Arc the Lad Collection to cost $90?

[07.26.00] » Strategy guide not included.

   Arc the Lad Collection is the largest, most ambitious video game collection ever attempted. With three games, a casino spinoff, a soundtrack, and a making-of video across six discs--plus deluxe packaging--it will be a packaging experience like no other. But at what price glory? GameStop.com is reporting a preliminary price point of $89.99 for the set. GameStop also lists the official strategy guide at another $19.99.

   It's true that Arc the Lad Collection offers a lot of gaming bang for your buck--we may be "insanely biased," but it is the RPG experience of 1995, 1996, and 1999. Still, we couldn't help but wonder: what else could you get for about $90?

• Krzysztof Kieslowski's Decalogue and C.S. Lewis' Mere Christianity. The Decalogue is an acclaimed series of one-hour explorations of each of the Ten Commandments. Mere Christianity is a rational apologia for the tenets of Christian faith. Purchase both and start questioning your moral foundations today!
• Final Fantasy V & VI, VII, and VIII. Four full games. Comparable price. But nearly twice as many gameplay hours.
• 20 gigabyte hard drive. You could install a lot more than four games with that much space.
• Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time (books one through eight, inclusive) and Wheel of Time computer game. Much like the Arc the Lad series, the characters carry over from one book to the next.
• A fruit basket to thank Square for making Chrono Cross. Because sometimes, buying the game just isn't enough.

   Ninety dollars is a lot of money. How you spend it is entirely up to you.