Champions of Arkazure Demo

As convenient as it may be, playing video games online with other people does not seem to be a very social activity at all. Back in the day, multiplayer implied a bunch of people in the same room sharing a keyboard or a TV screen, having fun or shouting at each other. Granted, there are times when the online component is required, such as MMOs, but local multiplayer needs to make a comeback as well.

Champions of Arkazure is a turn-based strategy game with RPG elements designed to be enjoyed the good old fashioned way: in local multiplayer with your friends. It’s worth noting right from the start that this is an early version of game, so you shouldn’t have high expectations going in. However, the demo may have been released a bit too soon, because it lacks too many elements that are vital to a proper strategy game, or any game for that matter.

Each player has a handful of moves at his disposal when his turn comes, such as attacking, moving or casting a special ability. Special abilities cost energy, which replenishes in time after you spend it. However, the lack of diversity is disappointing, seeing how every character is the same and the so-called special abilities are just another way to deal a bit of damage.

These issues can be resolved in future versions of the game, since it obviously needs more content, but it’s a shame that this is the first contact people are going to make with it. The maps and the level design is very basic as well, since it’s basically a grid with a few nondescript obstacles scattered from place to place. More variety is needed, and it’s paramount that players can use the environment to their advantage, because it encourages tactical thinking.

At the moment, most battles would resume to a basic skirmish in which all the players move close to each other and attack until only one of them is left standing. Movement can be used to avoid taking damage, but there’s little incentive to do so at the moment. On top of it all, the graphics are very basic as well, which wouldn’t normally be a problem if the gameplay had that special spark to keep you distracted.

All things considered, Champions of Arkazure is not a bad concept in theory, since we certainly need more local multiplayer games, but it needs some serious work before it can provide players with any meaningful fun. More characters, better maps and a few more tactical options would be a great start, and there’s still the matter of making it all fun as well.

Note: You can support the developer by contributing in the game's Kickstarter campaign.