Who allowed an RPG on the Xbox 360? Alert the FPS authorities immediately! by Patrick Evans

July 27, 2006 - When looking at why the original Xbox wasn't very popular in Japan you only have to look at the daunting support rival PS2 received from traditional RPG developers. FPSs and action titles are the Xbox 360's specialty thus far in its console life, but Ubisoft hopes to change that with its Enchanted Arms, the first traditional RPG in the console's short run.

Enchanted Arms' plot actually begins 1000 years prior, when mankind created golems to carry out various tasks. Like any good sentient being, the golems became angered with their subservient role and took it out on their makers. Players will assume the role of Atsuma, a young student of Enchanting in Yokohama City. Just as with countless RPGs before it, players will start the game with a very small scope of objectives and will eventually begin the quest to save the world from the golems that were locked away a millennium prior.

Like Final Fantasy and other traditional Japanese RPGs, Enchanted Arms will feature a robust storyline highlighted with extensive dialog and cut scenes. This is in direct contrast to other RPG offerings here in the states like Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion and its wide-open structure. Atsuma will begin his journey with a special ability that he doesn't understand, but will learn its meaning, purpose, and the secret to saving the world along the way. More than that, he may even learn lessons of acceptance for those of alternative lifestyles from his openly-gay friend Makoto.

One of the most prominent features that have stood out during the game's development is the vast selection of golems that can be found throughout the game. These golems can be discovered during quests in various locations and used to supplement your flesh-and-blood party. Both your human friends and the golems you acquire can be customized by purchasing skills and attribute upgrades. The combination possibilities between the human players and 75 different golems is quite impressive, but the ability to further customize your party by allotting attribute and skill upgrades as you see fit is awesome. Who hasn't wanted to build a small squad of mythical beings that sling elemental attacks at ner-do-wells, commanded by teenagers with hair styles directly out of a glam-rock music video?

The combat engine is a mix between the traditional turn-based RPG and a strategy game. When engaging with an enemy on the world map the playable characters will be set on a 4x3 grid. Set on their own grid as well, using skills against the enemy will be affected by their location. Assumedly, area-of-affect spells will use the griding system extensively, but other attacks that require a straight-line between the attacker and their victim or a specific range are other aspects to look for when maneuvering in battle. Even better, the time that each battle should encompass is nothing compared to the traditional PS2 RPG, what with its constant load times before battles and all.

Microsoft has supported From Software since day one with its hardware, and it really shows. Every indication points to an engaging and visually stunning Japanese RPG that defies common logic by appearing on a console not originally from Japan. Ubisoft bringing it to us ensures that Microsoft's commitment to Japanese developers is fulfilled and that we get to see just how well they can develop for the foreign console. Look for Enchanted Arms to silence the doubters on August 29th.

Features:

• Fast action gameplay:
  Easy-to-navigate interface, the ability to move characters in-battle, and distance-dependent attacks create fast-paced action.
• Over 50 hours of gameplay:
  Deep storyline with multiple objectives and branching missions.
• Stunning cinematic-quality HD graphics:
  Over 100 fully animated and highly detailed 3D characters with distinct faces and unique personalities. Includes over one hour of anime-style cinematics.
• Online Versus battle:
  Go head-to-head in 1 versus 1 battle and challenge other gamers on Xbox Live®.
  

By Patrick Evans
CCC Staff Writer

Rating out of 5 Enchanted Arms (X360) NA Graphics Not Available NA Control Not Available NA Music / Sound FX / Voice Acting Not Available NA Play Value Not Available NA Overall Rating - Not an average. See Rating legend above for a final score breakdown.