Originally released in 2006 by software giant’s Ubisoft this action packed RPG has now been re-released in budget form by Avanquest (www.avanquest.co.uk/pr/messiah) and for once it is a game that has stood the test of time. In the single player mode you play the part of Sareth, the disciple of a mage called Phenrig. Once you get past the customary opening training period you are handed the task of finding the magical artefact – The Skull of Shadows which you do with Leanna the female love interest of this title. As with most RPG’s completing tasks gives you skill points which you can use to either upgrade melee attacks, or learn new magical spells or upgrade your stealth abilities. Also as per most games of this kind scattered across the fifteen hour campaign you will get the chance to pick up new weapons to use. These vary from daggers to bows and swords and there is also armour to collect. You also have to learn to fight more effectively. The more interesting ways of killing people include toppling some of the structures that you find on to them or kicking them into the spiked grates that you come across frequently. Once you learn the Telekinesis spell you can also throw things at the enemies. There are four Cyclopes to be found throughout the game are probably the most interesting of the boss encounters, they will kick objects at you and even pick you up and toss you clear across the room and can be quite difficult to overcome. There is also some puzzle elements to the game but for the main these can be solved by using a rope bow which you find fairly early on. This seems to have unlimited arrows and is used to scale the higher levels. The single player mode is one of the most enjoyable in the genre with some interesting twists and elements found within it, however, the multiplayer mode is even more enjoyable as all the auto kill elements of the single player mode are taken away and players are forced to concentrate more on their skills they have obtained. In Multiplayer the game offers Deathmatch, team deathmatch and crusade modes which can be played across five different maps. Like in the single player mode you do obtain points to upgrade your character but here you gain these by killing people or using the special abilities that you have learned. Graphically you will have no complaints about this game. The character modes are very well detailed and there are various excellent spell effects to be used. Lighting within the game is excellent and some of the environments are very well detailed. The game also draws you more into the experience by the use of great effects in the way the game handles your character’s perspective, for example you can move your head without having to move the rest of your body. There are some very well thought out sound effects for both the weapons and the spells and the music found within the game is suitable for the type of game it is. However, the vocal acting is not anything special. Overall this is an excellent title that offers up plenty of action and entertainment, especially at the new budget price. Both single player mode and multiplayer are enjoyable and there are some excellent effects to be seen. There has been reports of their being technical problems with the game involving the game frequently crashing however in the length of time I played the game this didn’t happen to me at all. If you are a fan of RPG action games this is definitely one that you should have in your collection and at the new budget price you really have no excuse if it is not. Highly recommended.
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