A different kind of RPG ...

The first appeared on the PS2 in the series now honored us Wild Arms with the third issue - and this really can like! Commandments gets the inclined Japanese-RPG fan a very classic RPG with turn-based Random Encounters, plus a nice and likeable character troupe and - of course - a mission for the purpose of saving the world. So far so good, so nothing new.

But the unusual and special about Wild Arms never was even now at the special originality of the story; this is added relatively flat; Unfortunately, there are too few plot twists; in principle, is clear from the start, was good here and who is evil or will be. However, the nice thing about WA3 is the classic Western atmosphere. So controlling his characters not with sword and bow armed through woods and meadows, but touches on horse, Sand Craft and aircraft over desolate and arid steppes, over seas of sand and only sporadically by fresh greenery. There is the party of 4 main characters; While this may appear at first glance a little bit, but does not detract from the fun actually, and also the respective characters are drawn quite nice and have different personalities, so that not tarnished with its limited number of gameplay.

The graphical representation also knows how to please, to please with (then still very new) cel-shaded look, which even today (NB .: Review was founded in the July 2007) quite white. Sure, with a graphical opulence of a Final Fantasy X or XII Wild Arms can not keep safe; But what game can already ?! But the cartoon style is maintained consistently nice, even the summons and magic attacks have gotten complacent animations.

Very positively against falls firstly from the musical background; here you have already extensively at Old western soundtracks, particularly in Ennio Morricone, served as its predecessor - it is dominated by whistling melodies, acoustic guitars and a couple of decent wind. Only criticism is perhaps the lack of variety in the music; so the World map theme is soon annoying, as the battle theme - too often repeated the musical motifs.
For the second positive precipitates the yet very strategic battle system. To use magic, must first so-called "Guardians" are created (strongly reminiscent of the Guardian Force system from Final Fantasy VIII); this change on the one hand, the status values ​​of the characters and increase eg magic or attack values; secondly, they give up the ability to act different spells (some of which are almost indispensable for difficult battles), and on the other hand one can by means of a "Summon" command the Guardians also summon himself, and then hit the opponent with a more or less powerful attack (depending on the state of the so-called. Force Points, which are a variant of MP in Wild Arms).

To the fighting (which are quite challenging; you will certainly desöfteren a few times just level up have to compete with the more difficult opponents can) to make even better arguably, can be the weapons of the characters, just the "arms", always upgrade again. Whether langläufiges sniper rifle or the Colts twice the female lead actress; all you can regarding penetration, number of balls, accuracy etc ... tune. However, this is always a rather costly affair, and on money to get in Wild Arms, just at the beginning, very difficult.

Still there to round some nice sidequests as the "Millennium Puzzle" or fending an alien invasion on Filgaia which also can captivate a few extra hours at the screen the player.

Conclusion: All in all, Wild Arms 3 a consistently good to very good traditional RPG with lots of random Encounters, cute characters and a somewhat shopworn, but quite pleasing graphics and great sound. Any RPG fan who once again is looking for new foods, can safely access here. Small point of criticism is maybe that the game has been released in English only; for players who might not speak it so well, that could be a bit murky the game, because the game is very interactive and text-heavy, and they are not necessarily held in the simplest English.
Nonetheless WA3 a successful gaming experience - buy recommendation!