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Looks totally Tight

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 1 / 6
Date: April 12, 2002
Author: Amazon User

This game looks totally awesome though I am a little frustrated that it's taking to long to come out. I have heard so many good things about this game and I can't wait until it's released. I hear the storyline, the character developement I hear it's all great, so I'll have to chill till it comes out till then.

Better late then never! A classic gem finally arrives!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 7 / 7
Date: April 16, 2002
Author: Amazon User

Long ago in a time when the Sony PlayStation was just a new kid on the block, there was a launch game; one that was a little strategy RPG called ARC THE LAD. Some called it a short imitation of SHINING FORCE, but it had a nice following. Fast forward 6 years later and we finally can play it, but this time we get to play not just part one but the complete trilogy! The first game feels like a teaser it's short but fun for nostalgia seekers wanting to relive their SHINING FORCE days. The second game is the continuation of the first one but this time it's longer. The third game is a little different; it's full 3D and a little odd. Overall the three games are very old fashioned. They are from an era long gone in gaming. Sony never opted to bring these games to the US, but the good folks at Working Designs have. Okay the translation is classic WD, it's Americanized but it works. WD has a legacy of fine conversions. And the extra goodies are sweet such as the Monster Arena thingy. So should you buy this? Well, if you like strategy RPGs and don't mind stepping back in time by all means YES!!!

GREAT ELEMENTS

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 1 / 4
Date: April 21, 2002
Author: Amazon User

OK, first off, arc the lad 1 was just so-so, but worth playing, but thats understandable for when it was made, but it wouldve been better if it was longer. Arc the lad 2 was a great game!, I can find no improvements I would make to 2 because i thought it was really cool, I mean it had a tactics battle system but it was a real rpg, not just battles number 2 is what i was looking for when I bought this, And arc the lad 3, I liked it too Very good stories!

More than worth the asking price.

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 18 / 19
Date: April 26, 2002
Author: Amazon User

Let us get this out of the way first, Arc the Lad is not Final Fantasy. It hasn't the graphical beauty, the story ambition (though its parts have great ones), or unique design elements meant to push the rpg genre to new heights. Reasons for this are obvious: Arc the Lad 1&2 were much before the flash of FF, so comparable graphics shouldn't be expected. Arc 3 was release after FF 7 and 8, but didn't seek lofty ambition.

Basically its about this, FUN. That's the word of the day people, so listen close. Arc the Lad is a strategized, character developed, story driven (at least the first two), job hunting, monster bashing good time.

That's right, I said STRATEGIZED, meaning like a grid-based strategy game. Think Final Fantasy Tactics with less depth, and that's pretty much it. That lack of depth gives this game a much more user-friendly feel, allowing for pick-up-and-play action instead of read-the-manual-5-times-and-still-get-the-[snot]-kicked-out-of-you-action.

Arc the Lad's play mechanics are like a strategy/traditional rpg hybrid, combining the character control and exploration of a traditional (Arc 2, mostly) with grid-combat intensive battles (what Arc 1 is pretty much, with only two chances throughout to control the character like previously stated). All three include this extremely unique mix of both elements, happily dishing steaming helpings of fun.

Arc 1 is the one mainly lacking in depth, it hasn't much but offers a very simplistic and perfectly enjoyable time.

Arc 2 continues 1's abrupt stoppage with a much more fleshed out story (not the single-minded save the world story of 1) featuring characters expertly developed that show many more emotional facets (like an opal compared to a marquis-cut diamond, both are beautiful, but the diamond has more to look at).

Arc 3 takes place 10 years later, thrusting upon the player new characters with mere cameos of previous protaganists. Though this can be a bit saddening, Arc 3 is a great game in its own right--continuing that extremely enjoyable battle system that was the draw of the 2 previous.

