When games cause me to ponder concepts, I think they’ve done their job well. So, yes, the whole “save the world” RPG cliché is still alive and kicking, but at least it is not a cookie cutter RPG story and actually has some substance. The Real versus Imaginal debate may seem simplistic at its core, but the concepts go quite deeper as the story unfolds, to the point where not only the characters are questioning what the right course of action is, but so are you, the player. This is where the story best succeeds and why I enjoyed playing it as much as I did. The game does throw some hints at you along the way, but never does it make anything predictable. The more experienced players are with RPGs, the harder it is to take them by surprise, and it truly was a delight for me that ARF was able to do that. There were times when I was absolutely blindsided. I must say, ARF has one incredibly complex narrative. Because of this, your party ebbs and flows and you never really know who’s really on your side.
![arc rise fantasia review arc rise fantasia review](http://assets2.ignimgs.com/2010/07/09/arc-rise-fantasia-20100709042637873-3258123.jpg)
This creates a divide between everybody from different countries and even splits your own party. Real’s Law promotes destruction as a means to save the world from its dark fate, while Imaginal’s Law fosters life to reach the same ends. In the case of ARF, the two main religious philosophies are Real’s Law and Imaginal’s Law. You see, there are two sides to every story. This leads to one big “save the world” philosophical adventure that L’Arc couldn’t be prepared for… and neither was I. Ryfia is lost and confused by her surroundings and L’Arc takes pity on her naïveté about the world and tries to help her.
![arc rise fantasia review arc rise fantasia review](https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/imagebigid4292491rollenspielmarvelous_interactiveimage_epocharc_rise_fantasia1256234480.jpg)
One day when L’Arc is out, he bumps into a Diva from a different land named Ryfia. In ARF, the main character is a mercenary named L’Arc. Trying to Save the World in True JRPG Fashion – With a Twist
![arc rise fantasia review arc rise fantasia review](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/-4yebIV8XIE/hqdefault.jpg)
I’ll be honest, it has its faults, but the game captures the essence of the JRPG so well that if you’ve felt the devastating gaming effects of the JRPG drought, you’ll more than appreciate ARF.
#Arc rise fantasia review full#
With its characters that develop a close camaraderie, a story full of twists and turns, and boss battles that are both challenging and rewarding, there’s no denying that this is an RPG that any JRPG fan shouldn’t miss out on. Thankfully, I have good news: we shall be sparkless no more. Lately, it has been hard to face the drought of quality console JRPGs even the ones we did receive have been missing that little spark that makes the JRPG pop. Hallelujah! Arc Rise Fantasia (ARF) is the answer to my JRPG prayers.