went for brute force.

On a final note, unlike other games in the hack and slash genera, you can customize your armor and weapons, which adds a lot of depth. As an example, different items can be added to armor for extra fire damage, or the same item will provide fire resistance if you add it to your armor (gloves, boots, shield, breastplate, etc).

I would love to write more, but I am short on time. Think of this summary as the newer less frills version of what I would have written under the old banner. Norrath: Realms of Everquest is well worth the money and in my book is about as must play as it gets (for hack and slash fans).

Buy

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4 thoughts on “Champions of Norrath (PS2)”

  1. I got carpal tunnel from playing this over a 2 or 3-day rental.

    Played it online where you can get in cooperative games with people who’ve really built-up their characters.

    They’re making a sequel which is due after the new year.

  2. For what it is worth … I originally said this was a buy … then changed to a rent when I posted. I just said the hell with it and made it a buy again.

    I love this game, and I am sure that any fan of this type of game would find the $19.99 well spent.

    Still have not gone on line, but that is not really my thing.

  3. You are still missing out by not going online with friends (HINT). Coop hack and slash is some of the best gaming fun there is (HINT). Let me know (HINT). What does a guy have to do. :)

    Ted

    P.S. Did you get my book email?

  4. Ted – I have yet to pick up a headset. If it is worth playing without a headset, please let me know and we can try that, but I figured the headset was a must for co-op play.

    Check your gmail account for my book reply.

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