Wild Arms 3

What happens if you mix Final Fantasy and the Wild West? You get Wild Arms, a small and pretty much ignored RPG series for the Playstation in which you play an engrossing RPG in the wild west. Sound like a good idea? No, not really.

It seems sometimes like Japan is very very confused about the Wild West. Granted Japan likes to techno-ise anything (The Anime series Samurai7 is a good example), but for some reason, Japan likes to techno-ise the Wild West even more. For example, the Trigun series. However, it seems like they've stepped off the techno thing for this game, and just resort to some bastardized Indian Mysticism to replace the typical "Hidden Technology".

In the game, you'll notice one thing: Its cell shaded.



Yep, of all things they decided to do, they decided to Cell Shade the old west. While you'd think this would be a complete joke, this actually isnt so bad. Per se, its somewhat bearable. I'm not saying its the graphic style of the year, but it'd be better than using an style like found in the first Xenosaga.

As for the actual game, I hate to say, there isnt much to say. The game feels like a mix of Final Fantasy 8 with its complex attachments-to-characters system, and feels like Final Fantasy 10 in its sometimes annoying simplicity. The battles are unique in the sense that its the only RPG I've ever seen where the characters run around in a battle, ever since Chrono Trigger. I guess its unique, but.. big whoop. Also, there is a unique on-horseback fight element, but it does nothing to the gameplay at all- it feels like they just change the animations just a little bit.



One gameplay aspect you might notice is that the game's dungeons are like isometric puzzles. Jumping, running, finding little keys, etc, are going to be the trick of the day. Also, youy have to avoid "Traps" and the like, which may get annoying to purist RPG gamers, who don't like that action element in their RPG. While I assume it is supposed to make the game unique, I found it to more make the game annoying and strange.

Also, as a quick note, the World Map is a PAIN. Instead of letting you go and see a town on the horizon, it makes you constantly hit the "Scan" button, which will show you if you find a town/dungeon/signpost/hidden area. I'm sorry, I was under the impression that I didnt want to be slamming the Square button 24/7 on the world map so I don't miss the stupid town.

As for the music and sound, I wouldnt give it too much credit. The music, I will admit, is unique and fun to listen to, but it seems too repetitive. Nothing ever made me go "Wow, thats a good _____ song", but rather "Thats pretty cool, it fits it somewhat". Anyone can make fitting songs, but making one that impresses people is more important, in my opinion.



Overall, the game is pretty much only for people who are desperately looking for an RPG fix. Honestly, there is not much to say with this game: Its just kinda "Meh". If you desperately want to play an next-gen console RPG, this will fill you just right. However, I will say that this game is not revolutionary or amazing, and you'll probbaly be left with that "Meh" taste through the whole game.

I give this game two stars. Again, there are no jump-out-at-you problems, but cmon- its lame.

2 star(s) out of 5

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