Retrospective: Wild ARMs
The time was somewhere along the 90’s. The SNES and Genesis were about to step aside from being the top dogs in the gaming world as we say “farewell” to full-blown 16-bit gaming as we knew it. Changes were abound, and no one knew what was going to happen.
Enter Sony’s attempt to capture the gaming market: The Sony PlayStation.
As history will tell us, the PlayStation would become one of the most popular systems to ever grace the world, and the PlayStation 2 would pick up the same pace and become just as popular. But back when it was starting, they definitely needed a powerhouse title in order to let everyone know that this system is truly worth the hype. Yes, it is the very same game that virtually started the whole “Final Fantasy Fanboy (FFF)” craze, that being Final Fantasy VII. So Sony definitely had a solid base to revolve the PS back in the day.
But many people fail to realize that while VII is a solid title to have, there is another title that deserves just as much attention. In a way, this is a title that ensured that even though things have changed, there are certainly things that definitely remained the same, and that’s good for business if you ask me:
Vintage and awesome
Those who may not be familiar with the first title, Wild ARMs is about three heroes saving the world against demons wanting to bring ruin on Filgaia (a name what would have been significant in its sequels). Yes, the premise is simple, and come to think of it, maybe that’s why it worked well.
It is a time when 3D gaming would officially take the spotlight, and that old-school would step in a dark corner. But thanks to this game, it helped retain a sense of vintage in the world of role-playing games, take it for what it’s worth. The story is very enticing in a fantasy-esque setting, as much as it has a unique take on the usual gaming format found in role-playing games. It is part-puzzle game as well, if you consider the challenges faced to get through certain dungeons.
Personally, it is one of my top favorite franchises for retaining its fantasy feel with a Western twist in a time that graphics and coolness are on top of anyone’s minds. Case in point: Final Fantasy VII. Don’t get me wrong, FFVII will always have a special place in gaming history for its amazing contributions. But Wild ARMs will always have a special place in the heart of gamers who prefer to not forget where RPG’s are built upon, when it is the very story of the game, as well as its unique gameplay, that has captured the imagination of gamers and make them feel that they are like reading a novel that keeps them coming back for more. Yes, I said it, coming back for more. VII and ARMs are polar opposites in this case, with VII boasting on graphics and awesomeness while ARMs can be proud of their wonderful story and old-school feel. Let’s not forget the anime-ish looks, which is a pretty cool bonus in my book. With four sequels, a great remake, and a spinoff on the PSP, you can’t go wrong with a time-tested title more than ten years after the debut of the original.
Thank God for whoever came up with this game, and this franchise as a whole. Those who have not tried this game yet, I seriously urge you to consider saving your time to experience one of the most gratuitous RPG’s around. Bank on it.
I never did get into the Wild Arms series. I find the random encounters too frequent and annoying. Anyway I have the first game on my PS3 downloaded from the PSN store hoping to give it another chance. But sadly I still haven’t even booted it up. XD
Try it out as soon as you possibly can! You might be surprised, actually. XD
There was this legendary bug that allows you to duplicate items and make your life easier. Don’t know if they removed that bug already. But I never really got into that code though. Don’t want my games to be a breeze because of cheats XD
I replayed Wild Arms a few summers ago. The game does NOT hold up at all; in fact, come to think of it, I can’t name a single PSone RPG from 1996-1997 that is still remotely playable (barring the first Vandal Hearts).
YMMV for people wanting to get into the series, of course.
To each, his/her own I guess XD
There’s always the remake to the original, Wild ARMs: Alter Code F for the PlayStation 2. That should be an alternative at least =D