Champions of Norrath: Realms of EverQuest for PlayStation 2

Summary

The makers of the pretty cool Baldours Gate 2 : Dark Allience and the makers of the populated online Everquest game were smart enough to team up and make one of the longest RPG's on the Playstation 2. If your looking for an addiction, this hack and slash syle game is a must-have game. You have a semi-good choice of playable characters, a lot of NPC's (non-player characters) to meet, and a HECK of a lot of monsters to play. But the biggest plus that this game has is that it is online/offline. You can play online with up to 4 other players, either joining their game to go to where they are in the 70+ hour game, or you can host your own, and let gamers come to help you with your quests. Its also head-set compatable, so you can talk to your team whenever you want. Offline, on the other hand, is also 4 player via the Multitap. You could buy one for around $20-30 and they are useful for this game and others.

Sound

Sound... hmm... The sounds are pretty realistic, like the swinging of swords and the footsteps. Theres only like 2-3 tunes that you listen to, and those are like a little hymn-like. Sound is o-k, but not the best ive seen... or heard.

Gameplay

The gameplay is one of the best ive seen. By the press of a button, you'll be swinging around your battleaxe, or shooting an orc square in the head from 50 feet with a bow. You have two buttons ( Triangle and Circle) to use for spells/abilities, which are easy to use and switch around. You have a choice of 5 different categories : The Human Barbarian, The Wood Elf Ranger, The High Elf Cleric, The Erudite Wizard, and last but not least, the Dark Elf Shadowknight. Each one of them has their advantages (example : A barbarian has great attack skills.) and dissadvantages (they dont regenerate mana) so you have to choose carefully which fits your fighting style best. There are many different places you go to while playing this game. From up in the clouds, to down in the underworld, this game has got it all. They have generated dungeon maps, so no game experiance will be exactly the same. One of the coolest things about this game is that you can create your own weapons with cool gems. There are many different types of them, and they give bonuses to weapons and armor such as lightning attacks or cold resistances. Always look for these as they will give your character the advantage for the battle that you might need to succeed. Dying in offline mode is just like any other game : You lose everything you got between your last save point to the place you died. Online, however, is much different. If you die online, you have to wait until one of your teammates gets to a save point. Then you will be ressurected with all your life and mana points. If both of you die, then i think you go to the nearest major city available. So in conclusion of the gameplay, its extremely good!!!