Arc the Lad II
| Arc the Lad II | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Developer(s) | Sony Computer Entertainment, Arc Entertainment |
| Publisher(s) | |
| Series | Arc the Lad |
| Platform(s) | PlayStation |
| Release | Arc the Lad II
Arc the Lad Collection
PlayStation Network
|
| Genre(s) | Tactical role-playing game |
| Mode(s) | Single Player |
Arc the Lad II is a tactical role-playing video game developed by ARC Entertainment for the PlayStation and is the second game in the Arc the Lad series. It was released in 1996 in Japan, and released in North America on April 18, 2002, as part of Arc the Lad Collection. The Japanese version was published by Sony Computer Entertainment, while the North American release was published by Working Designs.
The story continues from the first game, although the focus shifts from Arc to Elc. It expands from the gameplay of the first installment, with a larger world and a more diverse cast.[1] An anime was made based on this game.
Gameplay
World Map
- The environments in this game are a major improvement from the previous, where the countries of this world can now be viewed in detail on a bird's eye scale. Several new countries with ones introduced in the first game are revisited throughout the game as the plot unfolds. Most travelling is restricted to the game's plot in the earlier part of the game but players eventually gain global access by airship, either by the Hein or the Silver Noah. There are new and returning areas to explore in the countries as well. In adjoining to the battle system, players are no longer under restricted turn-based movement while going through dungeon/field areas. However, the battles can varied from random encounters to automatic entries to a section.
Battle System
- Just as in Arc the Lad 1, the characters do battle against monsters and enemies in strategy-based turns within different environments. There are some differences in the new battle style in this sequel in comparison to the previous game. Rather than fighting with all of your party members in each battle, the player now has to select between 1 and 6 characters per battle, depending on the battle's requirements. Not only does the player acquire several more playable characters (including returning characters from the previous game), but the player has the option of recruiting monsters into their party with the option of upgrading them and your other characters in a later time of the game.
Hunter Jobs
- In most cities in Arc the Lad 2, there are hunter guilds where the player can take on local jobs for that region. These jobs can include fetch quests, monster hunting and deliveries. Most jobs will including a degree of battle, along with its requirements to completing that particular job. Also in the guilds are bulletins stating about rare marked monsters that can be found in certain dungeon/field areas. Some jobs only become available after completing previously related jobs or certain plot points in the game.
Reception
Critics cite Arc the Lad II as the best of the original trilogy.[1][2] David Smith of IGN praised the game's expansion over the first game, writing that "Arc II grafts a bigger world map, more detailed dungeons, more complex character development, a far larger cast, and most of all a longer quest onto a combat system that remains pretty familiar."[1] Alex Makar of Gaming Age noted that the addition of the Hunter's Guild to the gameplay added an element of nonlinearity, allowing the player to complete many side-quests (or "jobs") and giving "the player a lot of flexibility in how they want to progress through the storyline." He also commented on the cast, saying that the characters were more likeable and had more personality, and that the "story is also a lot darker than it is in Arc 1, and has some pretty angst and melancholy ridden overtones."[2]
Smith's major complaint with the game was its graphical representation, saying that the game looks almost identical to the first game.[1] In contrast, Bethany Massimilla of Cnet.com called the character sprites "more vibrantly colored and better detailed", although she admitted that the "dungeons remain largely monotonous".[3]
References
- ^ a b c d Smith, David (2002). "Arc the Lad Collection review". IGN. Retrieved 2009-12-16.
- ^ a b Makar, Alex (2002). "Arc the Lad Collection". Gaming Age. Archived from the original on 2008-04-06. Retrieved 2012-01-01.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|dead-url=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ Massimilla, Bethany (2004). "Arc the Lad Collection (PlayStation)". Cnet.com. Retrieved 2009-12-16.