User Rating: 8.5 | Champions of Norrath PS2
This is definitely a fun game. There is no denying it. If you are into the fantasy role-playing thing at all, it should be a cool title. Now, for those of you who were Diablo 2 addicts, there may be nothing new here. In fact, the skill system and the system to upgrade your weapons are disturbingly similar. If you just can’t get enough of this type of thing, you may want to pick up CoN. If you can’t stand Diablo-style games anymore, you’ll find nothing here revolutionary enough to make it worth another trip. Another issue I had when buying this game was this: CoN or Dark Alliance 2? Well, I think this is a tougher choice to make than most of the articles I’ve read seem to indicate. There are a few things I like better about each game (bearing in mind that I’m not really into either for the multiplayer). Some of the control schemes are better for DA2 I think. You have more special abilities and faster access to them in the control scheme. The graphics are better in CoN, but that’s mostly in the fully-zoomed-in mode. Graphics in this mode are sweet. Unfortunately, it’s almost impossible to play any challenging level or boss in this mode. When you’re bashing your 100th mammoth ant however, it is fun to get a little eye candy and zoom it in. I like the skill system in DA2 better just because it’s less Diablo 2 derivative. It’s actually similar to the 1st DA. Replayability is probably better in CoN because you can take your ubercharacter and go through the story again in hard mode. You can also take your character and put him online (if you have broadband). Also, the new info is that the Champions sequel will allow you to import your character into it, providing more fun with him. Although DA2 doesn’t really suffer in this category either, once you’re done finishing the game with your ubercharacter, there’s really nothing you can do with her. Finally, I like the upgrade system better in DA2. The upgrade items in CoN are just too hard to come by. I have so many items just waiting to be upgraded, and I rarely find a useful upgrade item from monster drops. Overall, I would have to say pick up this game, but it’s not going to win any big fans from people who already don’t like the genre or are sick of it from playing Diablo 2 to death.
