Champions of Norrath
Encyclopedia
Champions of Norrath: Realms of EverQuest is an online
-capable action role-playing game for the PlayStation 2
, set in the EverQuest
universe. It is playable with one single player or cooperative for up to four players. However, with a Network Adapter
, players can take the game online with others and kill others or join to form groups of adventurers. The game uses a re-worked and expanded Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance
game engine
. A sequel was created called Champions: Return to Arms
which was released in February 2005.
storyline, in which the player acts as a hero who must save the world via a series of quests and battles. The game begins with a quest to assist the elves in their war against the orc
s, who have formed an alliance with goblins (which is strange to the citizens of Norrath). However, the player must eventually travel to the underworld and beyond thanks to the antics created by the strange orc leader and his contacts. The game takes place in the focal world of the EverQuest
universe known as Norrath, prior to the events of the first EverQuest online RPG, which was itself prior to "The Shattering" of the moon Luclin. The game applies many elements of the EverQuest
universe. There are three main antagonists in the storyline: Pelys, leader of the orcs, Vanarhost, a vampire in the Underworld who also happens to narrate the entire game and Innoruuk, the God of Hatred.
is a traditional hack and slash
with several additional elements. During the opening sequence, the player selects a race, appearance, and skills. From there, the game continues to follow classic RPG standards, as the player fights monsters, explores forests, towns, godly domains and dungeons, obtains gold to purchase weapons, and so on. As the player gains experience, he or she will level up
and increase character statistics and abilities.
All characters have a series of spells and skills, which can be enhanced via the Ability Tree. The Ability Tree allows the player flexibility in choosing skills, chiefly because points may be invested in several choices at once. These abilities can increase damage, add new spells, etc. These choices are limited by several factors, including the character's level, the skill's prerequisites, and the total amount of ability points in the character's reserve. The points cannot be regained once used.
Equipment is often dropped by enemies, though there is a shop to buy items. Sometimes, the items dropped by enemies are much better than anything for sale in the shop. Each character has a weight limit (which is increased by strength) which only allows for a certain amount of equipment to be carried at any given time. However, the gate scrolls allow players to warp back to the nearest shop and sell excess inventory. Moreover, the armor and weapons are customizable, which allows players to fuse a weapon with statistical bonuses, elemental attack, and increased weapon attack speed.
Dungeons in the game cover many forms of terrain. As with most RPGs, many dungeons in Champions of Norrath feature a boss or large group of enemies that must be defeated to advance or obtain a special item. Traps and secret passages are also common in dungeons (for instance, destructible walls). Furthermore, the game offers two advanced bonus dungeon levels upon completion of the game.
The camera
allows for 360 degree rotation and three levels of zoom
. It is possible to import and export characters, which allows the player to save or load a character anywhere in the game while keeping the statistics and items of that character. This is important for scenarios which require a transfer of characters, such as online play, multiplayer games, and the sequel, Champions: Return to Arms
.
Savepoints and portals play a key role in the gameplay. First, savepoints also double as checkpoints, which may be accessed if and when a character dies. The Portals are activated when the player walks near the Portal. They allow the player to jump to key locations in each region.
Players may import their character(s) for online play, which can be accessed from a save point. This mode of play allows for players to join parties or quests. Players can join anywhere in the game, despite completion in the one player mode. Up to four players can join in the same game. It is a cooperative type multiplayer game that disables damage a player can inflict upon a fellow player.
Online game
An online game is a game played over some form of computer network. This almost always means the Internet or equivalent technology, but games have always used whatever technology was current: modems before the Internet, and hard wired terminals before modems...
-capable action role-playing game for the PlayStation 2
PlayStation 2
The PlayStation 2 is a sixth-generation video game console manufactured by Sony as part of the PlayStation series. Its development was announced in March 1999 and it was first released on March 4, 2000, in Japan...
, set in the EverQuest
EverQuest
EverQuest, often shortened to EQ, is a 3D fantasy-themed massively multiplayer online role-playing game that was released on the 16th of March, 1999. The original design is credited to Brad McQuaid, Steve Clover, and Bill Trost...
universe. It is playable with one single player or cooperative for up to four players. However, with a Network Adapter
PlayStation 2 Expansion Bay
The PlayStation 2 Expansion Bay is a 3.5" drive bay introduced with the model 30000 and 50000 PlayStation 2 designed for the network adaptor and internal hard disk drive...
, players can take the game online with others and kill others or join to form groups of adventurers. The game uses a re-worked and expanded Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance
Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance
Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance is an action role-playing game developed by Snowblind Studios for the PlayStation 2; later released for the Xbox, Nintendo GameCube and Game Boy Advance. It was re-released on the PlayStation 2 as a Greatest Hits title...
game engine
Game engine
A game engine is a system designed for the creation and development of video games. There are many game engines that are designed to work on video game consoles and personal computers...
. A sequel was created called Champions: Return to Arms
Champions: Return to Arms
Champions: Return to Arms is an Action RPG set in the EverQuest universe. It is the sequel to Champions of Norrath and is developed by Snowblind Studios.-Gameplay:...
which was released in February 2005.