The story, as expected, is excellent. Much of this is due to Working Designs' attention to detail; through that, a beautiful creature was created. It's fun and easy to read while providing comic relief to the melodrama (yeah, there is quite a bit of it in Arc 2, unfortunately). The melodrama is pretty jarring, but it fits into the story alright and isn't any reason to not play.

This is your game if you have always enjoyed those grid-based strategy niche titles, but want a traditional flair. You won't be disappointed.

North American gamers have been missing out, until now.

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 2 / 2
Date: April 30, 2002
Author: Amazon User

I have played these game on import, with some choppy translations that I got off the internet. Now I bought the collection, and can appreciate the game in full. These are games that any RPG fan will love.

This has all three Arc The Lad games, which in itself would make the collection worth the price, but you get extras, including a book, some button covers, and if your lucky, a watch. As far a RPGs go, these are standard, and stick to a winning formula that will remind games of Final Fantasy and Wild Arms. Considering the age of these games, the graphics and music are quite impressive. The story is a breath of fresh air when you consider how often RPG elements are recycled from game to game. The story and characters are engrossing and never cease to be interesting.

The drawbacks are relative to the gamer. People who favor Final Fantasy X might find the graphics and sound to be a bit dated, but based on the success of the FF Chronicles and Anthology, most gamers can look beyond that. The control is also a bit tricky at times, but with time, it is easy to master.

Overall, this collection is a sound purchase. It has three decent, quality RPGs that will keep you busy for quite some time. What more could you ask for?

Worth the wait and the price

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 4 / 6
Date: May 05, 2002
Author: Amazon User

Being an american gamer I heard of arc the lad because of the anime movies I knew it was a game but had no idea about the game play so when working desgins announced a remake of these 3 classics in one package I got excited for 69.99 you get 3 games and side battle game and a making of cd and an box of extras kinda like the lunar series some of you might know. now on to game play this is a statagy rpg no ramdom battles you move across a landscape despensing of your enamies each charaters have thair strenghts and weaknesses your usuall the healer, magic caster, you summoner, your hero, you muscle ect. arc the lad is a short but sweet arc 2 is where the fun is i recomend to start at the beginning but arc 2 is the best it a very long game arc 3 graphic are better but not as good a 2 also part 2 has that extra battle cd to collect extra items and exp. points also if your friend has arc 2 you can battle each other but you must each have your own saved data on your memory card. arc has dated graphics but who buys a rpg for graphics plus this game is at least 6 years old. if you love rpgs or stratagy game you will love arc its a must have for any rpgers libray and will be a classic.

Awesome game!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 2 / 7
Date: June 02, 2002
Author: Amazon User

First off if you have never played an rpg or strategy games do not buy this yet, go play something easier and less confusing battle system like wild arms or grandia. But if you are like me and have played tons of rpg's and strategy games this is for you!!!!!! The battle system rocks it comes with three games and oh yeah don't be discouraged by arc 1 which is a great game but is only story and battlle with almost no moving around arc 2 is still like arc 1 but there is a world map you can walk on and more no alot more non key characters you can talk to, and lots of new cool stuff more rpgish I guess. Any way arc 1 and 2 are cool and I haven't played arc 3 yet but it is worth the money trust me!!!! Three complete games a monster arena game and a making of disk which is cool. Also if you have bought the collecters edition lunar (great game buy lunar also) this is kind of like that it comes with thumb button covers(don't know why but still cool) and mini character stand ups which look pretty cool when on display. ok I think I have said to much!!!! Just buy it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The last (and first) great PSX RPG is one of the best...

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 15 / 16
Date: July 23, 2002
Author: Amazon User

...This impressive omnibus contains four games (three full RPGs and one sideline) spanning five CDs, a "Making Of" disc, twenty-two character standees, Dual Shock analog stick covers, and a Memory Card holder. There hasn't been this much pack-in goodness since the glory days of Infocom.

