Enchanted Arms

"Gotta catch 'em all!...Golems that is."

Well, let me start out by saying I didn't even know anything about this game until a week before it came out. I hadn't kept up with the previews or anything, I bought it on a whim because it looked pretty cool. The Xbox 360 has really lacked a solid, Xbox 360 only RPG game. Oblivion came out on PC, so that doesn't count. This game, while not groundbreaking, it makes you think that the future is bright for RPGs on the 360. The idea of golems and the battle system are both solid and nothing quite like the two has been put together before. All in all, it's a pleasant and enjoyable experience, through and through.

Gameplay: 8/10
Like I said before, the combat system is unique and quite fun. Unlike most RPGs where you pick a skill and it hits or doesn't, this game has a grid-based attack system. You move your characters around to try and get them into range to attack the enemies. I haven't come across and attack missing yet...but the thing is each type of attack has only a bit of range, and only really special attacks can hit the entire enemy grid (you can't move to their side and they can't move to yours). The golem system, is kind of like Pokemon. These monsters work a bit like summons, but they aid you and attack the enemy as well from the start, as long as they're in your party. They come in all sorts of sizes and looks, skills and spells, so finding one that you like is all but guaranteed.

Graphics: 8/10
The graphics are solid, and that's about it. Nothing is really mindblowing (minus the cutscenes, of course). The attacks look good as well. But in other areas, like the background and the area around your character just look like they were slapped together. Though everything looks a lot more realistic when a cutscene rolls around.

Overall, Enchanted Arms is definitely worth a look. It caters to a specific audience, however, that being huge RPG fans. If you don't like the idea of leveling up and everything of that sort, stay clear. But if you want to go out and beat up on some minor baddies before graduating to using nukes and fighting huge dragons, give Enchanted Arms a look for your RPG fix.

Reviewer's Score: 8/10, Originally Posted: 09/06/06