Wild Arms 4

[IRC]

I got it. It's okay I guess. No world map, dungeons and towns are very nonlinear. No more switching characters and you find tools lying around instead of carrying them with you. But you can jump!

[RPGD]

Re: Wild Arms 4

I beat it a few days ago. I absolutely loved it. It was heartwarming and bittersweet.

I really liked how the characters in the game were so close. Perhaps that bond has to do with their being so young.

The platforming elements were splendid. It felt like I was playing MegaMan meshed with Klonoa and WA1. Also, the HEX battle system is quite interesting. It takes a way the X-button-mashing and forces you use strategy for every battle. Late in the game, it gets pretty tough, since the enemies level up so quickly, and even when they're at an equal level to your party, you can still be wiped out quick if you aren't careful. I'm glad your HP recovers completely after battles, otherwise it'd be a bit brutal.

Furthermore, I'm quite happy that they added the ability to turn off all encounters when you unlock the sealed save points. That option should be in every RPG. Then again, the encounter rate is comfortably low, especially in contrast to a number of other RPGs, and no encounters whatsoever when solving puzzles.

It was also chock-full of throwbacks to previous games, too, from the Gobs (much smarter now), to certain locations (Don't wanna spoil), to the optional bosses (Good ol' Ragu O Ragula), to the Accelerator (Jack's ability in WA1), to a remix of the original Wild ARMs theme, among other things I don't want to mention. Heck, even Melchrom and Glow Apple are back.

Due to the significant lack of backtracking and the fact that you can easily bypass all the miniquests (The Extra Challenge games are very amusing, though), this game is shorter than the others. By skipping them and avoiding the grinding to make the boss battles more challenging, I beat the game in about 41 hours. On the other hand, EX New Game allows you to start over with all your crap so you can get all the EX Keys you need to unlock all the special features (So long as you fought at least 200 enemies, played at least 24 hours and collected 1500 Gella in a single Accelerator run), so in contrast, it has more replay value than any of the other games (WA3 had EX New Game, granted, but you could do everything on your first playthrough).

While this game's large number of changes practically make it a completely different game, it feels to me like it's for the better. They went back to the drawing board and started over with a fresh, clean slate, and they pulled it off. I wish more games would stray from their roots like this one did.

Kudos, Media Vision. Here's hoping for the same freshness in the Vth Vanguard.

[Magus]

Re: Wild Arms 4

Veeth Vanguard.

[Kefka Jr.]

Re: Wild Arms 4

Can anyone verify if it's better than Alter Code F?

[RPGD]

Re: Wild Arms 4

I've played them both, and yes, I believe it is.

I like it as much as the original, though.

[Jamos' Old Account]

Re: Wild Arms 4

I thought it was a pretty good game. Not very hard, but some bosses require a certain amount of strategy. The HEX system is quite enjoyable and different compared to the others. Platforming in this game is as good as it gets. Many parts of the game require you to use platforming to get to your objective. While other games just skim along with it. The problems I have with the game, though, are: 1. you can't search houses. 2. the freaky storyteller thing they use. 3. another cast of children. But in the end it is a worth while experience. I believe it is also the first Wild Arms to have an unlockable new game+. The oyther just allow you to save the data to look at after you beet the game. I hope you enjoy it, Inragedcow.

[IRC]

Re: Wild Arms 4

Can anyone verify if it's better than Alter Code F?

Oh good God yes.

The only negative I have right now is that the dungeons aren't up to par and they've scrapped the tool system. Yeah yeah you can jump but that only make up for so much. Also they use that portrait dialouge crap. It's really not that bad it's just something I don't like. It's kinda like how BoF: DQ radically changed everything except this time in a good way.

You can load Alter Code data to start off with a bunch of better stuff. I would have done that except I would have had to play Alter Code again.

[Gustaff 13]

Re: Wild Arms 4

I was playing it until shinier things like RE4 and Metroid Prime Hunters sidetracked me.

In my file Yulie is catastrophically under-leveled to the point that she dies in practically every battle so I need to go back to an easier place to level. Who's got that kinda time?

[Magus]

Re: Wild Arms 4

I saw Alter Code's ending.

Jeezum crow, games need fast-forward buttons.

And writers. Who can ****ing write.

[Jamos' Old Account]

Re: Wild Arms 4

Some can write they just choose not to. Those idea hording bastards!

[Karr Lord of Chaos]

Re: Wild Arms 4

thats very high on my to buy list but i still need to finish altercode. boy i am gona go bankrupt with all these games i need to buy!

[IRC]

Re: Wild Arms 4

Just got to Baskar Village. Nice little referance to the past.

Well so far it looks like its going to be a short game, but the negatives far outweigh the past. I think my favorite aspect of the game is that they've really gone out of their way to make a cohesive plot. They've taken some mainstays of the series and integrated them to where they actually make sense compared to past games.

The battle system is still horribly unbalanced as far as stats go. Most monsters are one hit kills and Raquel is doing 10000+ damage with a normal attack where as everyone else is doing 3000ish. But with the way it works, what with the HP being replenished automatically after each battle and such, it doesn't suck. If anything it makes me optamistic that they can refine everything and Vth Vanguard will rock out with it's **** out.