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More than worth the asking price.

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 18 / 19
Date: April 26, 2002
Author: Amazon User

Let us get this out of the way first, Arc the Lad is not Final Fantasy. It hasn't the graphical beauty, the story ambition (though its parts have great ones), or unique design elements meant to push the rpg genre to new heights. Reasons for this are obvious: Arc the Lad 1&2 were much before the flash of FF, so comparable graphics shouldn't be expected. Arc 3 was release after FF 7 and 8, but didn't seek lofty ambition.

Basically its about this, FUN. That's the word of the day people, so listen close. Arc the Lad is a strategized, character developed, story driven (at least the first two), job hunting, monster bashing good time.

That's right, I said STRATEGIZED, meaning like a grid-based strategy game. Think Final Fantasy Tactics with less depth, and that's pretty much it. That lack of depth gives this game a much more user-friendly feel, allowing for pick-up-and-play action instead of read-the-manual-5-times-and-still-get-the-[snot]-kicked-out-of-you-action.

Arc the Lad's play mechanics are like a strategy/traditional rpg hybrid, combining the character control and exploration of a traditional (Arc 2, mostly) with grid-combat intensive battles (what Arc 1 is pretty much, with only two chances throughout to control the character like previously stated). All three include this extremely unique mix of both elements, happily dishing steaming helpings of fun.

Arc 1 is the one mainly lacking in depth, it hasn't much but offers a very simplistic and perfectly enjoyable time.

Arc 2 continues 1's abrupt stoppage with a much more fleshed out story (not the single-minded save the world story of 1) featuring characters expertly developed that show many more emotional facets (like an opal compared to a marquis-cut diamond, both are beautiful, but the diamond has more to look at).

Arc 3 takes place 10 years later, thrusting upon the player new characters with mere cameos of previous protaganists. Though this can be a bit saddening, Arc 3 is a great game in its own right--continuing that extremely enjoyable battle system that was the draw of the 2 previous.

The story, as expected, is excellent. Much of this is due to Working Designs' attention to detail; through that, a beautiful creature was created. It's fun and easy to read while providing comic relief to the melodrama (yeah, there is quite a bit of it in Arc 2, unfortunately). The melodrama is pretty jarring, but it fits into the story alright and isn't any reason to not play.

This is your game if you have always enjoyed those grid-based strategy niche titles, but want a traditional flair. You won't be disappointed.

The last (and first) great PSX RPG is one of the best...

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 15 / 16
Date: July 23, 2002
Author: Amazon User

...This impressive omnibus contains four games (three full RPGs and one sideline) spanning five CDs, a "Making Of" disc, twenty-two character standees, Dual Shock analog stick covers, and a Memory Card holder. There hasn't been this much pack-in goodness since the glory days of Infocom.

If you love turn-based strategy RPGs, such as Final Fantasy Tactics or Ogre Battle, you'll like this too. While not as complex as FFT, it is *much* faster paced, making battles less of a time-consuming chore. While you still have to think several moves ahead, you won't be spending so much time messing with the details of battlefield position and resource allocation, allowing you to focus more on the battle itself and the game's plot.

While any of the three RPGs in this box can be played individually, it's when played in order that the series truly comes into its own. Arc I is really little more than a ten-hour prologue for the much larger Arc II, while Arc III continues the storyline several generations later. Furthermore, if you completed the previous game, that savefile can be imported into the next game, which can unlock secrets and cause interesting things to happen.

The fourth game, Arc Arena, isn't a full RPG despite what the box says. Rather, it is a training ground for monsters you've captured in Arc II. Here, you set them to battle either computer-controlled monsters or those captured by another human, stored on his or her own Memory Card. Think Pokemon, only without the cloying kid-stuff. Doing well in the Arena grants you access to various special items and bonuses, some of which can be brought back into Arc II.

Fans of Working Designs's past work will be pleased to learn that the writing is up to their usual high standards, while detractors will be relieved to know that the script relies less on pop-culture references and fourth-wall gags than past WD translations (though there are a few of both). This is a double-edged sword, as you might well expect; WD's many detractors continually cite the relative inaccuracy of their translations (the term "hack jobs" has been used rather freely to describe them), yet even so, the writing *itself* is generally of a much higher quality than other, more accurate translations.

