Arc the Lad Collection is an impressive collection of tactical role playing games with many strategic elements and is a steal for the price of one game.
Overview
Arc the Lad Collection Overview
Arc the Lad Collection is an impressive compilation of four games. This role playing game in the tactics style is composed of many classic games that have proved to stand the test of time. The combat is similar to games such as Final Fantasy Tactics or Tactics Ogre, but with less complex game mechanics. Combat allows characters to jump over friends or enemies and permits the player to execute multiple combo attacks with multiple characters. While the first game in the collection has no towns or non player characters to interact with the later games added these features as well as a guild that quests may be chosen from. While this collection is a fantastic deal for fans of tactics style games it leaves a lot to desire for anyone who is not a fan of the genre.
Arc the Lad Collection Screenshots
Arc the Lad Collection Featured Video
Full Review
Arc the Lad Collection Review
Gameplay
Three tactical RPG‘s, and a challenge game, with many strategic elements. Plays somewhat like Final Fantasy Tactics or Tactics Ogre, with less complex game mechanics. Combat lets your characters jump over friends or foes, and permits combo attacks from multiple party members. Lots of characters allowed in party. I has no NPC’s or towns. II introduced a Hunter’s Guild for bounty hunting, interesting equipment leveling, reduced party size to 5, and inserted more traditional RPG elements like towns. III made the Hunter’s Guild the complete focus of the game, and introduced card-based monster summoning. II or III will take tens of hours to complete. Master Tournament is for those who care not for story, but love to battle.
Pluses
Incredible packaging. Four robust RPG’s on 5 CD‘s, Art the Lad, the sequels, II and III, Master Tournament and a sixth CD contains a “Making of” video. The manual for the games is encased in a 150 striking leatherette binder with not one but two red satin bookmarks. The manual also serves as a terrific art book. An Omake Black Box is included with thumb covers with game characters for your PS2, game standees, and memory card holder. Engaging standardized gameplay that never gets repetitive or old. Terrific story. Each game is better than the last.
Minuses
Button-press Torture. Far too many button presses required to execute and end a single character’s turn. With many in a party, hand cramps seem inevitable. First two games’ graphics show their age. I is very short, about 8 hours, with no way to review your character‘s status screens except during battle.
Final WordA terrific bargain for four RPG’s, at least 80+ hours of fun.
Final Grade: 85%
Videos
Arc the Lad Collection Videos
Arc the Lad Collection Trailer
