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Wild ARMs 5
Score: 86%
ESRB: Teen
Publisher: XSEED Games
Developer: Media Vision
Media: DVD/1
Players: 1
Genre: RPG

Graphics & Sound:
As I previously stated in my preview, the Wild ARMs series is one that I always seem to forget about, yet it is one that I always enjoy when a new one comes out. Whether this has to do with my like for "quirky" games or the game's old West setting is anyone's guess. Wild ARMs 5 carries on the legacy developed by past games and delivers an overall fun RPG experience.

Wild ARMs 5 isn't going to dazzle you, though at the same time, it doesn't look all that bad either. While a year of "next-gen" visuals have probably spoiled what I consider to be "good graphics," I liked most of what I saw. The game's art style is likeable and finds the middle ground between "cute" and "mature." Characters benefit the most from this, though the various towns and dungeons you come across manage to remain consistent, even if they are a bit flat.

Like the game, music has a very Western theme to it, though a few other styles manage to creep in. One of the things that really stand out about the game's soundtrack is that there is a lot of it. Every town, dungeon and boss seems to have their own particular theme music, which really helps to mix things up. As far as voicework goes, the character's personalities are well-represented, though I've heard better.


Gameplay:
Wild ARMs 5 follows the adventures of Dean Stark, whose greatest ambition is to become a Golem Hunter. Dean is obsessed with these ancient mechanical beings, leading him to discover a golem arm out in the wilderness. While investigating the arm, Dean discovers that it holds a young girl, named Avril, in its grip. The only thing the girl seems to remember is the name, "Johnny Appleseed." Avril is also in possession of two guns, called ARMs, which she gives to Dean when he agrees to help her find the mysterious Johnny Appleseed.

Though the story never reaches to be anything other than just a story, it is a pretty good one. There are a few clichéd moments, as well as some predictable twists, but it manages to keep your interest and provides just enough motivation that you'll want to keep playing. This is due in large part to the character development, which takes place during cutscenes as well as through in-game chatter.

Gameplay follows the traditional RPG structure; you visit towns, check out a few dungeons and fight off a boss or two before saving the world. The only major departure Wild ARMs 5 takes is its battle system. Dubbed the HEX system, battles take place on 7 hexagonal grids. During their turn, characters can move between grid points and attack nearby grids. Allies can stand on the same grid and combine attacks, though both will also take damage if that grid is attacked. Some grid points are colored, denoting an elemental property that characters gain while standing on that grid.

Dungeons are pretty straightforward, though you will encounter a few puzzles. Most puzzles involve using Dean's arms; sometimes he'll have to push boxes, while at other times he'll have to use specific ammo types. Most of the puzzles are fairly simple, though a few later ones are tricky.

Outside the main storyline, you can pursue a number of extra side-quests, including optional bosses or dungeons.


Difficulty:
As a whole, Wild ARMs 5 isn't that challenging - at least as long as you think strategically. Battles move pretty quickly, though you'll have to think through all of your moves, especially when it comes to placing allies on the same grid points. While it allows you to pull off some powerful combo moves, it also leaves multiple characters open to damage. This is especially true during boss battles.

After every battle, your party is completely healed, so you never find yourself in a situation where you are in desperate need of health. You will, however, find yourself in need of Magic Points, which can only be replenished at crystals or at save points. Battles are completely random, but every dungeon has a special boss who, if you defeat him, allows you to turn them off.


Game Mechanics:
Wild ARMs 5 brings back the "Search" feature found in past games, allowing you to search the overworld map for secret treasures and puzzle boxes. Puzzle boxes are scattered all over the world and, if you can solve them, unlock some really useful items. Unlike some of the dungeon puzzles, these are actually pretty challenging, despite the simple concept behind them.

Over the course of the game, you'll pick up six characters, though you can only take three into battle. You can swap out characters at any time, adding a little more strategy to the battle system. Characters can equip devices that grant them abilities and stat boosts. Characters learn new abilities as they level up, though you can also earn them early by spending points. The downside to gaining abilities early is a reduction in maximum hitpoints. Characters also equip badges, granting additional stat boosts. All of your character's weapons can also be upgraded using fossils.

Though nothing really stands out about Wild ARMs 5, it is still a solid offering that should please both fans of the series or general RPG fans.


-Starscream, GameVortex Communications
AKA Ricky Tucker

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