Post by Bytor on May 29, 2011 20:45:18 GMT -5
Arc the Lad II (アークザラッドIII, Ākuzaraddo) the third installment in the series, was developed by G-Craft for the PlayStation and released by SCEI in Japan on October 28, 1999 and by Working Designs in North America s part of the Arc the Lad Collection on April 18, 2002. The game was subsequently released on the PlayStation Network in Japan on January 16, 2008 and in North America on January 4, 2011. The music is pretty much identical in nature and form to the first two releases and the graphics are little improved as well, although the graphics are improved vastly and even has much better CG cut scenes with better clarity and vastly improved backgrounds although the colors are felt by many to be a tad less vibrant.
The story takes place in the same universe but quite a few years after the second installment. Here the story focuses on Alec, a youngster who aspires to be a hunter just like his idol who saved him from the Great Disaster. To become a hunter he must collect the Ghost Dream Crystal and once accomplished the game then focuses primarily on the various jobs undertaken by Alec and his friends.
The game mechanics are virtually unchanged with a few notable exceptions. While the game is still a tactical RPG the areas needed to traverse are a bit more wide open thus allowing for greater freedom of movement. Also it is now possible to actually travel through your allies as opposed to being stuck in movement, unfortunately enemies may do the same so some strategy of hiding weaker allies is nullified. Other than that the game is pretty standard fare for the genre represented.
Arc the Lad III is the first in the series not to feature Arc, and many feel this hurts the game story wise as well as continuity. Certainly while many found the game enjoyable even die hard fans felt the story line and gameplay issues were simply not up to the standards the series had previously set.
