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FAQ
General Information
What is Champions: Return to Arms(TM)?
Published by Sony Online Entertainment (the creators of EverQuest(R)) and developed by Snowblind Studios, Champions: Return to Arms is the powerful sequel to the must-have action-RPG of 2004 Champions of Norrath? for the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system. Champions Return to Arms offers up to 100 hours of gameplay per player character. Players take on a role as any one of seven races (or you can import your character from the first game in the series). You can either adventure alone or with up to three friends (online or offline via Multitap) in a fantasy world set within the EverQuest world.
What's the premise? What's the story like?
The story picks up after Innoruuk the Prince of Hate has been defeated and shattered into shards of hate that were strewn across the Planes of Power. Champions have been summoned to serve either the forces of Good or the legions of Evil. You must choose your path. You may either roam the planes, searching and destroying the shards to rid the world forever of the blight of Innoruuk; or you may gather the shards to resurrect your fallen prince. The choice is yours.
Where does Champions: Return to Arms take place?
Champions: Return to Arms encompasses many of the familiar lands of EverQuest and is set several hundred years before the timeline of the current EverQuest PC game. The players' journeys will take them through the Planes of Power. The Planes represent different themed areas which will be very familiar to EverQuest players and will be engaging to those new to the world. Some of the Planes that players will get to explore are: The Plane of War, The Plane of Innovation and The Plane of Air.
What?s different in Champions: Return to Arms from Champions of Norrath?
Champions: Return to Arms features two new playable races. It also includes new multiplayer options such as head-to-head arena duels, non-linear side-quest Medal Rounds with unlockable secrets, and changing storylines based on player decisions. There are also expanded online features, new kills and spells for all classes, more monsters, more items, more levels, and more fun!
When was it released?
Champions: Return to Arms is expected to ship to retail stores on February 7, 2005.
What is the ESRB rating for Champions: Return to Arms?
Champions: Return to Arms is rated T for Teen (Blood & Gore, Violence).
Can I play Champions: Return to Arms with my friends?
Champions: Return to Arms offers both single player and multiplayer action. The game features an online multiplayer component at no additional cost to players*, allowing up to four players to adventure in Norrath over the Internet using the Network Adaptor (sold separately) for the PlayStation 2. Players can also import their characters into friends' games and then take them home to play solo - the play options offer console gamers the freedom to play anytime and from any location. A group of four can also play on a single PlayStation 2 using the Multitap (sold separately).
*(Internet connection required for online multiplayer game modes, online connection fees are the responsibility of the user).
Can I play Champions: Return to Arms online?
Champions: Return to Arms allows a player to join up to three other players for online gaming using the Network Adaptor for the PlayStation 2. Players can play via broadband connections through SOE's matchmaking service.
Is a monthly fee required to play?
There is no monthly fee for Champions: Return to Arms.
Is this a Massively Multiplayer Online RPG?
No. Champions: Return to Arms is a single-player-focused console action game. While there is an online component, the game is centered on an exciting campaign designed for a single player.
How is Champions: Return to Arms different from other console RPGs?
Champions: Return to Arms combines the intensity of an action game with the depth found in most console role playing experiences. With thousands of items, multiple unique skills and spells, and randomly generated content, the replayability of Champions: Return to Arms goes far beyond any action RPG found on console to date.
Who is the developer?
Snowblind Studios, the creative minds responsible for the original Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance? and for the development of Champions of Norrath for PlayStation 2.
How long has it been in development?
Champions: Return to Arms has been in development for more than a year.
What platforms is Champions: Return to Arms released on?
Champions: Return to Arms is available exclusively for the PlayStation 2.
Where can I buy the game?
Champions: Return to Arms is sold through traditional retail channels.
How do I become a beta tester?
Beta testing has ended. We thank you if you participated.
Is Sony Online Entertainment a publisher for the PlayStation 2?
Yes.
Where can I find out more information on Champions: Return to Arms?
For more information on Champions: Return to Arms, please visit: http://www.championsrta.com.
Gameplay
How many hours of gameplay?
With the amount of detail and content to explore and the ability to play through the game with the same character five different times, players can expect up to a hundred hours of gameplay per player character.
Can I fight my friends?
Yes! Along with playing cooperatively with your buddies, there are several new multiplayer gameplay options, including Arena Mode where you can fight it out to see who truly is the most powerful.
How many items?
Thousands of items are available to players.
How many spells?
Each class has more than 13 skills and/or spells. These can be leveled up to twenty times to increase not only their power, but how they function as well.
How many missions?
More than fifty missions, with a mission menu containing non-linear side-quests.
What is the goal of the game?
The goal of Champions: Return to Arms depends on choices you make as you progress through the story. Players will create a unique hero of great power by adventuring, fighting creatures, gaining experience and acquiring unique skills and items. The action and storyline lead to a final confrontation between good and evil.
How many characters can I control in Champions: Return to Arms?
The player controls one character at a time and may group with up to three other players.
Can I have conversations with non-player characters (NPCs)?
NPC's will provide missions and helpful hints for the players throughout the story.
How does inventory work?
Players can collect, buy, and sell hundreds of items and equipment for their characters. They may equip items that are appropriate to their class if they so wish, or simply discard unwanted loot.
How many item slots do I have?
Each character can equip five different armor locations: chest, head, arms, legs, and feet. Additionally, they may equip a weapon, shield, and three pieces of jewelry.
Can I gain experience and level-up?
Yes, each player character may reach level 80, gaining new skills and spells as they do so.
How many levels are there in the game?
More than 50 levels with non-linear side quests.
How often and when can I save the game to my memory card?
There are specific save-points that are spread liberally throughout the game world. You may also export your character for play on your friend's PlayStation 2.
Characters
Can I import my character from Champions of Norrath?
Yes! Load up Return to Arms with your Champions of Norrath memory card and import your character and keep progressing. New skills, spells and items await you, and the level limit is 80, so even your level 50 character will be able to keep getting better.
What races/classes can I play?
The original classes return from Champions of Norrath each with new skills, spells and items: Barbarian Warrior, High Elf Cleric, Wood Elf Ranger, Erudite Wizard, Dark Elf Shadow Knight. Each of these race/class combinations are playable as either a male or female character. Champions: Return to Arms also introduces 2 new playable characters: the Vah Shir Berserker and the Iksar Shaman.
Can I save my character to the memory card?
Yes. Players can also import and export their characters to take to friends and join in their adventure.
How many characters can I have?
As many as your stock of memory cards can support.
Can I customize my character's appearance?
Yes. Players can choose skin tone, hair style, hair color, tattoos, facial hair, hundreds of armor variations and thousands of distinctive weapons for unmatched character customization.
What starting equipment do I receive?
Players start with a set of armor and basic weapon and will quickly find new equipment to replace the starting items.
How does the combat system work?
Combat is primarily geared as an action experience. By providing a number of spells based on the player character's class, there is quite a bit of RPG depth included. Also, certain creatures are more or less susceptible to different types of attack, so learning what works and where adds a strategic element.
What happens when I die?
You return to the last check point you discovered.
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