Arc the Lad Collection is a compilation of the three Arc the Lad role-playing games, none of which were previously released in the U.S., as well as a separate disc called Arc Arena. In true Working Designs fashion, the package comes with bonuses such as a "Making Of" documentary CD that provides insight into the development and localization process the saga had to endure. Also included are 22 cardboard character standees, a 152-page hardbound instruction manual, a memory card casing with an Arc motif, and analog-stick covers emblazoned with character faces from the series.
Spanning the better part of six years, each successive title brings new elements to the fold, both in terms of gameplay and storyline. Although each title stars a unique protagonist (Arc, Elc, and Alec, respectively), the series' continuity is preserved with appearances from previously encountered characters. In addition, completed saves from each title can be used in its successor, thereby allowing players to retain the exact attributes of their characters from previous incarnations -- and occasionally discover extra story elements.
Battles occur within enclosed environments, and party members are able to move unrestrained within the confines of a grid-based overlay. Controlled one at a time, characters can perform melee attacks as well as more powerful magical attacks. Impediments such as walls and rocks factor into combat, as do more conventional tactics, such as attacking an enemy unit from behind. The first two titles in the series feature 2D environments and sprite-based, super-deformed characters, while the third makes the jump to 3D, replete with full-motion video cut-scenes.
Arc the Lad II also allows players, after enlisting the aid of a character named Lieza, to capture and tame monsters for use in battle. As with other party members, these monsters gain experience and can subsequently be customized to one's liking. The Arc Arena add-on disc provides players an opportunity to import their captured beasts for use in tournaments. There they can gain experience and win items, which can then be exported into Arc the Lad II. As an added bonus, two players can pit their menagerie of creatures against one another.
Action is controlled through three main areas: Events, Maps, and Battles. Characters can encounter seven different conditions during battle that affect their status, including poison, paralysis, sleep, darkness, silence, and stone, or can lose abilities and strength if they become "Hemo-ji." Battles are fought in enclosed environments, but each controlled character can move freely within the grid-based landscape, employing melee or ranged weapons.
ARC THE LAD begins a three-part journey through a magical world on the edge of destruction and populated by a unique cast of role-playing characters, each with specific weapons, attributes, and agendas. Characters are defined through more than a dozen changing elements including range, hit points, magic points, attack and defense levels, magic capacity, agility, experience, jump and throw abilities, counterattack prowess, and the ability to catch thrown items.
Action is controlled through three main areas: Events, Maps, and Battles. Characters can encounter seven different conditions during battle that affect their status, including poison, paralysis, sleep, darkness, silence, and stone, or can lose abilities and strength if they become "Hemo-ji." Battles are fought in enclosed environments, but each controlled character can move freely within the grid-based landscape, employing melee or ranged weapons.
Featured individuals in Arc the Lad include Arc, a well-balanced fighter searching for his father, Kukuru, protector of the sacred flame, and Poco, a marching band member whose instruments play an important part in protecting party members during battle. Tosh, an Elite Guard defying orders by defending the innocent victims of Palencia, Gogen, one of the seven original heroes with an arsenal of mystical powers and spells, and Iga, a monk and master of Kenpo sworn to protect the secret scrolls of the Amaidar Temple, complete the roster. Unexpected help comes from Chongara, a merchant adventurer with access to special attacks and summoning abilities.
ARC THE LAD 2 continues the sojourn through the magical land introduced in the original game by greatly expanding gameplay, adding a whole new cast of characters with unique weapons, skills or spells, increasing manageable character elements (e.g., abnormalities), and taming, renaming and releasing monsters. Game options now include the ability to change the opacity of the text and menu boxes, adjustable window colors, music toggles, puzzle resets, and more.
The Hunters Guild offers a place to get jobs, check wanted posters, chat with other characters, and receive bounty payments, while Shops provide the wherewithal to buy and sell items, weapons, and armor. Item Smiths increase armor, weapon, and item abilities to higher levels, and Combine Shops let you create new weapons or items. Visiting Mother Claire allows you to change monster classes and add or sell abilities, while the little robot machine, Diekbeck, lets you divide experience points among party members.
