Lost Classics: Arc the Lad Collection (Playstation)

Although this game was one of the first role playing games to be released on the original Playstation in Japan, it would end up being the one of the last RPGs on the original PS1 in America. Arc the lad spawned several sequels and an anime series. Ironically, even though it was Sony Computer Entertainment themselves who owned the franchise, the ‘anti-2-d’ stance of its American branch was the main factor that prevented this game’s release. Working Designs (best known for its U.S.releases of Lunar) even attempted to score the U.S. publishing rights to the three games, but they were denied by Sony. However, things turned around thanks to new management at Sony and the success of other RPGs, most notable Final Fantasy VII and VIII. After several months of delays, Working Designs finally gave us the chance to play this classic. Not only that, we got all three PS1 games to boot. Arc the Lad Collection carried a $75 price tag, but being able to play this classic RPG series made the hefty price worth it.

What makes this series unique is that while most RPG sequels are almost completely unrelated to the games before it (save for the usual ‘thousands of years after the great battle in Epic RPG 1′ cop out), Arc the Lad’s first two sequels take place a short time after the preceding entries. That’s why fans will appreciate Arc I, II, and III being packaged together like this, as plot threads and characters will appear throughout each game in the series. They will appreciate it even more considering the short length of Arc I, which can be completed in 10 – 15 hours, and has very few side quests, save for a frustratingly difficult 50-floor dungeon. In an even cooler feature, save game data can be transferred between the three games. Starting new games in Arc II and III using the data from the previous title opens up new events.

Arc I serves as a preview for the series. You’ll meet Arc, a lad destined to defeat the Dark One. He is the main character in this game in the series, and he plays a huge role in the second and third games. Arc II centers around Elc, a hunter who takes it upon himself to hunt down Arc to attempt to claim the bounty on his head. Eventually he the two meet up, and unite to stop a greater evil. Arc II is much more drawn out than Arc I, and the action is more fast paced. You’ll learn more about plot elements and villains that were only hinted at in Arc I. You’ll meet a new companion, Eliza, who can capture enemy monsters, train them, have them participate in battle, and improve their abilities. You can even take them to the Arc Arena disc (more on this later) and have them compete against a friend. There is also a greater amount of side quests thanks in no small part to the Hunter system, a job board in which you can take new missions to earn cash and items. Be warned though, the final area is extremely difficult.

Arc III brings the series to 3-d, and although the graphics aren’t much to speak of, the series’ top notch gameplay and story remain intact. As Alec, a young boy who wishes to become a hunter, you attempt to make a living in the aftermath of the ‘Great Disaster’ from the previous game. You’ll meet a new cast of characters, and the characters from the characters from the previous games in the series will make guest appearences, and some will even join your party at various points. The Hunter system from Arc II makes its return, only this time it composes the main portion of the game, as both main quests and side quests alike can be taken from the Hunter’s boards. The quests can be taken in any order, giving the game an open-world flavor. Although you can’t capture and train monsters again, a character named Theo can bind them to cards, allowing you to use them in summon attacks.

This collection was one of the last big games for the original Playstation. Unfortunately, few people outside of a loyal fanbase paid any attention to it due to its high price tag, 90s era graphics, and the fact that it was released well into the PS2 era. Even so, it’s a crime that these games were sadly overlooked. What they lacked in graphics, they made up for with its interesting cast of characters, epic, and simple-yet-addictive turn-based strategy gameplay. That packaging wasn’t bad either. Along with the games themselves (which composed 4 discs worth of content), you got Arc Arena (a companion disc for Arc the Lad 2 which allowed you to pit captured monsters in arena battles a’la Pokemon), a set of character standees, analog stick covers, a hardcover instruction manual, and a ‘making of’ documentary disc. Along with a Wonderswan spin-off, the series would receive two PS2 sequels: Twighlight of the Spirits and the disappointing End of Darkness. It’s quite doubtful that we’ll see another Arc game, but there is always hope that Sony will re-release the first three PS1 games as Playstation store downloads. This series deserves another shot at popularity.