Yes everyone the beloved Role Playing Game Wild Arms is back with its third installment. As many of you may know the Wild Arms series is just like any regular RPG with a twist, it takes place in a large western type world name Filgaia. The first Wild Arms game was released for the PlayStation Console in 1998 and put a different spin on the world of Role-Playing Games. First of all, there was no traditional Sci-Fi or swords-and-sorcery setting to be found in the game, but rather a hybrid Western fantasy world filled with monsters, and mystical but powerful firearms--the title of the game in fact refers to the weapons. Even though it played and seemed like a Western Game at times it also had that traditional Final Fantasy feel to it. The battle system itself actually is a lot like Final Fantasy’s. You just don't have all the magic spells and such and it seems to give you more freedom since it allows your character to move around during battle. Hardcore RPG and anime fans will feel right at home with the game's unique graphics engine. Unlike the other Wild Arms games this game uses cell shading that gives it more of an anime/cartoony look. Most PS2 owners may not be familiar with this kind of style because hardly any PS2 game to date is cell shaded. The visuals aren't the best that the PS2 can dish out but they are acceptable at the most part. However some moments in game tend to get a little choppy. Details are very well done though, but there is little to none facial expression nor mouth movement. The audio found in Wild Arms 3 was wonderfully done. They stick to the whole theme of the game by bringing you nice western tunes with some of that RPG goodness. The audio found in this title is fantastic and you will find yourself humming the tunes for days on end. The audio can get old after awhile though, seeing as there aren't too many tracks but it is enjoyable to hear and listen to. The battle themes are of course very fast paced to help bring the action alive and Wild Arms 3 does this wonderfully. Not only do you begin to feel like your life depends on each decision but it also does a great job of really bringing out the western feel of the game. When riding on horse back and you find yourself in battle there is this great original western tune that really brings the experience alive and really makes this title shine. The character's have no voices however so you'll have to do a lot of reading. The gun fire and spells casting sound effects are original and there is little if any problems about it. There is no doubt that the audio found in Wild Arms 3 is some of the best I ever heard from an RPG and is surely one of this title's strong points. The gameplay for Wild Arms 3 is pretty simple. You go around on foot around the desert waste lands and by pressing the square button it sends out a radar signal to pick up hidden towns and dungeons along with an occasional quote. Like any other RPG there are random battles that take place on a regular basis that will help your character level up and get stronger. Later in the game you'll also be able to buy and ride a horse which is quiet fun and it certainly travels faster! The gameplay is overall pretty simple and the battle system is as easy as it gets. You won’t find many complaints in this area except the game can get highly repetitive at times. You control a party of four different drifters through out most of Wild Arms 3 but the game also gives you a chance to have little mini quests with each character that tells their back story, and it also allows you to choose your group leader and that is the character you'll play as traveling from place to place. The game starts out on a train and there is a lone girl in a passenger car reading a book. Something happens to throw the train into a shaking state and you encounter what seems to be a brake in inside the storage car of the train. Once you enter the storage room of the valuable and rare cargo supposed to be transported, the fateful encounter begins! You then have the chance to play a mini quest of each of the four drifters to see what happened before this encounter and why they were there on that fateful day. You have the choice to play as either Jet Enduro, the cold hearted drifter who doesn't care about anything or anyone but himself. Virginia Maxwell, the new drifter trying to follow her fathers foot steps. Clive Winslet, the brave bounty hunter that is pure at heart. And last but certainly not least Gallows Caradine, the runaway priest. The story is entertaining and immersive but can lag in a few spots. If you like the series however then you will hardly notice it. New comers will find little to complain about it as well. The length is about over forty hours and the Replay Value of this game is highly likely for hardcore RPGers who want to find every little secret this game has offer, however the casuals will most likely never touch this game again. The game goes on to be pretty good with new challenges, plot twists, and forcing you to use all your elements and skills like magic, Summon Powers, etc. Once your objectives are clear and the big journey has begun you'll have the chance of buying horses which makes traveling much faster and during combat it looks simply spectacular as you fight and ride on your horse at the same time(and every character has their own type and color of horse I might add). This game isn't too hard or too easy but it’s a great RPG for any Gamer. So if you’re looking for a great RPG with that traditional Final Fantasy feel and some Western mixed into it then you definitely can’t go wrong with the Wild Arms series, but if you’re just looking for those magic casting and big sword slashing RPG’s then I suggest you look else where.
I paid: $20 I would pay up to: $30 ----------------------------- Wild Arms 3 is an RPG set in the Wild West. It borrows heavily from other RPGs, but has its own style and was a fun game to play. The art style of W... Read Full Review
Wild Arms 3 is a fantastic RPG. The plot, setting, and most importantly, characters, are all perfectly developed. This game does an excellent job at making you sympathize with the struggles of each character, as well a... Read Full Review