Story
Champions of Norrath features a traditional role-playing video gameRole-playing video game
Role-playing video games are a video game genre with origins in pen-and-paper role-playing games such as Dungeons & Dragons, using much of the same terminology, settings and game mechanics. The player in RPGs controls one character, or several adventuring party members, fulfilling one or many quests...
storyline, in which the player acts as a hero who must save the world via a series of quests and battles. The game begins with a quest to assist the elves in their war against the orc
Orc
An orc is one of a race of mythical human-like creatures, generally described as fierce and combative, with grotesque features and often black, grey or greenish skin. This mythology has its origins in the writings of J. R. R. Tolkien....
s, who have formed an alliance with goblins (which is strange to the citizens of Norrath). However, the player must eventually travel to the underworld and beyond thanks to the antics created by the strange orc leader and his contacts. The game takes place in the focal world of the EverQuest
EverQuest
EverQuest, often shortened to EQ, is a 3D fantasy-themed massively multiplayer online role-playing game that was released on the 16th of March, 1999. The original design is credited to Brad McQuaid, Steve Clover, and Bill Trost...
universe known as Norrath, prior to the events of the first EverQuest online RPG, which was itself prior to "The Shattering" of the moon Luclin. The game applies many elements of the EverQuest
EverQuest
EverQuest, often shortened to EQ, is a 3D fantasy-themed massively multiplayer online role-playing game that was released on the 16th of March, 1999. The original design is credited to Brad McQuaid, Steve Clover, and Bill Trost...
universe. There are three main antagonists in the storyline: Pelys, leader of the orcs, Vanarhost, a vampire in the Underworld who also happens to narrate the entire game and Innoruuk, the God of Hatred.
Gameplay
The gameplayGameplay
Gameplay is the specific way in which players interact with a game, and in particular with video games. Gameplay is the pattern defined through the game rules, connection between player and the game, challenges and overcoming them, plot and player's connection with it...
is a traditional hack and slash
Hack and slash
Hack and slash or hack and slay, abbreviated H&S or HnS, refers to a type of gameplay that emphasizes combat. "Hack and slash" was originally used to describe an aspect of pen-and-paper role-playing games , carrying over from there to MUDs, MMORPGs, and video games in general...
with several additional elements. During the opening sequence, the player selects a race, appearance, and skills. From there, the game continues to follow classic RPG standards, as the player fights monsters, explores forests, towns, godly domains and dungeons, obtains gold to purchase weapons, and so on. As the player gains experience, he or she will level up
Level Up
Level Up was a UK children's TV programme that was broadcast on CBBC. It was launched on the 3rd April 2006, replacing Xchange. The show was an hour long and during the school year broadcasting from 7:30am until 8:30am...
and increase character statistics and abilities.
All characters have a series of spells and skills, which can be enhanced via the Ability Tree. The Ability Tree allows the player flexibility in choosing skills, chiefly because points may be invested in several choices at once. These abilities can increase damage, add new spells, etc. These choices are limited by several factors, including the character's level, the skill's prerequisites, and the total amount of ability points in the character's reserve. The points cannot be regained once used.
Equipment is often dropped by enemies, though there is a shop to buy items. Sometimes, the items dropped by enemies are much better than anything for sale in the shop. Each character has a weight limit (which is increased by strength) which only allows for a certain amount of equipment to be carried at any given time. However, the gate scrolls allow players to warp back to the nearest shop and sell excess inventory. Moreover, the armor and weapons are customizable, which allows players to fuse a weapon with statistical bonuses, elemental attack, and increased weapon attack speed.
Dungeons in the game cover many forms of terrain. As with most RPGs, many dungeons in Champions of Norrath feature a boss or large group of enemies that must be defeated to advance or obtain a special item. Traps and secret passages are also common in dungeons (for instance, destructible walls). Furthermore, the game offers two advanced bonus dungeon levels upon completion of the game.
The camera
Camera
A camera is a device that records and stores images. These images may be still photographs or moving images such as videos or movies. The term camera comes from the camera obscura , an early mechanism for projecting images...
allows for 360 degree rotation and three levels of zoom
Digital zoom
Digital zoom is a method of decreasing the apparent angle of view of a digital photographic or video image. Digital zoom is accomplished by cropping an image down to a centered area with the same aspect ratio as the original, and usually also interpolating the result back up to the pixel...
. It is possible to import and export characters, which allows the player to save or load a character anywhere in the game while keeping the statistics and items of that character. This is important for scenarios which require a transfer of characters, such as online play, multiplayer games, and the sequel, Champions: Return to Arms
Champions: Return to Arms
Champions: Return to Arms is an Action RPG set in the EverQuest universe. It is the sequel to Champions of Norrath and is developed by Snowblind Studios.-Gameplay:...
.
Savepoints and portals play a key role in the gameplay. First, savepoints also double as checkpoints, which may be accessed if and when a character dies. The Portals are activated when the player walks near the Portal. They allow the player to jump to key locations in each region.
Players may import their character(s) for online play, which can be accessed from a save point. This mode of play allows for players to join parties or quests. Players can join anywhere in the game, despite completion in the one player mode. Up to four players can join in the same game. It is a cooperative type multiplayer game that disables damage a player can inflict upon a fellow player.