Wild Arms 2

aka: Wild Arms: 2nd Ignition
Moby ID: 5886
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Description official description

A soldier named Ashley Winchester witnesses a demon-summoning experiment, which turns his comrades into horrifying monsters. Having been forced to kill them, Ashley discovers that he had been tainted by a demonic essence as well. Looking for answers, he encounters a man who offers him to join ARMs, a team of fighters trying to overthrow a terrorist organization known as Odessa, whose goal is to conquer the world. Once there, Ashley meets Brad, a war veteran who has turned to criminal ways, and Lilka, a young girl training to become a Crest Sorceress. Aided by their new friends, the three heroes are determined to defeat Odessa and save the world.

Wild Arms 2 is not a direct sequel to the first Wild Arms, although it is set in the same fictional world Filgaia, which combines elements of Old West, steampunk, and fantasy. The turn-based combat system against randomly appearing enemies resembles that of the predecessor, featuring techniques unique to each character, as well as the Guardian system, which allows the characters to summon powerful creatures to assist them in battles. Three combatants can be used actively in battles; the player can also switch any of them with a reserve character, up to six altogether.

The puzzle-solving element is further emphasized in this sequel. Each character possesses three unique field abilities (called "Tools") in the game, which are used for accessing certain areas, discover secrets, and solve puzzles. These abilities range from jumping to hurling knives, pulling switches from afar, kicking large objects, and others. The game utilizes 3D graphics with limited camera rotation for both exploration and combat sequences.

Spellings

  • ワイルドアームズ セカンドイグニッション - Japanese spelling
  • 荒野兵器2 - Chinese spelling (simplified)

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Credits (PlayStation version)

210 People (150 developers, 60 thanks) · View all

Assistant Producer
Senior Producer
Product Marketing Manager
Product Marketing Specialist
Public Relations Manager
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QA Supervisors
Technical Coordinator
Senior Lead Analyst
Assistant Lead Analysts
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[ full credits ]

Reviews

Critics

Average score: 68% (based on 11 ratings)

Players

Average score: 3.6 out of 5 (based on 20 ratings with 1 reviews)

Not A Very Good Sequel

The Good
Wild Arms 2nd Ignition is not really a sequel at all. Like Final Fantasy games, it has nothing to do with the previous game. Which is lame, considering they could have made a better game if they had used Filgaia, the world of the first game.

In Wild Arms 2, you are Ashley, a young man, that like the hero of the original game can use ARMS. Which are ancient relics from a greater past civilization. (Phantasy Star IV any one?) In the beginning of the game like in WA1, you have to play the separate scenario of each of the three main PC’s. In addition to Ashley, there is Brad and ex-con with a heart of gold, and Lilka, the apprentice mage whom has a bit of a confidence problem.

Once Ashley and company join forces, they will have to stop a terrorist group from destroying the world. However as per many newer RPGS tend to do, there is a more sinister force at work here, more on this later.

While this game plays vaguely like the original, one would expect more from it’s sequel. The original Wild Arms is one of the Playstaion’s best RPGS. This poor attempt at a sequel is not, it is down with Legend of the Dragoon, as one of the weakest.

The setting is much more of a mix of fantasy and spaghetti western (You know like “A Fistful Of Dollars”.) than the original. An interesting idea, that could have been realized more.

In battle, you can attack, defend, run, use ARMS, and magic. Guardians return in WA2. And they let your party use magic, and can be summoned in battle.(Yes Guardians were in the first game, out dating FFVIII, by about 4 years.) These creatures are often gained by defeating them in battle, some of the hardest battles are the optional ones with these tough bastards.

The Graphics are pretty good. The inhabitants of the world are spite based, and more detailed than in the original. Towns have unique designs, like the magic village. While the world map is 3D, and looks pretty good all things considered. In battle your party is fully 3D, and much better looking than those in the original game. Unfortunately graphics do not make the game.

The music is weaker than that found in WA1. But it is still decent. I mean you may not want to buy the soundtrack but you also won’t need to turn down the volume. Sound effects do not stand out, but they hardly ever do in RPGS.

The Bad
Back to the plot. Well it starts off well enough. Terrorists trying to take over the world is not often used in RPGS. Towards the end however you find that they are not the main threat. And this is were the plot fails. It goes from original to trite by the end. Furthermore the plot of the terrorists does not make any sense once you know the plot twist.

There is also a plot line of Ashley talking to a hero a yore. A woman that once saved the world. As it turns out she is a whiny little bitch. And quickly gets annoying. What kind of hero whines that they could not have a normal life? (Maybe Anakin Skywalker.) They got to travel the world, and fight for it yet they want the 24 hour shtick like all the other rubes.

The game is too long. About 60 hours. This would not be so bad if not for the fact that the last 20 hours or so are not very good.

I hate the search for the town/dungeon thing. It is a waste of time, and is idiotic. How could you not see a freaking village that was right in front of you? I could see if the world was supposed to be mainly unexplored like in FFIX, or Skies Of Arcadia, but it is not, and those aforementioned games did not pull this.

The Bottom Line
I can not recommend this game. You would be better playing any of the PS’s better RPGS. Like Lunar 1& 2, The Suikoden series, Vandal Hearts, or Xenogears. Or simply play the original Wild Arms again…I think I will do just that.

PlayStation · by MasterMegid (723) · 2006

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Contributors to this Entry

Game added by Unicorn Lynx.

PS Vita added by Charly2.0. PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5 added by Kam1Kaz3NL77. PSP, PlayStation 3 added by Foxhack.

Additional contributors: DreinIX.

Game added March 13, 2002. Last modified February 20, 2024.