Graphically this game is just beautiful. It has a very Japanese style-artsy look to it and reminds me so much of the old Final Fantasy games (VII and VIII) that it could easily have been made by the same developers. The character models are well crafted and include everything from spiky haired punks to fire breathing dragons to three-headed reptiles. It is obvious that From Software spent more time on the main characters than the non-plot affecting ones but that is to be expected in a game that boasts so many different characters I couldn’t even count them. The CG movies are something that really shows off the power of the Xbox 360. True they are just movies, but still they look amazing.
Environments in this type of game are so important because they are what draws a gamer in and makes them feel as if this world really exists and here Enchanted Arms really hits a home run. Some of the best looking environments that I have ever seen in a videogame are ready to be explored by Atsuma and his team of cohorts. One of the great things about the levels in this game is that each one has such a different feel and style to it that you never feel like they get repetitive. The game takes place with an over the shoulder third person camera style that allows you to not only see where you are going, but really enjoy the beautiful scenery around you. The special EX moves that your human characters can pull off are similar to “summons” in Final Fantasy and they are graphically jaw dropping to say the least. There are a few camera issues and blurring effects but overall this is a game that graphically can stand up to anything out there on any system today.
Final Word
Finally there is a great Japanese role-playing game that has become available to non-Japanese gamers. The storyline is great and the gameplay that gets you through that storyline is polished, and even encompasses some new features that will have you giggling with delight. The online mode is something that is great for a quick fix of RPG style elements and can also add hours upon hours of gameplay. I didn’t have a problem with the English audio so the game was just a joy to play through for me. The graphical department should be proud for all aspects of the title; really it is just a feast for the eyes. The environments are so different and each character so unique that the game never really feels repetitive.
Enchanted Arms is not the best RPG I have ever played, but it is close and is easily the game I have spent the most hours playing on my Xbox 360. If Oblivion is not your style of gameplay then I highly recommend you pick up Enchanted Arms as soon as possible, you will not regret it.