While it may seem a high price to pay, considering everything that you get - the three RPGs included by thesmelves represent over 200 hours of potential gameplay, if you take the time to explore each throroughly - it's actually something of a bargain. Toss in a compelling storyline and memorable characters, and you have a winner! The last great PSX RPG package in America (with Enix's recent cancellation of Dragon Warrior IV) is most assuredly worth picking up.

Awesome collection of strategy/RPG's...

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 10 / 11
Date: January 24, 2004
Author: Amazon User

Arc the Lad 1-3 was originally released by Sony. Arc 1 was released when the PS One first came out, in 1996/1997. About a year later, Arc 2 came out, then Arc 3 followed in 1999. The problem? They were never released out of Japan. Luckily, Working Designs, the company responsible for bringing out Lunar and Lunar 2 with great extras, has brought all 3 of these games out of Japan, with great packaging like the Lunar series.

Arc 1 is pretty short. You could finish it in about 10-15 hours (20+ if you do all the side quests), but it's still a lot of fun. Arc 2 continues the great story, and is a whole lot longer. You could spend anywhere from 50-100 hours on Arc 2. And finally, Arc 3. They took the job system from Arc 2 and made it the main part of Arc 3. Although not as serious, and more lighthearted, than the other games in the series, Arc 3 is still pretty fun. My favorite is Arc 2, then 1, and finally 3, but they all provide hours of fun and entertainment.

Also included is Arc Arena, which allows you to fight other monsters with monsters you capture in Arc 2. This was kind of fun, but I didn't really get into it.

The packaging comes with a hardcover instruction booklet (over 100 pages), a memory card holder, a "Making of Arc the Lad Collection" cd, and more. If you're a fan of strategy/rpg's, don't miss out!

Arc the Genius, sayeth the Genius...

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 10 / 12
Date: July 18, 2003
Author: Amazon User

Arc the Lad isn't a game that everyone will like because there isn't very much exploration. You don't control your character very much at all outside of battles and you have to get caught up in the dialogue in order to enjoy the story and the game. Arc the Lad's best feature is the battle system. The battle system is defiantly unique, of course there are a number of games that use a system that is similar but Arc the Lad came out before those games, it was an SNES game when it first came out in Japan mind you. As soon as I fought my first battle I loved this game and it reminded me of Shining Force, and once I met Tosh I was sold. Great start off to the series even though the last boss is extremely easy.

Arc The Lad II is better than Arc the Lad, and yes I have beaten it (for that reviewer who claimed not very many people have beaten it). The spells look better than Arc the Lad and you get to capture monsters and have them join your team. A complaint I have about the monsters is they cannot equip armor and so cannot keep up with your human party members. But with monster Arena you can fight with your friends (assuming you don't spend all your time on Amazon and do have friends) with your monster and so still keeping them up on levels is pretty important. This game is tougher than the first, it has more puzzles and tougher enemies plus the level you can level up to is insane (I have no idea what the max is but it is over 150). This game introduces the Hunter's Guild to Arc the Lad lovers where you take up jobs and go after wanted monsters all for money. Most of the cast from Arc the Lad joins up with your party and you can fight with them, if you've beaten Arc the Lad you can use convert and your characters from Arc the Lad will be at the same level with the same weapons you last left them at. The transition between games is extremely smooth thumbs up to this game! Sometimes the battles do get annoying but bare with it man... it's a good game, now shut your complaining.

I must admit I haven't beaten Arc the Lad III , so I think I'm entitled to my opinion about this one. Man I love the character Lutz but everyone is so mean to him, Alec (the hero) is suppose to be his best friend and yet he joins the others in picking on him they should realize that Lutz kicks all their [butts] and they should shut up cause he's the best character... Ahhh that felt sooo good Ok. enough about my Lutz raving. The game is better than the other ones. You meet a lot of the cast from the first and second game but it's rare for you to fight along side them, none of them join your party. But that's ok cause you fight with Tosh for a while (he's not at the same level I left him on GRRRRRRR) The plot revolves more around the Hunter's Guild than the second one and you're introduced to other Guilds.... Not sure if I like the other guilds or not I rarely use them but hey if you like that type of thing I guess. The magic looks good and now instead of capturing monsters you turn them into cards where they'll do one move and disappear, hey I'm not complaining I think it looks pretty cool myself. Anyways this game is awesome with the awesome battle system all the Arc the Lads have... So great stuff here... Did I mention Lutz is awesome?

