Luminous Arc (video game)

Did You Know?

• The game was developed by Marvelous Interactive and rookie development studio Imageepoch.
• Luminous Arc 3: Eyes was released on December 10, 2009 in Japan.

Gameplay

In Luminous Arc, battles play out on an isometric grid. The top screen shows unit stats, while the lower screen handles movement and attacks. Players can choose between left- or right-handed touch controls or the D-pad. A key feature is the Flash Drive Gauge: each action a character takes fills their Flash Meter, and spending these Flash Points unleashes powerful Flash Drives that can also inflict status ailments on foes. Some enemies have this ability too. Unlike normal skills, which can accidentally hit allies or heal enemies, Flash Drives always land on their intended target—a healing Flash Drive, for instance, will never restore an opponent’s HP. Characters learn Flash Drives by leveling up, and some are unlocked as the story unfolds. Synergy attacks are combination moves that require all participating characters to have full Flash Points and be near each other; these are only available after completing story arcs focused on character bonding. Between battles, players can watch short scenes with the mascot Kopin and intermission sequences that flesh out the party members. The game also includes a multiplayer battle mode.

Plot

Luminous Arc takes place in the world of Shtraberl, a medieval-like era where the Luminous Church rules as the only form of government, worshipping their God Zehaal. According to the Church's scriptures, the Book of Mena, thousands of years ago Witches and Dragons fought for supremacy, causing a disaster called Aldheld that left the world barren and dark. The saints prayed, and Zehaal replied with the Advent, defeating both Dragons and Witches, cleansing the world, naming it Shtraberl, and blessing it before falling into a deep slumber. The saints then created the Luminous Church. The game begins with the Garden Children, an elite force raised by the Church, who are called to a town for their first orders: to hunt Witches spotted in Canal. As they progress, the Garden Children learn the Witches are not evil as taught, and discover that Zehaal is trying to resurrect himself to consume the world. Joining forces with the witches, they fight past members of the Luminous Church and vassals of Zehaal. Near the end, the group goes through a portal to the world's center to confront Zehaal. They battle Zehaal and his true form, the Wings of Doom. After injuring the Wings of Doom, it retreats; Lucia the Dawn witch uses a powerful self-destructive magic to finish it, and Alph stays with her to ensure she does not die. Together they defeat Zehaal. In the aftermath, Canal is restored to peace, a stable government forms, and Witches are accepted as heroes.

Reception

Luminous Arc received average reviews according to Metacritic. Honest Gamers stated that the game's refusal to take itself seriously made it fun. 1Up.com rated it average, calling it a Final Fantasy Tactics Advance clone due to similar gameplay and feel, and noted the game's biggest attraction was its wireless multiplayer, either locally or online. GamePro described it as decent but not the grand strategy RPG experience many awaited. Famitsu gave it a score of 28 out of 40. The game sold 25,676 units during its debut week in Japan.