Average, but entertaining RPG for X360-Start!

With "Enchanted Arms" made by From Software Xbox 360 customers have already been delivered in the debut year of the new Microsoft console a Japanese-RPG - and one that knows how to please absolutely! Of course there are both negative and positive sides; but overall definitely outweigh the "thumbs-up" factors.

Playful there are no surprises for fans and connoisseurs of traditional Japanese RPG fare: a party, here consisting of (ultimately) four main human heroes, supplemented by numerous so-called "Golem", sets out - surprise - to save the world. In the beginning, first is the main character of Atsuma, whose friend is captured by a very very evil Golem, "Queen of Ice". Of course, our Atsuma wants to free his friend, and already there's reason enough for over 40 hours verkloppen enemies, explore the world, investigate mysteries, and make bad guys hell. Well, big surprise for her story provides no - but for the main characters are all presented very nice, also all have their own personality, and are definitely among the memories worthy characters of recent video game history. Next to the story here not go into - play itself is a must!

Gambling itself then makes perfect mood - centerpiece is of course the battle mode which is a relatively strategic for Enchanted Arms. On a battlefield, which is divided into boxes, you can change its characters per round within their movement range and naturally perform actions. From normal shock attack from distance attacks to violent EX attacks, there's everything a role player's heart desires. The combat system is beginning a little getting used to, but generally well thought out (especially in different "elements" of emphasis - so make eg attacks with different element twice damage (eg fire attack against ice creature).), And with a bit of tactics you can certainly win many fights on a train. That's a good thing, because you not similar after fighting with potions, healing potions, tents must heal (it will all get automatically regenerated after end of the fight), it cost all fights that last longer than one round, so-called "Vitality Points". And these are once consumed, then the great character is has incapacitated until we were fully prepared for the scattered throughout the world Heilbrunnen itself. In order not abzustinken fight the many Fieslinge's also many skills that can, in some cases is also in the shop part while exploring the world. With "Skill Points" that you like money won by fighting (in the game "TB") and Experience Points, you can then learn the bought / found skills, and with the skill points you can also the "parameters" (properties such as HP , EP, direct attack, Speed, etc ...) to improve the characters. The classic EXP serve naturally to level up. So you see - everything aligned very classic.

Also on the design level of course you realize the typical Japanese-Touch. So are two of the 3 "main" cities in the game with "Yokohama City" and "Kyoto City" Asian-breathed, just "London City" is something western inspired. The characters in general are of course in manga / anime style held, but also for the European players "west" enough - so no cephalopods. Who can get used to this style will be with Enchanted Arms certainly have a lot of fun. Graphically, Enchanted Arms presents unfortunately only average; but even that is typical of the first games on a new generation of consoles. So Enchanted Arms acts only as a slightly aufgepepptes PS2 / XBox game that not nearly exploits the hardware power of X360 (or PS3, for the game, this year will still appear). The world seems a bit small and large (so there is no reason, such as the classic "airship" installed), and is still to go through absolutely linear, consists largely of leaving acting areas where the only company you seem to have that many Random Encounters are. A little more "life" and freely explorable environment would you ever wanted here. So you really only runs continuously from one location to the next straight; rarely there are branches (and then there there also usually find a little money or a capturable Golem), and especially interiors are decorated very sparse. In stores you can not go often; it opens often a dialog window. Too bad, because as the quite funny drawn characters in the world seem a bit out of place carelessly designed. Positive contrast, the full-motion fall from videos, which it indeed unfortunately a few are, but it does it well come along spectacular!

Sound Technically, there is nothing noteworthy to mention; Background music there is virtually no, the typical "Battle Theme" has almost frightening resemblance to the Triumph-song known from the Final Fantasy-parts, but otherwise does not do much. The voice acting of the characters is become quite solid, however; the Japanese voices should indeed be voiced, but as I do not speak Japanese can, I am on the English-language edition is limited, and this was perfectly fine!

Side quests there are unfortunately sown sparsely; since it is of course also serves as a Final Fantasy fan something. So you spend most of the 40 hours that you will probably apply for the game, just the main quest, which is a rare but present difficulties. In parts some dungeons ways to new Locations act nonsensically artificially protracted; clear dungeons must be dungeons, but often makes the architecture just so no sense. Well, for RPG newcomers is "Enchanted Arms" but in any case recommended, as always, a little tip is also indicated on the menu, what's to do next; so you never run the risk after a long break to lose the thread, and no longer know where to hinmüsse next. But well, in such a linear game structure that is already difficult.

Conclusion: Offering "Enchanted Arms" a thoroughly enjoyable, albeit broadly unspectacular RPG title for the X360 before, who knows at some levels to please well (funny characters and dialogues, great FMV, transparant combat system, many golems) , at other levels but not really next-generation worthy comes along (by grown over long distances graphic presentation and loveless / detail-less world, very linear build-up play, hardly sidequests). For beginners Enchanted Arms is due to the not too high level of difficulty ensure suitable (for the last boss battle you should slightly "warmer" put); Replay value is the title but hardly have - for too few sidequests are unfortunately still necessary. All in all certainly very entertaining 40 hours of play, and the game is its purchase price also worth; but one may hope with security in the future much more impressive (RPG) caption! Fans of Japanese RPGs can safely access, all others should maybe first time auditions!