Description:
Remember Gauntlet? That classic arcade action/RPG might as well be a million years old by now, thanks to the rapid evolution of game-playing hardware and software, but Blaze & Blade is a distant, almost unrecognizable descendant. Sure, there's four characters played by different networked players or the game's powerful AI, and they run around a fantasy world killing monsters and collecting treasures, but there's much more. You can choose from eight character types and build your hero up with different characteristics and alignments--you can play again and again from a wide variety of perspectives. Though the setting and opponents are relatively unimaginative, the graphics are sleek and reminiscent of the cartoonier anime in the broadcast market--plus you can quickly change the point of view to get a better look at the big picture. Most of the controls are intuitive, though it's definitely better to use a game controller than a keyboard. Party-member interactions take some getting used to, though you'll soon be swapping magic items and other goodies like it's second nature. It's probably better to think of Blaze & Blade as a complex arcade game than a true role-playing game, but either way you'll get just as much demon-killing fun. --Rob Lightner Pros: - Wide range of character types
- True multiplayer options
- Good quest progression
Cons: - Limited interaction with NPCs
- Less problem solving than most RPGs
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