True, Return to Arms could have been better, but with some very solid hack-n-slash action, it more or less gets the job done. If you’re any kind of action-RPG enthusiast, you’ll want to make sure you strongly consider purchasing this game.

By all means Champions: Return to Arms is a great game but the fact that everything it delivers has been seen and done before brings it down. If you're a fan of the genre and have drained all enjoyment from the Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance series, grab the game and it'll keep you happily tied over until the next - and hopefully more original - hack 'n' slash game makes its way to the PlayStation 2.

It's fair to say that with this many titles offering essentially the same gameplay that this is a niche that's well satisfied with what it's already got, and on that basis Return To Arms fits its profile beautifully. If you're already a fan of the Norrath, Baldur's Gate, AD&D: Heroes or myriad of other similar titles, you'll undoubtedly enjoy Return To Arms, as long as you can overcome its rather high difficulty level. Then again, if you're already a fan, you may welcome a stiff challenge. Novices, however, should start with simpler fare such as the Baldur's Gate games, which are easy budget pickups these days, or the excellent X-Men: Legends for that matter.