Arc Rise Fantasia Review: Bringing Back the Old School

After their success with Luminous Arc, Ignition Entertainment has once again tried

their hand at a fantasy RPG with features that will remind you a great deal of the golden era of RPG gaming on the PS2. This Wii exclusive uses the best of the console to bring a combination of decent graphics and intelligent and engaging game play fit for this generation. Japanese influence is prominent in this game and creates a familiar RPG atmosphere that old schools gamers will be able to relate to. However, Arc Rise Fantasia is not without its serious flaws in most areas.

Platform: Wii

Publisher: Ignition Entertainment

Genre: RPG

ESRB Rating: Teen

Release Date: 07/20/2010

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Graphics: 6.0 / 10.0

The graphics are about what you should expect on the Nintendo Wii in that there are some impressive lighting effects but nothing that will blow your mind. Many character models are obviously borrowed from other games and some graphics (like towns on the map or large structures) look boxy and poorly designed. If you don't have any experience with RPG games, you will enjoy the graphics. Otherwise, it will be distracting to see the same old models rehashed from other games and Arc Rise Fantasia itself.

Game Play: 8.0 / 10.0

Arc Rise Fantasia takes a middle of the road design into consideration - in other words, veterans will be able to jump right in without wasting too much time learning the game while beginners can use a great tutorial at the beginning to get used to the RPG mechanics similar to other games. You can choose whether or not you want to fight rather than being subject to random encounters so you can choose the pace of your progression.

Story: 9.0 / 10.0

Players take the controls as the hero L'Arc - a mercenary soldier set on defending the Meridian Empire from a ferocious invasion. You put together a group of friends, each wielding their own special weapons and skills to aid you in your quest. Party members can work together to unleash powerful creatures and attacks as well as use their own special skills to aid the party as a whole. The story in this game is excellent in both design and concept.

Music: 2.0 / 10.0

While the music is well done, the major sound problem in this game is the voice acting. The voices in this game are absolutely outrageous. They sound like parodies of the characters rather than being done well enough for you to get attached to any person in the game. Watch any voice over by a 16 year old kid on YouTube and you will get the same effect as the voices in this game.

Replay Value: 5.0 / 10.0

Grinding is a major portion of this game - often seeming like it was put into place to make the game seem much longer than it actually is. Brute force is usually your best choice and, while the game is fun to play, it is doubtful that you will feel the need to pick it up again after your first play through.

Overall Rating: 6.0 / 10.0

Arc Rise Fantasia is a difficult game to rate as it does a lot of things fairly well while falling flat in areas like sound and some clich and predictable story elements. For this reason, old school RPG gamers will enjoy the simplicity of the combat system and familiar combat elements while experienced players will likely want to look elsewhere for their fantasy fix.

Arc Rise Fantasia Review: Bringing Back the Old School

By: gamepodunk

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