Something Hardcore for the Wii

With more and more casual games coming out every day for the Wii, the hardcore audience has definitely been pushed aside. Ambitious and hardcore titles like Mad World and No More Heroes have their work cut out for them on a console were games like Carnival Party and Imagine Babies dominate. Despite this, developers continue to push the boundaries for the Wii, using the revolutionary technology that made the Nintendo console so popular to begin with. Developer Imageepoch has decided to try and break through this casual barrier, and to great results. Imageepoch has roots grounded in the DS, where it has made several successful titles. Its new title, Arc Rise Fantasia, which is already out in Japan, is a step up in all aspects for the developer.

Imageepoch has crafted a fine Japanese role playing experience for the Wii. Japanese role playing games, or JRPGs as they are often called, follow trends in game play that have stood for decades. JRPGs place an emphasis on character development and usually contain a linear narrative, which makes it difficult for them to target a larger audience. These games always contain a distinctly Japanese flair and the genre pulls in hardcore fans who have played the genre since the time of the NES. Publisher Ignition has voiced their excitement at being able to bring this unique experience to western gamers. Featuring great production values, turn based game play with a twist, and a full roster of characters and monsters to join your party, Arc Rise Fantasia will bring the JRPG experience to a new audience on the Wii.

Epic Story with Vivid Characters

Arc Rise Fantasia tells the epic tale of the Meridian Empire. This expansive empire has an unfortunate problem on its hands, dreaded creatures known as Feldragons. Whenever a Feldragon expires it contaminates the area with poisonous fumes, killing everything on the ground and in the air. As soon as the Meridian Empire gets word that a roving horde of these monsters are heading for its capitol, it throws together an army to stop the creatures in their tracks. Lucky for us this armada is home to the main protagonist, a cool and collected, albeit young, mercenary by the name of L’Arc.

The game starts with L’Arc and his best friend Alf, the crown prince and next in line of the Meridian Empire, traveling on their merry way to stop the Feldragons from destroying more of the kingdom. During the ensuing battle, L’Arc is severely injured, knocked from his airship to the forest floor. There he is found by Ryfia, an attractive, nature loving, diva from an opposing country. Thus begins one of the games many and complex character plots as L’Arc begins to fall for his apparent opposite in Ryfia. Ryfia is the first of many dynamic and complex characters that will join him in his adventure across the Meridian Empire.

Turn Based Gameplay with a Twist

The game uses turn based combat, with up to three people in your party, though sometimes a fourth AI controlled character will join you. Both sides of the battle take their turn at the same time, allowing fast paced combat as characters and enemies dish out attacks in quick succession. Players will have a certain amount of action points that must be assigned to each character. Once distribution of AP is complete, battle commences with characters and enemies going through turns to attack each other.