Arcana

"A unique RPG that has it's moments"

As with every RPG, Arcana brings a new fantasy based environment to the player. With it, come some very unique new twists that were yet to be seen in an RPG game.

This RPG is unique in that it has a variety in use of cards. The players are cards, your summons are cards, and you can get card that take the place of magic. It's just appealing to the average RP gamer because it had not been done in a game before.

Gameplay : 8

Along with the other RPG's on the market, this can compete, but not as well with some of the higher class games such as Final Fantasy or Suikoden. In it's own way, the game play is much like that of any other RPG. You fight, gain EXP, level, get equipment and fight some more.
There's just the way the battles are set in this game that lures you into it and makes you want to play more and more. The battle system is easy to understand, it's just the same as any other RPG except that the monsters are cards instead of actual enemies.

Sound : 9

I found the music in this game to be very mood setting for the dungeons and towns that you encounter. The dungeons have a rather dark, gloomy mood to them, while the towns have a sort of up-beat tempo to them. It's just like any other game, the music makes the setting and they tried hard to achieve, and achieve they did.

Graphics : 7

The graphics aren't the best for any game that can be put on the market, but they are, without a doubt, a better set of graphics set for the SNES console. Everything may be made up in cards, but the towns and dungeons have a smooth looking texture and are detailed as much as they can be for a SNES game.

Replay Ability : 7

While the game is good at first, you may start to lose interest when you're on the verge of the final battle. I still play it, but not as often as I would like. If you are into this sort of game, then you would most likely play it more after you have completed and mastered it hundreds of times over.

Rent or Buy : As with any game, I would recommend that you rent first. The reason being is that even though it's a RPG, it doesn't mean that you will like the way that Arcana is set up. I suggest renting it and playing through it somewhat first, and then deciding for yourself if you'd like to add it to your gaming collection.

In closing, the game has a very unique playing atmosphere to it, and the story isn't the same based on saving the princess as in other RPG's.

Overall, I would give this game a 6/10 rating.

Reviewer's Score: 6/10, Originally Posted: 01/21/04