Arc Rise Fantasia: refreshingly familiar
by Alisha Karabinus 
{ Oct 25th 2008 at 1:25PM }
This doesn't mean Arc Rise Fantasia doesn't have potential on its own. We've certainly enjoyed Image Epoch's work so far, and more RPGs on the Wii means more happiness. It just looks very ... familiar, and more so every time new media is released.
Anyone else hoping for a Japanese track in the English-language versions of the game? Everything just sounds so right in the footage that it's hard to imagine with less-energetic American voice actors.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Tristan @ Oct 25th 2008 1:33PM
Im so ready for this game, I wish it would come here even faster!
Bowser the Baptist @ Oct 25th 2008 1:44PM
Arc Tales of Fantasy Arcadia.
Way to forge a unique identity. I look forward to the many genericisms I will certainly encounter in this title.
Giggity @ Oct 25th 2008 1:50PM
Whoa, awesome!
I can't wait for this game! But it doesn't really look like Final Fantasy to me. The battle system and art sytle makes me think more of the "Star Ocean" or "Tales of" games. Though I do agree that the game can't be judged on what other games it appears to resemble. I'm betting that Arc Rise Fantasia is going to have awesome gameplay and a story line to boot!
As for keeping the japanese track intact I hope that they would at least try for a good dub first or have the option of an english voices. I think that there is no point in having the characters voiced if you can't understand them.
Mr Khan @ Oct 25th 2008 2:09PM
Played one JRPG you've played 'em all, but that doesn't make them any worse individually
Being a fan of color, i'm at least vaguely interested in this.
Kia @ Oct 26th 2008 12:02PM
Because of course playing Tales is remotely similar to playing Final Fantasy is remotely similar to playing Valkyrie Profile is remotely similar to playing Star Ocean is remote--etc, etc. *applaud*
Ty @ Oct 25th 2008 2:24PM
Yeah its obvious they are influenced by FF. what isn't nowadays? I did see a similar bahamut, the title reflects FF, the large castles and colors, and male and female leads hugging.
but god damn i need an RPG on the wii. Its not like being influenced by Squenix is THAT bad. I mean they coulda been influenced by Ninja Bread Man or is it Billy the Wizard: Rocket Broomstick Racing
Kia @ Oct 26th 2008 12:01PM
You really think castles/bright colors/HUGGING are indicative of Square Enix? Really? -Seriously-?
Pixel-One @ Oct 25th 2008 2:47PM
I'm just glad to see that there's a JRPG that's not trying to deny that it's a JRPG. Way too many of them lately have tried to be different, and almost all of them have ended up just a little too different.
Cannot wait for this game.
MarkShark @ Oct 25th 2008 3:01PM
Yes, it's definately a JRPG... Is it like Final Fantasy? Not even 10 scenes reminded me of it specifically.
Like said above the style in general reminds me more of Tales of or Star Ocean, but not to much I'd say.
Yeah, as we've concluded, this is a JRPG.
And I definately want it.
intro94 @ Oct 25th 2008 3:54PM
for many people anime+rpg will remind em of final fantasy in a way or another.Not that its neccesarily true or false.Its just a factor.Personally i find this much more like Tales than Fantasy.It still can be a good title on its own.As a matter of fact i have some faith in the makers of this title.
leonus11 @ Oct 25th 2008 4:31PM
wether or not it reminds me of FF or any TALES OF games won't stop me (or many other Wii and JRPG lovers) from buying this game! it simply looks AWESOME (duh!! its a JPRG!!) and so intriging! plus the Wii NEEDS more RPG's/JRPG's! can't wait till they release this!
Haohmaru @ Oct 25th 2008 11:04PM
Yeah, no. It doesn't remind me of Final Fantasy at all. If I didn't know better, I would've confused it for an Arc the Lad game.
Kia @ Oct 26th 2008 11:59AM
As usual Wii Fanboy proves itself a sterling example for journalism everywhere. This doesn't look remotely like Final Fantasy. Hell, I even tried and watched the trailer again to see if I could piece together similar scenes...Nope. I think you guys should just stop covering RPGs altogether, you horribly suck at it. Every time there's a niche RPG on here there's always -something- to bash.
Don't even get me started on the weeaboo "lawl japanese only plz" comments. Because of COURSE there's no such thing as a good English dub. Never mind the old standby Cowboy Bebop, Haruhi, Gurren Lagann, Air, Kanon, the list goes on. Freakin' japanophiles.
BenHo @ Oct 26th 2008 10:41PM
I might be able to see why you're taking this so seriously if WiiFanboy actually said that looking like Final Fantasy was a BAD thing.
Haohmaru @ Oct 26th 2008 11:07PM
Don't forget Samurai Champloo. The English VA's were amazing.
Ty @ Oct 26th 2008 12:40PM
HUG- http://www.dfsm.org/layouts/games/final-fantasy/Final%20Fantasy%20X.jpg
TITLE- http://www.ps3vault.com/media/11-08-06/ff13b.jpg
BenHo @ Oct 26th 2008 11:17PM
I have to disagree with you, NWFanboy. The game doesn't look like Final Fantasy to me at all, but it does look a lot like a generic Jrpg. not that that's a problem. I love Jrpg's.
I know the game will be dubbed, and the chances that the dub will be be bad these days is pretty low, but just in case, it would be nice if there was a japanese language option.
Haohmaru @ Oct 26th 2008 11:21PM
..But the title doesn't look at all like Final Fantasy's. I'm not sure what you're getting at, Ty. You may also be shocked to discover that many people the world over do, in fact, hug those they care deeply about.
I'm baffled as to why some are so rigorously grasping for straws on this point. Unless we're calling any Japanese RPG that happens to contain swords, magic, monsters, and a plot "Final Fantasy clones," this certainly is not. More like a Tales game, which is understandable considering the director and scenario writer for the game.
I still say the character design and graphics style reminds me of the PS2 Arc the Lad games, though.