I finally finished playing Arc the Lad. And I'd have to say that this game was wonderful. It got me back into the gaming spirit compaired to what WildArms2 did to me last time. Though I'd have to say that I haven't played the other Arc the Lad games, and I've only seen episode 1 of the anime when I wrote this review.

Instead of tell you how the story went and ruin things, I'll explain what I found to be good and bad about it. And since the good outweighs the bad, I'll put the good first :D

The Characters - There are over 10 characters you get to play with (with 2 main characters). All characters have their own walks of life and own personalities. Infact, if you have 'voices on' they say stuff that add to the personality that much more. They also react to the different situations in character and stay in character through the entire game. There are no messups. And even most npc's have different personalities, so everyone occupying the world mesh together nicely.

VoiceTalents and Music - Are very fitting to the game. Fact, the character voices fit the characters Very nicely. And while some characters have annoying voices, they aren't as bad as what I've seen on anime dubbing and they grow on you. As said previously, the voices reflect with the character personalities Very spiffily. The music is also wonderfully composed and fit great with the game to keep you into it.

The Plot - Is one of the best things I like about this game. It stays simple and to the point - there being seperate 'chapters' between Darc and Kharg (the main charries) to keep you into it that much more. And yet there is a handful of brilliant twists added as well. So while I never got lost in the game through it's plot, it kept me entertained cause So much unexpected stuff happened without warning that adds to the plot So much better. Any questions that come up earlier in the plot (such as a character's action) is fully explained later on with, you guessed it, More plot =D

The Ending - Nearly Killed me. Be warned that the last badguy is a Pain to get around and there's about 30 minutes of scene and fighting between the last enemy and the save point. But the entire hunking end of the game is so full of plot, answers, and heartwrenching emotions that it makes it all worth it.

Monsters and Character Visuals - This is one of few games I've played where I enjoy how the monsters look. The Deimos aren't just oridinary demoncharries. They all look original and of their own species. The characters all look different and the full animation of the game matches that of FinalFantasy 8 - more like L of Dragoon. Not to mention that in the 'status' page you can see fully colored pictures of the characters. The monsters, too, are simple and not extremely ugly or unfun to fight against.


Heh, alright, now the bad stuff.

If you're looking for a game full of puzzles, challanges, and sidequests, this isn't a game for you. The plot doesn't let you waste your time on fruitless side stuff. And the only challange you get it out of regular fighting (like in arena's where you have to fight with only 1 character and can only use items, or magic, etc). Sure there are one or two small question surveys you can do... But it's nothing major. So if you're looking for a game like Lufia2, WildArms, FinalFantasy7, or the such, this is not one of those types of games.

While the music is very nice, it's limited. So they keep playing the same tunes for the emotional parts (like the same tune for a sad part, or a 'ready to kick ass' part, etc). And in a specific chinese-like town towards the latter part of the game the music makes it very hard to concentrate for me. Though that part is short.

Since this game has been translated and dubbed, I give warning that the lips of the characters Do not sync up with what they are saying. It's nothing major and doesn't ruin the game. But if you have the voices on, expect it. Though I've seen Unsyncness in most games voiced over before. So it's nothing major.

I will not ruin the end, but I will say again that there is a space between the last save point and the last enemy that can get Very annoying and timeconsuming if the last enemy continues to kick your ass. I lost about 4 times and was practically screaming at the television in frustration. So make sure to have your characters at least beyond level 30 (25 for the women) if you want a chance at beating the last guy.


Actually, that's about it for the bad stuff.. XD

The game isn't short, it isn't obscenely long, and it keeps you drawn in the entire time. There's a great handful of messages in it that make it worth playing.

Also, there is much more I haven't come across in the game so far (cause I didn't look at a walkthrough until I beat the game, since you don't get lost or need help in Arc the Lad at all). Such as there are 2 supposedly secret characters, I believe. So I'll have to replay it sometime, ne? ;)

Favorite characters in Arc the Lad: (#1)Zev, (#2)Samson, (#3)Tatjana. Zev, to me, is the best explorer I have ever come across in a videogame. He has the Coolest tune, and he sits in bars at different towns and Drinks the ENTIRE TIME. There is so much more cool to him than I could express.

^^ hope you enjoyed this review.

Note on MotionSickness - There Is No MotionSickness in this game. Infact, where it looks 3dish on the outside, the bg doesn't move. I was momentarily fooled to thinking I would get headaches cause the town looks 3d. However, you get a flat view of it (you can't see the backs of houses, for example).. Also, the world map is flat. :D Good playing for everyone.

Cool! :D Makes me want to play, but I have no PS2 still. :/ Sounds like it has really good characters in it, that's pretty hard to find these days, to me atleast.

Fun fun. :D If I weren't so backed up on other games that I need to play, I'd probably think about getting it. I know LD wants to kill me for not playing Crono Trigger. XD And Ranc wants to kill me for not playing Earthbound. XD

I'm going to play the other arc the lad games first since I already have them. Somehow this one didn't look too appealing, but you seem to like it a lot...maybe I'll give it a try.

I still haven't finished this game ~_~ and this come from the guy who played himself through 200 hours plus of the Arc the lad Trilogy on the PS2. I really enjoyed the combat and story of this one. It feels more part of the Arc the Lad universe than 3 ever did. Everyone bashes 3 but I still enjoyed it. It held a great theme over all switching between brothers viewing the world from two vastly different perspectives it was a jewel.

Must unlock that secret character girl though it's too bad you can't use any of the secret characters on the story battles -_-

oo dude... it's not only great and wonderful that I'm not the only person who's played the game. XD And yes, the fighting is great. The plot is wonderful. Um.. All the rest of the stuff I said in the initial review I still hold to this day.

but... oo who's the secret characters? Crap, I'm now inspired to get a strat guide to find out who they are and how to get them XD The game kicked ass but if there's more charries to get it's worth playing again to see if it rules more.

>> btw. If you think the story switching thing and plot are cool. wait til you beat the game.. it rules SO much more at hte end XD

Wonderful review by the way still reading all those words in a row is bad for me I tend to sleep with all that :P The characters are Diekbeck and the eternal secret character from all the way from the first acr the lad. Although her name escapes me now. She is an immortal redheaded child.

You unlock them by beating the arenas. I do not remember the details.

^^ thanks for the compliment. ^^`` yeah, my reviews are sometimes long (the WA2 review isn't that bad). >> I need to make one for So2 soon once I beat it.

Anyway, thanks for the secret charrie name/s and help with that. I'll go through the net instead of buying a guide and see if I can't get them XP. Cursed arena's.. getting killed 28 battles through 30 or something like that Really pissed me off.