Take Arms

Take Arms is a multiplayer-focused, side-scrolling shooter. It features the three classic multiplayer modes: deathmatch, team deathmatch and capture the flag. The exact goals change with the mode, but generally the players move their avatar and shoot enemies when they come in sight. Each combatant carries a main weapon, a secondary machine gun and some grenades; all of them have limited ammo available. Additional ammo or health can be picked up from the remains of killed enemies.

The players can choose between three classes which have different main weapons and can take more or less damage: Striker (sniper), Destroyer (can take more damage) and Grunt (somewhere in between). After each re-spawn, which happens a few seconds after being killed, the class can be changed. The level design features various platforms which can be crossed by jumping (there is also a quick drop available) as well as chest-high obstacles which may be useful for the Striker class. Before starting a new match, the players can change some parameters (e.g. which of the three maps to use, the score limit or the time limit). Each kill rewards experience points and eventually new ranks.

While the game is focused on multiplayer (only online or over system link), it is also possible to set up matches against bots. The player statistics are kept separate for multiplayer and single-player matches. The freeware Windows port features only the single-player component.