Overall Arc the Lad satisfied me especially its battle system. The Arc the Lad series (though I haven't played the fourth one) flows together better than any video game series I've ever played.

Better late then never! A classic gem finally arrives!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 7 / 7
Date: April 16, 2002
Author: Amazon User

Long ago in a time when the Sony PlayStation was just a new kid on the block, there was a launch game; one that was a little strategy RPG called ARC THE LAD. Some called it a short imitation of SHINING FORCE, but it had a nice following. Fast forward 6 years later and we finally can play it, but this time we get to play not just part one but the complete trilogy! The first game feels like a teaser it's short but fun for nostalgia seekers wanting to relive their SHINING FORCE days. The second game is the continuation of the first one but this time it's longer. The third game is a little different; it's full 3D and a little odd. Overall the three games are very old fashioned. They are from an era long gone in gaming. Sony never opted to bring these games to the US, but the good folks at Working Designs have. Okay the translation is classic WD, it's Americanized but it works. WD has a legacy of fine conversions. And the extra goodies are sweet such as the Monster Arena thingy. So should you buy this? Well, if you like strategy RPGs and don't mind stepping back in time by all means YES!!!

Worth the wait and the price

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 4 / 6
Date: May 05, 2002
Author: Amazon User

Being an american gamer I heard of arc the lad because of the anime movies I knew it was a game but had no idea about the game play so when working desgins announced a remake of these 3 classics in one package I got excited for 69.99 you get 3 games and side battle game and a making of cd and an box of extras kinda like the lunar series some of you might know. now on to game play this is a statagy rpg no ramdom battles you move across a landscape despensing of your enamies each charaters have thair strenghts and weaknesses your usuall the healer, magic caster, you summoner, your hero, you muscle ect. arc the lad is a short but sweet arc 2 is where the fun is i recomend to start at the beginning but arc 2 is the best it a very long game arc 3 graphic are better but not as good a 2 also part 2 has that extra battle cd to collect extra items and exp. points also if your friend has arc 2 you can battle each other but you must each have your own saved data on your memory card. arc has dated graphics but who buys a rpg for graphics plus this game is at least 6 years old. if you love rpgs or stratagy game you will love arc its a must have for any rpgers libray and will be a classic.

Something that's fun again

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 4 / 6
Date: October 29, 2003
Author: Amazon User

I'm only about 1/2 to 2/3 done (I think)with the second game, and I already feel that I've more than got my money's worth. It's not terribly complicated, I've gotten a lot of amusement out of strange things, like looking at the bathtubs with different caracters, the game play is FUN. You don't have to be an ace player, mastering obscure button patterns, and there isn't too much conversation or graphics, JUST GAME!

Hmmm, overated, and not joking

3 Rating: 3, Useful: 6 / 13
Date: April 19, 2003
Author: Amazon User

Alright this review is going to reveal the truth about arc the lad. No there isn't any spoilers, but I will spill out the real details.

Arc the Lad 1: Great game. Really short. But really fun, after you play it once it isn't as great, but still I loved the battles and the 2d graphics worked great.

