Wild Arms 2

Plot

Wild Arms 2 takes place in Filgaia, a world blending science fiction, steampunk, and traditional fantasy elements like magic and demons. Firearms called ARMs represent advanced warfare technology, and similar tech creates cybernetic limbs and miniature robots; aircraft, motorized vehicles, and radio devices also appear, sometimes attributed to magic. The six playable heroes—Ashley Winchester, Lilka Eleniak, Brad Evans, Tim Rhymeless, Kanon, and Marivel Armitage—are summoned by a wealthy benefactor to stop the terrorist organization Odessa.

The player's team, Operation ARMS, is led by Ashley Winchester, aided by supporting characters including his girlfriend Marina. The conflict arises from opposing ideologies: Odessa seeks order through oppression and conformity, while ARMS views this as a sacrifice of freedom and a threat to global security. Marivel is a secret character unlocked at Crimson Castle; ARMS leader Irving Vold Valeria introduces her, and her true form appears at the Memory Maze, where the Sword Magess Anastasia reveals herself to Ashley.

One thousand years earlier, a demon called Lord Blazer caused the Blaze of Disaster. Many heroes failed to defeat him until a girl wielding the magic sword Argetlahm sealed him away by exchanging her life; she became known as the Sword Magess.

Reception

Wild Arms 2 received average reviews according to GameRankings. NextGen's Eric Bracher called it an adequate title with less to offer than competitors like Vagrant Story or Alundra 2. Famitsu gave it a score of 31 out of 40. GamePro's Four-Eyed Dragon noted it returns to classic role-playing style with story and character-building at the heart, offering nothing new but still worth playing. Another GamePro review by E. Coli described it as a good game whose lack of visual splendor hinders its standing among amazing RPGs, but recommended it for those seeking an engaging and challenging RPG.