Wild Arms is a Western-themed role-playing video game developed by Japanese software company Media.Vision and Sony's internal studio Contrail. Originally released in Japan in 1996 for the Sony PlayStation video game console, it was later translated and released in North America in 1997 and Europe in 1998 by Sony Computer Entertainment. It is noteworthy for not only being one of the first role-playing video games on the PlayStation, but also one of the few to feature a Western American setting and motif. The game features 2D computer graphics for normal gameplay, while battle sequences are rendered in 3D.
Taking place in the fantasy world of Filgaia, Wild Arms follows the adventures of a band of miscreants and adventurers called Dream Chasers who scour the world in search of excitement and fortune. The player assumes control of a young boy named Rudy who has the ability to operate powerful weapons called Ancient Relic Machines (ARMs), forbidden remnants of a lost age that resemble guns. Along with his companions Jack and Cecilia, the group must use their respective skills to navigate through the vast wastelands and dungeons of Filgaia and prevent an otherworldly threat from reviving their lost leader and destroying the world.
The story builds gradually, and though a bit confusing at times, reveals interesting bits of our characters' sordid pasts. Overworld adventuring is standard, but Wild ARMs stands out in its Dungeon scenarios, presenting challenging and downright fun puzzles to solve around every corner.
Wild Arms is a role-playing video game that involves the player controlling up to three characters, Rudy, Jack, and Cecilia, as they progress through a number of environments, battle enemies, and solve puzzles. The game is presented in a top-down two-dimensional fashion where the player has an overhead view of all the action taking place on a particular screen. To advance, the player must overcome a number of story-based scenarios and sequences that involve navigating through dungeons while fighting enemies that appear randomly. Characters progress and grow by gaining experience points after a battle, discovering crest graphs, finding ARMs, and mastering sword techniques prompted by various events in the game. This allows them able to battle increasingly more difficult demonic entities.
Progressively more powerful armor and weapons can be purchased for each character from specialized shops in towns throughout the world, and new skills can be learned to help the player complete tougher challenges. Special devices called "Tools" unique to each character allow the player to transverse otherwise impassable situations while not in battle. These items are obtained at certain points in the game, and allow hidden areas or pathways to be discovered, as well as destroy objects and solve puzzles. Rudy's bomb tool, for example, can demolish large rocks and other impediments, while Jack's grappling hook allows the party to cross large gaps and chasms while avoiding traps.
Manufacturer's description:
WHERE LEGEND BECOMES REALITY
The Metal Demons, legendary destroyers of Filgaia, are returning. Powerless, the Ancient Guardians call upon three to save their once green world - a warrior, who has the gunner's gift that many fear; a princess, empowered by magic and an enchanted teardrop; and a rogue, who claims his sword is his word... but are his motives pure?
SEEK AND DISCOVER the powers of the Golems, ELWS, ARMs, mythic weapons and more.
ENCOUNTER AND SURVIVE traps like ground spikes, vanishing bridges, and falling floors.
EXPLORE an interactive world by igniting bombs, activating switches, and throwing objects.
3D COMBAT with animated polygonal monsters and magic from multiple viewpoints.
CREATE powerful elemental magic through experimentation and discovery.
CONTROL the fight with Auto-Battle Commands and the New Force System.
CUSTOMIZE control functions, camera angles, cursor positions, and more. Special options include an icon-based interface and a help menu.
"By far one of the best action RPG's of the year." - Game Informer
Features:
- Third person perspectives.
- 2D & 3D graphics
- Cartoon graphics
- Medieval Fantasy & Wild West themes.
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