E3: Arc the Lad Collection: Chapter 1 impressions

[05.13.00] » 5 year old title looks dated, but plays well.

   For the first time since its initial release in Japan 5 years ago, Working Designs had an Arc the Lad title on display in English at their E3 booth. Unfortunately, only the first chapter (i.e. the first game) was shown, with Arc the Lad II and III, as well as Monster Tournament, nowhere to be seen.

    Although it is a simulation RPG in the style of Tactics Ogre or Final Fantasy Tactics, unlike these games Arc I plays very quickly. Many of the menus that had to be navigated in games such as these have been simplified into a few basic button presses. Attacking is done merely be standing next to an enemy, pressing the direction that you want to attack, and pressing the X button. Likewise, magic and special abilities are handled by pressing the O button and selecting what you want to use. While this may not sound like a huge speed improvement, it is, with battles that range more on the 5-10 minute side than the 20-30 minutes that is more the norm, but keeping all of the fun and enjoyment of the longer battles.

   As with other Working Designs translations, the script is well written, and advances the story well. It can also be noted that it is done in more of a serious style than previous WD games. The story itself, however, was average at best, at least for the time that we were able to play.

   Sound was excellent, with a beautifully orchestrated score, easily one of the best in recent memory. Sound effects were good, although the in-battle voices were still in the original Japanese, so the quality of the voice actors that Working Designs is sure to hire cannot be judged yet.

   Graphically, the title does show its age. Done entirely in 2-D, colors were lackluster, and the portraits shown when the characters spoke were hideous at best. Actual animations were decently done, but the general blandness of the title spoke louder than the animations did.

   If the first chapter is simply showing what is to come, Arc the Lad Collection should prove to be quite a treat for not only fans of FFT and Tactics Orge, but should also be a good jumping in point for gamers who might have found these types of titles too bulky and slow. Look for the six disc set late this year.