Champions: Return to Arms – Dev. Diary Vol. #1

We wanted the player to have more of an active role in the path the adventure lead. So very early in the game the decision is offered to the player. Both sides will be playing an alternate version of the game, good fighting bad and vice versa. This simple split in the storyline will help add to the replay factor as well.

The first title really forced the players down a linear storyline. In Return to Arms we wanted to give the players more control with their character development. A simple choice between good and evil is a major plot shift and will result in different levels and potential enemies.

New Characters

The first Champions of Norrath had a full suite of characters that all had unique skills and abilities. Now we have introduced two new characters to bring a new flavor in Return to Arms. The decision to use the Vah Shir and the Iksar was a difficult one.

A few different ideas bounced around the studio including a dwarf and a froglok. Ultimately, the decision was based on how large the actual character would be on screen. Although the dwarf and the froglok would be a ton of fun to play, they would be too small on-screen. The only camera that the player would be able to use is the closest one. Since the first title has three camera heights, we planned to support those heights again in Return to Arms.

So the Vah Shir and the Iksar are larger characters and easier to see. They also have very different styles and abilities for new and returning players to use. I am sure that once you see them with full armor and the new abilities we are introducing to the Champions world, you too will be quite impressed.

Importing Characters from the First Title

With all of the hours of gameplay that the first Champions offered, we didn’t want it to be lost with the introduction of the sequel. So the ability to import characters was a feature that we could not leave out. It is the main reason why we added additional difficulty levels to the game. Since returning players will now need to level up to 80 instead of the lvl 50 cap from the last game, it will be interesting seeing the mix of characters ranging from lower level to high. It is one thing that I believe will help players see what the game really has to offer. Now you will be able to go online and see what the high-level armor and weapons look like, and you might even get a few pieces thrown your way.

Conclusion

Champions: Return to Arms is essentially the best dungeon-crawling experience on your PlayStation 2. We didn’t change the gameplay dramatically since we love the way it plays and we know our fans love the way it plays. What you will find is more levels, more spells, more weapons, and more fun! The new redesigned multiplayer lobby will make finding games and friends easier then ever. Last but not least is the new versus mode that allows you to fight head-to-head against enemies and even your friends. Ultimate bragging rights can be decided, and the arguments over who has a more powerful character will end in Champions: Return to Arms.

We are extremely proud of this sequel and are looking forward to sharing it with all of you. Look for it first quarter of next year!