Arc the Lad 2: Ok its got alot more in it. You can change your weapons, more spells, tons of characters, monsters to control, yet sadly fails. The reason being? Noone actually plays to the end. Most of these people reviewing probably haven't gotten to the second half of the game. The first part is great. Then the battles start to get more frequent. The third part is enormously filled with meaningless battles, one after another. Then we reach the final areas. Tons of battles in which the reward is a new plot twist, you now must go to some random town and enter a doom tower filled with 30 levels of battling fun! Ok so you beat the tower, then split up in some ice area, 2 groups, thousands of battles. So you reach the final dungeon(s). Ok you walk up some stone blocks... now your going to HAVE to fight 5 consecutive battles in a row. Then go into this place and search for like 5 switches or something, it wasn't clear. I fought 4 battles going into a house and coming out, then realized there was nothing in there. I walked up to it, entered battle, went inside and battled, entered a room to find nothing, left the room and battled, went outside and battled. In these battles you are outnumbered. You just use your magic and take them down in about 3 hits. The magic starts to get real annoying after you see it thousands of times. Ok so you find the switches, guess what, you have to go into this creepy lair and fight some bosses, great. Overall the game really slumps. Most of the reviews here just say that arc the lad 2 has more then arc the lad 1 and is better. Sure arc the lad 2 starts great, but I am WARNING you, you will probably just stop caring by the end.

Arc the Lad 3: I got to the final dungeon and quit in arc the lad 2, then arc the lad 3 was popped in. I did not load my data because, well, I never finished arc2 to the dead end. So you basically are a hunter. The Cast seems dry compared to the original. Still the 3d seems appropriate, because most games are 3d now. It isn't better then what you can find anywhere else. Just go play a game like final fantasy 7 or legend of dragoon and you will be more satisfied. But arc the lad 3 seems kind of a blend of arc1 and arc2, with some today standards thrown in.

Arc the Lad Monster Arena: Pointless, you load in some monsters from arc the lad 2. I used a monster throught the whole game in arc2, yet the monster was still 10 levels behind all my other characters. Monsters are pointless, you have like 30 different good characters to choose from. This game just has some battles, and buying of stuff. Don't worry about it.

Extra: The book is kinda cool, considering its hardback. The little stand things are not really needed. The memory card holder will probably never be used. But the analog covers seems kinda okay, but feel weird. The making of the games is not really a blast either, its just showing you how they do stuff that you will never be able to do.

Overall the games are not that satisfying. If arc1 was released alone for like 15 dollars I would get it. But it is really short. So do not spend your money on this product. Borrow it from a friend, play arc1, then return it.

North American gamers have been missing out, until now.

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 2 / 2
Date: April 30, 2002
Author: Amazon User

I have played these game on import, with some choppy translations that I got off the internet. Now I bought the collection, and can appreciate the game in full. These are games that any RPG fan will love.

This has all three Arc The Lad games, which in itself would make the collection worth the price, but you get extras, including a book, some button covers, and if your lucky, a watch. As far a RPGs go, these are standard, and stick to a winning formula that will remind games of Final Fantasy and Wild Arms. Considering the age of these games, the graphics and music are quite impressive. The story is a breath of fresh air when you consider how often RPG elements are recycled from game to game. The story and characters are engrossing and never cease to be interesting.

The drawbacks are relative to the gamer. People who favor Final Fantasy X might find the graphics and sound to be a bit dated, but based on the success of the FF Chronicles and Anthology, most gamers can look beyond that. The control is also a bit tricky at times, but with time, it is easy to master.

Overall, this collection is a sound purchase. It has three decent, quality RPGs that will keep you busy for quite some time. What more could you ask for?

Awesome game!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 2 / 7
Date: June 02, 2002
Author: Amazon User

First off if you have never played an rpg or strategy games do not buy this yet, go play something easier and less confusing battle system like wild arms or grandia. But if you are like me and have played tons of rpg's and strategy games this is for you!!!!!! The battle system rocks it comes with three games and oh yeah don't be discouraged by arc 1 which is a great game but is only story and battlle with almost no moving around arc 2 is still like arc 1 but there is a world map you can walk on and more no alot more non key characters you can talk to, and lots of new cool stuff more rpgish I guess. Any way arc 1 and 2 are cool and I haven't played arc 3 yet but it is worth the money trust me!!!! Three complete games a monster arena game and a making of disk which is cool. Also if you have bought the collecters edition lunar (great game buy lunar also) this is kind of like that it comes with thumb button covers(don't know why but still cool) and mini character stand ups which look pretty cool when on display. ok I think I have said to much!!!! Just buy it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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