A worthy remake of the original, Archon Classic will satisfy diehard fans and newcomers alike.
Archon Classic is a remake of the original Archon that brings back the same great gameplay but which also introduces some new innovations. Best of all, these new innovations add to the gameplay without making it feel like something that isn't Archon... and all of them are optional (so you can play it old school if you prefer, right down to opting for 8-bit graphics!).
All of the units are back and well-balanced, and the control scheme and handling is excellent. Furthermore, they all have optional secondary abilities, which in my opinion are quite well balanced and add more depth to the game (again, these are on/off toggles when you set up a game match). You can use any USB controller, the mouse, or the keyboard, and combat is fluid and fast. The art ranges from adequate to fantastic, as are the sound effects and music.
What really makes me rave about this remake, though, are the new additions (including the secondary abilities I mentioned above). Team play is a fantastic innovation that lets up to four players enjoy Archon at the same time, either in a free-for-all brawl or in 2v2 teams. You may think you've been having fun with your grandpa's Archon, but once you experience the insanity of 4 units battling at once (particularly in hot seat mode, oh the trash talking...), you'll definitely be hooked. For added fun, try it on one of the many new maps they've added, such as the Shapeshifter free-for-all. Everybody has a team full of shapeshifters only, and when they meet in combat you all become the same unit, chosen randomly. How fun is that?!
The game also boasts two new modes, Ascension and Invictus. Ascension lets units get XP, leveling up to level 3 for increased power, speed, and abilities. It really ups the ante since a leveled unit recovers all life, making that Dragon who squeaks by with 1 hit point a level 2 dragon with a full (and now larger) health bar. So go and be reckless, just make sure you win. Invictus mode scatters power runes about the map during combat, and units that pick them up get temporary boost to health, shots, etc., rewarding the quick witted and the lucky.
Finally, the game also features a campaign of sorts, where you take units through controlled scenarios and pit your skill against the AI. What more could you want? (Well, online play, but that may yet come.)
I don't have too many complaints, and the game is still being considered for patches as the developers respond to feedback from the community. That said, there are a few typos in the help menus (which otherwise are good and extensive) and the AI could use a little polishing (in particular, the spells are underutilized by the AI). Also, the graphics can be a bit hit or miss, with some units looking wonderful (I like the basilisk in particular) and others a bit off (the sorceress has a stunned look on her face, it's the eyes, and the fire elemental looks like less fiery than it could). These small problems won't bother you though... the rest of the package more than makes up for it.