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.

Take Arms