jesus_sandals's Full Review: Wild Arms for PlayStation 1
It's strange how I came across this game because I should have avoided it by default for two reasons. First of all, I live in Spain. This may sound irrelevant but as gaming has become a big business over the years, companies have been able to afford to translate games in their respective countries. That means any game I now buy in Spain will be in Spanish. Second, I'm not the biggest RPG fan in the world. I happily plundered my way clumsily through the 4 FFVIII discs (while setting an example to onlookers of how NOT to play RPG's) but didn't really enjoy them all that much.
But this game is seriously immense. I bought it second hand, aware of the rave reviews it got at the time of it's release. So I'll give a quick breakdown of the game's various points here:
Graphics
The game's major weakpoint and most likely to put people off buying the game itself. Bear in mind this was one of Sony's first (if not THE first) RPG's for the Playstation. But while the graphics are simple and cartoonish, they serve their purpose and do their job. The unspectacular effects accompanying the spells go down like a wet firework though.
Sounds
Average. The sound effects tend to sound unrealistic and certainly aren't anything to marvel at. However, the soundtrack is great. I'm not sure if this is a personal preference as I can imagine someone else squirming uncomfortably listening to it but to my ears, it sounds great. In fact, apart from FFVIII and the spine chilling musical interludes of Resident Evil 2 (which is simply the best in game music of all time), it's one of the best soundtracks I've heard
Playability
If I can understand the simple menus in Spanish, then you'll have no trouble in your native language, I can guarentee it. The fighting is done using the old polite "You hit me then I'll hit you" turn based routine, with various options to make your character defend himself, attack, use spells or items and so on.
Another area in which this game shines is when the game is in NON combat. By this I mean the usually "dull" village exploring. In Wild Arms, there are crates to smash, secret areas to find and secret items to uncover. There's even a fair you can visit with subgames to get you secret items.
The various personalities and plots of the main characters will make you want to see the game through to the end. And you should do, trust me, it's worth it!
Lastability
This game is no pushover. But then again, I can hardly lay claim to being the world's most accomplished RPG player. Dammit. But still, I know a challenge when I see one. Especially when it's in Spanish. Dammit. Again.
But you may even want to play it through again for all the little secrets and nuances that make an RPG.
All in all, as someone who can usually be found screaming obscenities at poor unsuspecting gamers online while playing 1st person shooters, I enjoyed this game lots. Check it out if you like Alundra, FFVII or VIII or any other RPG...
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