Wild Arms XF Coming To The US

[Gorvi]

With R Type Tactics rumored (http://www.evilavatar.com/forums/showthread.php?t=39615) to be coming to the US courtesy of Atlus, there really was only one more SRPG from Japan that we weren't yet set to receive: Wild Arms XF. Well, XSEED has seen fit to remedy that situation, announcing that they will be bringing the game over to our shores next year. From IGN (http://games.ign.com/articles/838/838734p1.html?RSSwhen2007-11-29_195000&RSSid=838734):
Wild ARMs XF (pronounced "Crossfire") is the newest installment in the long-running role-playing series which marks a couple firsts for the franchise; the first one containing tactical strategy gameplay, as well as the first Wild ARMs game to appear on a handheld system. Wild ARMs XF offers a unique strategy role-playing experience with a hex-based grid system producing more tactical positioning options, a large number of job classes allowing vast party customization, and a wide range of mission objectives making it one of the deepest strategy games on the PSP system. Wild ARMs XF features an all-new cast in an epic story of death, betrayal and redemption played out against the backdrop of the dying world of Filgaia.

Key Features:
Innovative hex-based battle grid system allows more tactical positioning options, such as Formation Arts and Combination Arts, as opposed to the traditional square-based battle grid.
One of the deepest strategy games on the PSP system with over 60 stages containing a wide array of mission objectives, as well as numerous optional battles.
Almost endless party customization with over 20 unique job classes to choose from such as Berserker, Elementalist, Grappler, Geomancer and Sacred Slayer.
Extensive material creation options to create more powerful weapons, spell books and armor by combining rare materials obtained by sending out hired mercenaries to scavenge throughout the world of Filgaia.
US-exclusive inclusion of a Music Library containing 20 select tracks from the game accessible any time from the game menu.
I never can seem to get enough of these games, so this is a very welcome announcement. It looks like games of this type have really found a home on portables lately.

[frederec]

In the Japanese games, there was a way you could connect this game to Wild Arms 5 and unlock things in each game. I wonder if this will still be possible in the US versions, especially since it's the same people putting out both games.

Either way, I'll be looking forward to this. The PSP is really turning into one hell of a strategy RPG powerhouse.

[Gorvi]

I haven't played a Wild Arms game since 3, but I may have to try to track down 4 and 5, especially if 5 connects with this. I'm on an older RPG kick right now (loving Suikoden), so I may just start the series over at 1 since I haven't completed any of them.

This is one of the Japanese trailers, there's a good amount of gameplay shown:

24836

[frederec]

I haven't played a Wild Arms game since 3, but I may have to try to track down 4 and 5, especially if 5 connects with this. I'm on an older RPG kick right now (loving Suikoden), so I may just start the series over at 1 since I haven't completed any of them.


I would recommend trying either 4 or 5. The hex-based battle system they started in 4 really livened up the series.

[TrackZero]

Maybe it's too early in the morning, but the post doesn't say what system it's for. Since it's Gorvi's post, I can already kind of guess.....

Edit: Ah, PSP hex tactical game with a dog that does 9999 damage.

[Gorvi]

Maybe it's too early in the morning, but the post doesn't say what system it's for. Since it's Gorvi's post, I can already kind of guess.....
One of the deepest strategy games on the PSP system with over 60 stages containing a wide array of mission objectives, as well as numerous optional battles.
Care to hazard a guess? ;)

[dark_inchworm]

I never can seem to get enough of these [fabulous things], so this is a very welcome announcement. It looks like [fabulous things] of this type have really found a home on portables lately.

I'm no expert, but it seems like RPGs in general have mostly migrated to handhelds for now. The Wii isn't a system that necessarily lends itself well to your typical RPG (not that I wouldn't like to see more effort), the 360 is an American product still working slowly on Japanese support, and the PS3 has a relatively small userbase compared to the other two.

But handhelds? Players out the wazoo.

(had to edit your post slightly because my school won't allow "the 'g' word" to be submitted)

[frederec]

I'm no expert, but it seems like RPGs in general have mostly migrated to handhelds for now. The Wii isn't a system that necessarily lends itself well to your typical RPG (not that I wouldn't like to see more effort), the 360 is an American product still working slowly on Japanese support, and the PS3 has a relatively small userbase compared to the other two.

But handhelds? Players out the wazoo.

(had to edit your post slightly because my school won't allow "the 'g' word" to be submitted)

Very true. Since the PS2 has pretty much stopped putting out games, the PSP and the DS have really become the focus of all my RPG time, the PSP especially. I think all the other consoles will come in time, but for now, it's all about the handhelds.

And it's really jacked up that the word "game" is censored for you. I've never heard of that before.

[Gorvi]

Very true. Since the PS2 has pretty much stopped putting out games, the PSP and the DS have really become the focus of all my RPG time, the PSP especially. I think all the other consoles will come in time, but for now, it's all about the handhelds.

And it's really jacked up that the word "game" is censored for you. I've never heard of that before.
Speaking of which, have you tried Brave Story? If so, is it worth picking up?

[frederec]

Speaking of which, have you tried Brave Story? If so, is it worth picking up?

No, I haven't. I've heard both good things and mediocre things about it, so I figure I'll wait until I can get it for less than $40.

[Heretic Machine]

Wild Arms + TBS = Win.

[Animated X]

Speaking of which, have you tried Brave Story? If so, is it worth picking up?

I played through Brave Story in August, shortly after its release. Overall, a great game, a really polished old school style turn based rpg. The graphics are really impressive for a Psp game, almost ps2 quality, with a nice soft graphical blur effect. The characters are very well done, and it has a catgirl, which is always a plus in my book. It also has cool tag team attacks similar to the suikoden series, which a cool to perform.

The only real negative I can think of is that its a bit too linear and formulaic. There is really no chance for extra side quests, or any deviating from the main story path.

Overall a great game, definately in the top 3 RPGs on the PsP, with Disgaea and FF tactics.

Edit: Forgot to even comment on Wild Arms XF, so caught up in singing the praises of Brave Story. I was actually a little worried that XF would be overlooked for domestic release, what with the current glut of Srpgs on the market (Disgaea, FFT, and Jean D'arc). I am glad its coming and will definitely be picking it up day one.

[Gorvi]

I played through Brave Story in August, shortly after its release. Overall, a great game, a really polished old school style turn based rpg. The graphics are really impressive for a Psp game, almost ps2 quality, with a nice soft graphical blur effect. The characters are very well done, and it has a catgirl, which is always a plus in my book. It also has cool tag team attacks similar to the suikoden series, which a cool to perform.

The only real negative I can think of is that its a bit too linear and formulaic. There is really no chance for extra side quests, or any deviating from the main story path.

Overall a great game, definately in the top 3 RPGs on the PsP, with Disgaea and FF tactics.
Cool, thanks! I'll have to keep an eye out for the game, as that pretty much mirrors what I've heard about the game so far. How long would you say it is?

[Animated X]

Its a little short, but its all main storyline quest, moving things along. Because there are not really any side quests (except for finding the ultimate weapons for each character, which I didn't do), it clocked it at 23.5 hours for my endgame (just after beating last boss) savefile.

There is a nice perk when you finish the game though. As you progress in the main story, you gain regulary party members, eventually having 6 or 7 to choose from, but you also get certain guest characters in your party. When you finish the game, you can put any of the regular or guest characters in your party, brining the pool of characters to like 12 or something absurd like that.