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Luminous Arc 2
Publisher: Atlus
Developer: Image Epoch
Genre: Strategy RPG
Release Date: November 18, 2008
Platform: Nintendo DS
ESRB: T - Teen
Reviewer: Eric
 As
a slew of “Do It Yourself” products are coming out for the Nintendo DS there is
still hope for this video game portable. Atlus realizes that the DS is about
gaming and nothing else, which is why they decided to give the Luminous Arc
series another chance with Luminous Arc 2.
Strategy RPGs are known for their rock-paper-scissors and chess-like style of
gameplay. Luminous Arc 2 takes this approach and turns them into one hell of a
game on Nintendo’s portable console. The second game in the series is a huge
improvement over the first game. If you played the original Luminous Arc game
then congratulations, if you didn’t then there is no need to worry since the
second game in the series will cheer you up.
Luminous Arc 2 doesn’t expand too much on the strategy role playing game genre
too much. What the game does do is make everything that much better from the
first game. The dull screen is used to its max capabilities the second time
around. Battles can be controlled with the stylus if you’d like and map/shop
movement is a breeze with the easy to use options. There is no need to look
through a ton of painful screens to do one little thing. Image Epoch set things
straight with Luminous Arc 2.
The world of Luminous Arc is still filled with big breasted women and silly
looking enemies. Magic casters all seem to look the same and the man hero looks
like he can always use a hug. The manga style is definitely a nice touch and
this time around the graphics seem to be a little better. But still the game can
not compare to some of the other games that we have seen on the DS as of late.
There is plenty of voice acting to go along in this game. Fans of long, dragged
out stories will be glad to know that Luminous Arc 2 sometimes feels more like a
book than a real game. The cut scenes sometimes drag on for nearly 10 minutes at
a time. You can speed things up if you want but it only seems to cut the time
down by half at most. Luminous Arc 2 does have a good story but I just think it
drags on sometimes, especially when the dialogue changes to pointless
relationship/bull shit that deals with nothing at all.
Don’t let the number two on this game fool you. Luminous Arc 2 is not a direct
sequel to the first game in the series. This time around the story deals with
Roland, a knight in training who finds out about the hidden Runic Knights powers
through some strange situations. The rest of the story is best to be read and
heard.
 You will find some similarities to the two games at points. The two stories
share certain bonds. This is a problem developer’s face when they make
non-sequel games, they tend to take the best parts from the other game and spice
them up for the second-go. You will at least see some of your favorite
characters from the first one in here but don’t get too excited. The only real
character that plays a big role from the first game is the Frost Witch and let
me tell you she might want to change her career if that is what she always
wears.
My biggest problem with Luminous Arc 2 has to be the leveling up system. Trying
to earn levels in the second game can be a real chore. Attacking enemies is not
enough to earn any sort of experience. You’ll earn any where from two to ten
experience points per hit, mainly in the two to three range really. If you can
manage to kill an enemy you will earn your most experience. Low level characters
will have to run in and attack enemies at the last minute to earn levels. This
aspect does help out the overall time you put into the game, but it is real
annoying.
Atlus packaged a music disc with Luminous Arc 2. This special bonus is real nice
and the price wasn’t raised because of this. It may not be a full length album,
but it does included most of the best tracks from the game. Luminous Arc 2 has
some of the best music I have heard in a strategy role playing game. This disc
will surely be played over a dozen times.
Final Verdict
It may be hard to pick out the best RPG on the Nintendo DS because they have so
many. Luminous Arc 2 is one of the best Nintendo’s portable has to offer. Atlus
has done it again by releasing another top notch game. If you own a DS then you
better pick up this game right away.
Rating
9 out of 10
Luminous Arc 2 Trailer
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