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An entertaining story

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 41 / 43
Date: August 02, 2003
Author: Amazon User

I have been interested in this game recently, and I finally gave in and bought it. It is well worth every penny. I have been a major RPG fan for years, and this one is high on my list now. I think the most powerful and recommendable part about this game is its story. It is a story that is TRULY epic. I remember thinking to myself at one point that the plot twists in this game seem more like something from Shakespeare or mythology than the standard, run of the mill RPG. The issues of racism, hate, and prejudice are all handled so well in this game, and it makes the characters much more interesting than just powerful heroes. The story is also very seldomly predictable. I like this a lot because some recent RPGs have been so easy to predict, like FFX. With a couple of thoughts, about 90% of the storyline could be foreseen after reaching only about the half-way point of the game. I think that this RPG does not fall to this error at all.

Also, I really like the battle system in this game. It is really similar to FF Tactics. The style is move around and attack. It keeps the turn based style a lot more interesting than usual. It is a definitely refreshing change.

I also loved the music and graphics in this game. It is completely stunning.

The only drawback is that there are no side-quests (unless you want to fight in arenas to unlock secret characters, which there are two of), but the story runs so smoothly that they really aren't necessary.

I hope that many of you will buy this game and enjoy it as I have.

Following in the footsteps of greatness

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 6 / 9
Date: June 29, 2003
Author: Amazon User

When I turned the game on for the first time, I was reminded somewhat of the FFVIII and FFX movie sequences. The storyline and lore are not only intriguing and fantastic like the FF's, but we now have a spirit system, fans of the Suikoden series would like to call these "ruins," that I loved. Like the Suikoden series there are also "true spirits" and he who holds them all will have the power to rule the world. The battle system reminds me of FF Tactics with free movement during your turns. The world map reminds me of the Chrono Trigger/Cross series. All in all, this game is truly remarkable.

A Superb Game

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 1 / 1
Date: January 31, 2004
Author: Amazon User

Having played RPGs since Activision days, this is one of the finest games I have yet enjoyed. The story line is gripping, varied, and rather realistic. The characters are beautiful, with inner strengths and cultural baggage as have all people. Game play seems a bit slow at first, but once you get used to it, it becomes engrossing.

The backgrounds are inviting and share the same realism as the animation. While it does not contain side quests (save fighting in the arenas to obtain two hidden characters), you feel as though you were part of a Homeric epic.

Criticism has been given that you have to read too much. I did not find that the case. The dialogue moves the story and engrosses the player until they actually care what happens to the characters. Of course, if martial arts hack and slash are you cup of tea, this game might not be for you.

My singular problem with the game is it is geared for fans of the Deimos (demi-monsters). There was little enough time spent with Kharg and his team, my personal favorites. However, this can be easily refuted by fans of the Darc and the Deimos. I recommend playing this game and deciding for yourself.

A literate, sensitive portrayl of classical themes that span centuries and cultures, this game has a great appeal. Give it a chance, and you will feel as if you have interacted in an epic battle yourself.

A Great Game, Indeed!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 1 / 1
Date: May 05, 2004
Author: Amazon User

Well, I have to say first of all, I regret not playing this game sooner. I have gone to Blockbuster countless times, seeing this game on the case and turning my nose up at it, and, until recently, I borrowed Arc from a friend, negligently at first, though. Well anyway, to the review.

Graphics: Not the best in the world, but the storyline and the music, more than make up for it. The magic spells cast makes the game more visually accepted, good eye candy.

Music: Wow! This is what truly makes the game feel like your accomplishing something. The music makes you feel like your fighting a giant army of billions...well not quite, but it has encouraging music. Beautiful is nothing short of what the music is like.

Storyline: War, racism, betrayal, love, and death. What else is there to like in a story? Well, nothing...this game has it all. The creators really almost make you feel for the characters. You play the game as two main characters, Darc and Kharg. Darc is a half-human, half-demon (Deimos), but physically looks more like a Deimos. Kharg is the same as Darc, but looks more like a human; in fact, he shows no sign of having a Deimos origin until later. The game wages war in two different ways. In Khargs story, it's Humans vs. Deimos vs. Other humans. And with Darc it's Deimos vs. Humans vs. Other Deimos. I don't want to ruin the story by explaining why Darc and Kharg are fighting the people they fight. The characters are completely different physically, but mentally they are very much alike. Of course with war, usually comes racism and a lot of betrayal...A LOT...I mean you get back-stabbed dozens of times, though, at times Kharg seems to get back-stabbed the most and most of the back-stabbings are a result of his own stupidity and gullibility. At one point Darc literally does get "back-stabbed". This is just a touch on the story and I'll leave it up to the readers to find out the rest.

Overall: A definite 5/5. A great game in anybodies collection, though not for the person who wrote his/her review in a giant on-going sentence, but the point is I'm sure you'll like it, because I sure did.

