zackeriah's Full Review: Wild Arms for PlayStation 1
I some how missed Wild Arms when it was first released back in 1997. So, about a month ago, I saw it at my local Software Etc. for under $20. "What a perfect time to catch up on the series." I thought. After all, the sequel (which is now out)was being released soon. I was expecting maybe an average RPG, boy was I surprised!
Set in the the world of Filgaia, Wild Arms starts out by letting you control one of three people--Rudy, an outcast. Jack, a treasure hunter. Or Cecelia, a princess--So basically your standard RPG characters. As I started playing, I figured out that you're not choosing a certain character to play through the entire game with, you have to play through each one's little mini-quest and get to a meeting point (Adlehyde). Once there, you all team up together, and stay together pretty much through the entire game.
After lending a helping hand and clearing out some dungeons, you return to Adlehyde to participate in a history exhibit. While at the exhibit, Belselk (one of the four demon Quarter Knights) shows up killing civilians and tearing the town to pieces. What for? It appears Belselk wants an item called the "Tear Drop" which Cecelia has. With it, the Quarter Knights can Resurrect their "Mother" and destroy Filgaia. Of course, Cecelia disobeys her father and gives Belselk the Tear Drop to keep him from destroying anymore of Adlehyde. Almost sounds like an episode of Power Ranger, huh?
So yeah, the story is a bit lacking. And it doesn't get much better as you progress through the game. You may read a lot of reviews on this game saying how great the characters are, etc. but I disagree! All three of the characters have virtually no personalities at all. Cecelia has got to be one of the most under-developed main characters I have ever seen in an RPG. You learn a little about Jack's past towards the end, but it's simply not enough! There is however a very cool sub-plot involving Rudy towards the end that I've never seen done before. So even though he has the least personality of all the characters, Rudy was my favorite simply because of the little cool twist towards the end. Oh, and this game tries really hard to "find the reason for fighting to save the world" that RPGs sometimes do for the characters. This leads to lots of unwanted banter that's so wrapped in morals it makes you want to puke. One thing I will mention is that I really liked the ending even though most thought it was awful.
So, a lacking story and bad character development. Why give it four stars? One word: Gameplay. Wild Arms mixes the elements I love most in both the Zelda and Final Fantasy series. The puzzles, while most simplistic, are very fun to figure out. The dungeons, which in most RPGs are usually a pain to get through, instead are really fun to play. The battles are pretty cool since each of the characters has different skills. Like Rudy getting different/more powerful Arms throughout the game and being able to upgrade them. Jack being able to master new sword techniques. And Cecillia using standard magic. The characters also gain the use of "Tools" as you progress. These Tools, such as a hookshot, a lighter and bombs will help you through many puzzles. There will be very little challenge for the average RPGer on the necessary quests. The normal enemies will be a snap to defeat as long as you upgrade your weapons and armor whenever you can. Some of the bosses about two thirds through the game are a bit on the difficult side, but it won't take more than two turns to defeat them. The optional side quest, The Abyss, is difficult though. Especially the boss!
The graphics are your standard 2D stuff. The characters are short, squatty and reasonably well animated, but the world map look like it uses the FX microchip like a Super NES game. In battles, the characters and enemies are in full detailed 3D. There's nothing to complain about here, they look good and the magic effects are nice. What's funny is that the FMV movie at the beginning (the ONLY FMV in the entire game) has characters that look nothing like they do in the game.
The soundtrack is fantastic. Kind of Western-like and kind of like Final Fantasy 6's music. Definitely a unique mix. The sound effects are cool too.
If only the story and characters matched the gameplay, Wild Arms could have been one of those timeless classic RPGs. Even though it's flawed, I'd have to say that Wild Arms is one of the most fun RPGs available on the PlayStation. And for that, it gets a very deserving four stars.
It is said that 1 000 years ago Filgaia was a prosperous fertile world protected by the mythical Guardians. Until one ill-fated day when the evil race...More at eBay
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