Champions: Returns To Arms had the advantage of the success of the first game Champions of Norrath using a hugely improved gameplay and mechanism of Baulder's Gate. However, Returns to Arms itself is a very disappointing instalment for the series...if there is going to be another one.

Basic gameplay wise it is very similar to the first game. However, the twick and twist that was put into the sequel completely removed a lot of the fun factors offered by the original title. You can import your old characters from the first one into the new one, but then the abilities you earned from the first one was toned down. For example you will find the same skill now takes up more mana and if it is a summon e.g. the Hammer of Wrath for the Cleric class, it stays around much shorter than before. There are new skills to be learnt but then since they require higher level to unlock, it is a test of patience if you start a new character for the game.

The portal map approach didn't really do much good to the game apart from making some very taxing "side quests" available for players. But some of them are so difficult that you will just find them more like a frustration than fun. Even random enemies in the main story e.g. archers in the last dungeon could kill you with two hits. If this is the way that Snowblind thinks could prolong the game it is a bad move. Also the worst nightware is the inclusion of stealth unnecessarily inside the game. Especially all enemies in the stealth level is one hit kill on you disregard your level. Stealth works in action rpgs like Zelda and Beyond Good and Evil because it goes natural with the game, but in Champions, it looks awkward and at the same time frustrating. Just think if someone just like hack'n slash why would they want to play a very difficult stealth level in the middle of the game?

The game also has some very difficult bosses that can cause you to throw your controller, so get a sturdy controller before start playing it. Prices for stuff are as steep as they used to be and most of the time you can only get budget items from enemies, even in the courageous and champion modes. Also the fact that you can't repeat the same level again and again like the last game, and you can't import characters into a game once you started it made the whole gameplay very inflexible and annoying. For example you are in the middle of an adventure a friend came over and want to join. That could not be done unless you start a new game. This lack of flexibility compared with the first one is a HUGE put off factor for the fans of the series.

In all fans of the first game will still play this game but it certainly does discourage people to get the third one if there is any at all. The first Champions game got every aspect right but the sequel just ruined everything. But one thing is consistent between both games - you could not believe how many bugs are there in the game. Certainly more serious QC is needed for Snowblind in the future. Or maybe QCs there are all snow blinded?
Champions: Returns To Arms had the advantage of the success of the first game Champions of Norrath using a hugely improved gameplay and mechanism of Baulder's Gate. However, Returns to Arms itself is a very disappointing instalment for the series... if there is going to be another one. Basic gameplay wise it is very similar to the first game. However, the twick and twist that was put into the sequel completely removed a lot of the fun factors offered by the original title. You can import your old characters from the first one into the new one, but then the abilities you earned from the first one was toned down. For example you will find the same skill now takes up more mana and if it is a summon e. g. the Hammer of Wrath for the Cleric class, it stays around much shorter than before. There are new skills to be learnt but then since they require higher level to unlock, it is a test of patience if you start a new character for the game. The portal map approach didn't really do much good to the game apart from making some very taxing "side quests" available for players. But some of them are so difficult that you will just find them more like a frustration than fun. Even random enemies in the main story e. g. archers in the last dungeon could kill you with two hits. If this is the way that Snowblind thinks could prolong the game it is a bad move. Also the worst nightware is the inclusion of stealth unnecessarily inside the game. Especially all enemies in the stealth level is one hit kill on you disregard your level. Stealth works in action rpgs like Zelda and Beyond Good and Evil because it goes natural with the game, but in Champions, it looks awkward and at the same time frustrating. Just think if someone just like hack'n slash why would they want to play a very difficult stealth level in the middle of the game? The game also has some very difficult bosses that can cause you to throw your controller, so get a sturdy controller before start playing it. Prices for stuff are as steep as they used to be and most of the time you can only get budget items from enemies, even in the courageous and champion modes. Also the fact that you can't repeat the same level again and again like the last game, and you can't import characters into a game once you started it made the whole gameplay very inflexible and annoying. For example you are in the middle of an adventure a friend came over and want to join. That could not be done unless you start a new game. This lack of flexibility compared with the first one is a HUGE put off factor for the fans of the series. In all fans of the first game will still play this game but it certainly does discourage people to get the third one if there is any at all. The first Champions game got every aspect right but the sequel just ruined everything. But one thing is consistent between both games - you could not believe how many bugs are there in the game. Certainly more serious QC is needed for Snowblind in the future. Or maybe QCs there are all snow blinded?