A very unique, different game with a great story!!!!!!!!!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 1 / 1
Date: December 23, 2004
Author: Amazon User

I know many people have different oppinions about this game. My oppinion is that it's really worth buying. I've been playing many games, but i ve never been stuck to the ps2 for as long as this game!!! Sometimes I'm even playing it for 4-5 hours straight during winter break when i have free time. . . before playing ATL i was playing final fantasy X, but's it's been on and off - I'm not even done with it!! It's a good game (FFX) but i don't really see what's so special about it. To me the battle system of FFX was too common. But I'll get on with it, since this isn't a review for that game.
So anyways ATL:TOS is the best rpg ever in my oppinion! I loved how you can see one story unfold from two different perspectives and every character had his or her own personality and strengths and weaknesses. I grew to love all the characters, especially Darc, Delma, and Maru! The plot is really tense or peaceful-there are many feelings of hatred or anger, at the same time many happy feelings.
You travel on a map, and I loved that (Its unique, and no having to walk around pointless places to get to your destination!) The battle system was great. Its different, and though may be long i never found it dull. You have to think strategically as to where to hit your opponents from (from the back you'd give them more damage) From what distance and where (you move during battle!!) there are many spells and special moves, and characters can even combine attacks. The graphics and moderately high, Its easy to move around, and you get attached to characters!! sometimes I find myself wondering what will happen next even when not playing the game (I'm not completely done with it and can't wait for the ending but feel sad that it'll be over) (I hope they'll make another ATL game) Basically the best parts of the game are : story, gameplay, uniqueness, and depth (this game is filled with meanings). All in all, don't hesitate to buy this-just do it!

Good all around game

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 1 / 2
Date: August 29, 2005
Author: Amazon User

The story of this RPG is amazing. There is a unique perspective shift between the main characters, and the way the two characters' stories are tied together is very well done. The characters are diverse and each one is very believable in motive. The character development is well done for even the minor characters.

The voice acting in this game is remarkable as well, though some of the in-battle voices can get slightly annoying.

I guess there isn't much more for me to say considering most of the reviews seem to be pretty good. I definately recommend this game.

Quite good

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 1 / 1
Date: April 10, 2004
Author: Amazon User

This is a very good game, overall. The tactical battles are a good progression from the previous Arc games, and are a lot of fun. The two alternating viewpoints of the story are good, and the game does a good job of creating a hero who is apealing and sympathetic despite being a pretty far cry from a conventional good-guy RPG hero. As an added bonus, it has some of the best music- especially battle music- I've heard in a while.

There will always be hope...

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 0 / 0
Date: January 01, 2007
Author: Amazon User

I absolutely loved this game despite the fact that I had never heard or seen the Arc the lad series. I had a lot of low expectations of it, because I use to feel that no rpg game compared to Final Fantasy 7 but this game changed me completely. Okay, here's alitte sneak peak in my own words. You play two main characters who have a strong secret (no spoiling) connection to each other and fight hard to defeat and rid the world of basically humans or monsters called "Deimos" depending on which side you prefer (you are basically both). I choose deimos =D. Anyway, comes down to the fact that there's a big bad guy wanting to destory the world and you for the first time have to defeat him by bringing hope and peace between humans and deimos for a brief time. It's just really captivating. I am a REALLY picky gamer...but trust me if you like rpgs and drama plots or dig the series this should be on your list. I hope I helped out!
=D

Give it a chance!!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 0 / 0
Date: May 27, 2005
Author: Amazon User

Arc the Lad Twilight of the Spirits is one of the most amazing things I have played in awhile. I bought it a year ago, put an hour in to it, and it drifted to the back. Now I have picked it up again, and I am completely obsessed.
First off, Arc the Lad doesn't revolutionize anything. Not a big deal. It's your typical RPG, it's battle system is like a REALLY dumbed down tactical style. Everyone has a sphere of movement, and you run up to a guy and select attack, or heal or whatever. This obviously isn't where the game shines. (I will note that just because it isn't a distinguishing feature, it's not bad. Leveling up is pretty fun, and you get to do neat dual attack combo limit break things.)
The story is what made me fall in Arc the Lad. You have this really tense world inhabited by Deimos and humans. Well, a human girl and a winged demon fell in love and had two kids. One went with a mom, and turned out human looking. The other with the father, and he looks half demon/half human. So, while the humanish kid grew up and had the perfect life, the other brother was beat on, abused, and lives this horrible life. The game has a lot of themes of racism, and even though it seems trite, or forced, it plays out really nicely.
The story is unbelievable and has a lot of great moments. The game is getting a little hard to find now, so if you are at all interested in this great rpg- you should probably try to find this asap.

A generally awesome RPG

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 2 / 3
Date: November 02, 2003
Author: Amazon User

Let's begin with graphics. Okay, so they aren't as perfect as they could be, but they're really clean and visually appealing, much like Xenosaga Ep. 1. Next, let's take a peek at the voice acting; I pretty much enjoy the voices, though two of them that irritate me are Darc's and Volk's. Theirs are just.. ick. Darc has the dubbed voice actor from DBZ, and Volk sounds weird. But let's move on.
Now let's talk about storyline. I thought it was great how the storyline was broken into two parts, so you didn't always have to play one main character. My only complaint would be that Kharg was the usual, gung-ho "Let's go save the world and completely slander the Deimos!" While Darc didn't particularly care for humans, either, at least he didn't do this for no reason. I preferred this way of telling the story (breaking it up between Kharg and Darc) because the stories would stop at VERY interesting parts, making you want to hurry through the next part so you could get back to Darc. Er... whoever's side you liked best, I mean. ^^
Finally, the battling system. I enjoyed the ability to move around and decide how to hit the enemy. You got some interesting options; you could hit them in front, causing minimal damage, or the back, causing maximum damage. Magic.. well, it didn't matter where you hit an enemy with magic, but still..
My recommendation? Buy this game!

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