If you love turn-based strategy RPGs, such as Final Fantasy Tactics or Ogre Battle, you'll like this too. While not as complex as FFT, it is *much* faster paced, making battles less of a time-consuming chore. While you still have to think several moves ahead, you won't be spending so much time messing with the details of battlefield position and resource allocation, allowing you to focus more on the battle itself and the game's plot.

While any of the three RPGs in this box can be played individually, it's when played in order that the series truly comes into its own. Arc I is really little more than a ten-hour prologue for the much larger Arc II, while Arc III continues the storyline several generations later. Furthermore, if you completed the previous game, that savefile can be imported into the next game, which can unlock secrets and cause interesting things to happen.

The fourth game, Arc Arena, isn't a full RPG despite what the box says. Rather, it is a training ground for monsters you've captured in Arc II. Here, you set them to battle either computer-controlled monsters or those captured by another human, stored on his or her own Memory Card. Think Pokemon, only without the cloying kid-stuff. Doing well in the Arena grants you access to various special items and bonuses, some of which can be brought back into Arc II.

Fans of Working Designs's past work will be pleased to learn that the writing is up to their usual high standards, while detractors will be relieved to know that the script relies less on pop-culture references and fourth-wall gags than past WD translations (though there are a few of both). This is a double-edged sword, as you might well expect; WD's many detractors continually cite the relative inaccuracy of their translations (the term "hack jobs" has been used rather freely to describe them), yet even so, the writing *itself* is generally of a much higher quality than other, more accurate translations.

While it may seem a high price to pay, considering everything that you get - the three RPGs included by thesmelves represent over 200 hours of potential gameplay, if you take the time to explore each throroughly - it's actually something of a bargain. Toss in a compelling storyline and memorable characters, and you have a winner! The last great PSX RPG package in America (with Enix's recent cancellation of Dragon Warrior IV) is most assuredly worth picking up.

It deserves five stars but...

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 1 / 2
Date: January 25, 2003
Author: Amazon User

First of all, the info. on these games say that there are four complete rpgs... thats a complete lie! There is Arc 1 Arc 2 and Arc 3, then there is a battle type game called Arc arena, it's not a rpg!
Anyways... the first Arc is pretty ancient but good none the less. It's pretty much battle-save-battle, but it's great for the stratagy gamer. As for the battle system, I thought it was awesome! All your charactors are on different places on the field and you have to work your way into each battle. It's a great system because it's not like the other ones where you could win the battle just by pounding down on one button the entire time. The story's pretty good but it doesn't end, it continues on into the second game.
The game is really awesome. It makes you think that the only reason to play the first is to get to this one! The main charactor, Elc, is hilarious with his horrible language and attitude. The game is more like a modern rpg, with puzzels and sidequests, unlike Arc 1. The battle system is still the same tho.
Now on to Arc 3. I just have one thing to say, compared to Arc 1 and 2, this is a HUGE disapointment! Your a hunter who basically just does hunter jobs. Maybe a plot developes later on, but after 18 straight hours of nothing but hunter jobs, I just couldn't take it anymore, I HAD to stop!! The graphics were weird! I mean the other games graphics had those lunar style chacractors who were pretty enjoyable. In this it looked like the makers couldn't decide between lunar and a more modern game, ending up with awkward, tall, streched out people. It's just horrible! And the main charactor has no charactor!! I kept thinking that Elc could run in and kill him, and then scream, "ha ha!! Now I'm the main charactor", and no one would complain. I think the only good thing about the game is that they left the battle system pretty much the same. For a hard core Arc fan, this game is one to stay away from, but it comes in the same box as the other two, so buy it anyway, for them

Havent played it but love the look

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 0 / 6
Date: March 17, 2003
Author: Amazon User

i havent played it but what i have seen it looks sweet i am planing on ordering it tommorrow. The thing that is really cool you get 4 games, 3 rpgs and another one where you can take monsters from Arc II and battle them on the c.d. ( it is like pokemon but it isn't the cute little moster its is better) it is what pokemon should be like.

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