The main protagonist in Arc the Lad II is Elc, the last of the Pyrenians, a fire-controller who uses various aspects of his craft to great advantage. Lieza, a member of the Beasttalkers tribe, captures and tames monsters, Shu uses ninja and thief talents, Shante heals and fights, Sania specializes in mental powers and teleportation, and Gruga utilizes explosive and light abilities in berserker style. The integrity of the story line is continued in Arc the Lad II by appearances of characters from the original game.
Battle mode remains unchanged with free movement within grid-like environments, with increasing role-playing elements for characters based on attack, defense, magic, agility, throw, catch, counterattack, jump, range, and special effect abilities. Like its predecessor, Arc the Lad II is a Japanese only release.
ARC THE LAD 3: When you think the Collection can’t get any bigger, you start playing Arc the Lad 3; arguably the best looking game of the series, as well as the longest. Dropping sprites in favour of polygonal environments, the game looks like a mix of Xenogears, Suikoden, and Breath of Fire IV. It’s very high on production values, with FMV quality that’s somewhere between Final Fantasy VII and VIII, and an absolutely wonderful soundtrack. (My favourite of the 3 games) Looking at Arc 2 and Arc 3 is like the difference between night and day.
In the end, Arc 3 feels like an updated version of Arc 2, which isn’t a bad thing at all. The game follows my personal favourite lead character of the series, Alec, as he embarks on a journey of self-discovery. When he was a child, his town was burned down in flames by what has become known as “The Great Disaster”, and a Hunter (ass-kicking mercenaries of peace and justice) rescued Alec, giving him a pretty impressive sword. Ever since that day, Alec’s life goal has been to become a Hunter and to find out where he came from. He shares many parallels with Lunar’s Alex, although.
Alec is more in control of his emotions and actions; he’s your typical cool-headed, but ambitious hero. As you can probably guess, Alec does become a Hunter and the Hunters’ Guild from Arc the Lad 2 makes a return. However, the jobs in Arc 3 have more variety than those in Arc 2. For one, you won’t always be fighting monsters; sometimes you’ll have to complete puzzles. Just like Arc 2, it’s possible to fail at a job, which earns you a smaller reward. All of this, in addition to various other abilities such as synthesizing weapons and items, make Arc 3 a completist junkie’s dream come true.
Arc the Lad III focuses on bounty-hunting jobs that have the party embarking on various quests for the Hunter's Guild, some of which help further the game's storyline. The most notable addition to the combat system in this incarnation is monster cards. Captured monsters can be turned into cards, which can then be used to summon the respective creatures in future battles
Box Contains, 6 Disc Jewel Case, Hardbound Instruction Manual, and Omake Box (Contains Exclusive Items).
Manufacturer's description:
Six Disc Collector's Edition!
- Includes: 5 Game CDs, and 1 Exclusive "Making of Arc the Lad" CD!
- 150+ Page Leatherette Hardbound Artbook/Instruction Manual!
- Exclusive Thumb Button Covers!
- Exclusive Memory Card Holder!
- Exclusive Character Mini-Standees!
Arc the Lad I:
The first game in the series that really redefined what a Strategy/RPG could be introduces players to a magical world teetering on the edge of destruction. Only young Arc possesses the power to stop the impending destruction, as he fights his way to unsealing the power of the Ark, with help from his friends Kukuru, Poco, Tosh, Gogen, and Iga.
Built-in Save Conversion! Convert Data from one chapter to the next to unlock secret events and special items!
Arc the Lad II and Arc Arena:
The second game in the Arc series introduces Elc, a bounty hunter with a tragic past. He must join forces with Arc to stop the minions of the Dark One, whose presence was only hinted at in the first game. A vast array of impressive Strategy/RPG innovations are introduced in this chapter, like the job system, weapon melding, and multiple-viewpoint storylines. In another first for U.S.console gaming, players can load Arc the Lad II save data into the innovative Arc Arena CD that is included in the package. Players can then take monsters captured in their individual games and battle it out for prizes in the monster tournament!
Arc the Lad III:
Arc the Lad III introduces a new lead character, Alec, and ties up all the storylines developed in the first two games in a way that will leave diehard role-playing fans breathless. It also brings the Arc world into a fully-3D polygon environment! Join Alec as he continues Arc's heroic battle to save the world from the black advance of ultimate evil!
Features:
- Third person perspective.
- 2D graphics
- Cartoon graphics
- SCI-FI, Futuristic & Medieval Fantasy themes.
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