Numen: Contest of Heroes

Numen: Contest of Heroes is an action RPG set in mythical Greece. The hero of the game starts out as a young boy (or girl depending on the player's choice) who grows up on the island of Leros together with his sibling. At this stage of the game the player gets to try out the different abilities of the game's three classes: warrior, hunter and mage. The player's inclination is then automatically changed based on what abilities and weapons he chooses to use in combat. After a while the hero's sibling gets killed by a scorpion bite and the player carries her to Mount Parnassus for her funeral pyre. While his sibling burns the hero is contacted by a messenger of the Gods who offers him to become a follower to one of the Gods. The hero gets to choose between three Gods depending on which class he is. After several years of training the hero is sent on a mission to retrieve a powerful artefact, the Sickle of Kronos. The hero is not alone though. Each of the nine Gods have sent a chosen hero that compete against the hero in finding the sickle and bring it back to their Gods.

The game is played from a third person perspective and the player can move freely around different islands of the Aegean Sea. Interaction with the world is done with a mouse based point and click interface. This involves mostly fighting different creatures and talking to non player characters. In addition to ordinary weapons like bows, swords and wands, the player can use different special abilities that can be learnt by visiting a priest. This include for instance the mage's spells. The enemies that are defeated drop loot such as gold and different kinds of equipment that can be used or sold to a vendor. Equipment can get damaged when used in combat and then has to be repaired at a vendor. When dying the player is resurrected at the last resting place he used to save the game. Therefore no progress is lost but many enemies will respawn.

The RPG system of the game is based on experience. The player gets experience points for defeating enemies and completing quests. The higher level the enemy's level is compared to the player's the more experience is earned. When reaching a certain quota of experience the player gains a new level. The skills of the player is measured in six categories (intellect, dexterity, strength, endurance, focus and quickness). Upon reaching a new level these are automatically increased based on which skills are most central for the player's class, but the player also gets one point to distribute on whatever skill he chooses.

The player not only needs to complete his quests but also please his God in different ways. For instance the player can compete in duels against other heroes at the arena. In an arena fight all heroes have the same basic skills available and cannot use their normal equipment. At times throughout the game tournaments are announced where all heroes compete. The player can choose to ignore them but this will make his God angry. Another way to please the God is to buy and sacrifice an animal. Early on a small chicken is enough, but as the player gets more powerful the God will demand larger sacrifices. By pleasing his God the player earns God favour which can be used to wish for things that only the God can give.