Enchanted Arms First Impressions

[Pharaoh]

You gotta touch the console behind the Ether Cube to turn on the power. Then you can head down and get Raigers Poison Blade skill.

[Misguided]

You gotta touch the console behind the Ether Cube to turn on the power. Then you can head down and get Raigers Poison Blade skill.

D'oh! Oh well, I've made it this long without it.

[Destructor]

You gotta touch the console behind the Ether Cube to turn on the power. Then you can head down and get Raigers Poison Blade skill.

D'oh! Oh well, I've made it this long without it.

I'm past that point, and I didn't even realize I missed it in the first place. Doh!

[disarm]

You gotta touch the console behind the Ether Cube to turn on the power. Then you can head down and get Raigers Poison Blade skill.

D'oh! Oh well, I've made it this long without it.

I'm past that point, and I didn't even realize I missed it in the first place. Doh!

i haven't been able to play for a couple days and can't remember if i made it down there or not...don't recall any places i found that i couldn't reach, but i may have missed it entirely.  i guess i'll have to check and see if i have that skill for Raigar...

[Pharaoh]

Honestly, you guys probally wont even miss it. Raigers middle game is defined by this triangle based Earth attacks, and the Poison Blade doesn't do enough damage really to be worth it other than for completions sake.

[Destructor]

Honestly, you guys probally wont even miss it. Raigers middle game is defined by this triangle based Earth attacks, and the Poison Blade doesn't do enough damage really to be worth it other than for completions sake.

I agree there - his triangle Earth strikes (both near melee and ranged) are very useful skills.

[Misguided]

Yeah, I know....I've upgraded to the Mega version of the blade attack anyway, which i use a fair bit.

[Turtle]

Perhaps it's not so much that Enchant Arms is a poor RPG, but how much reviewers had previously reviewed the same old RPG with a few new trappings as some brand new amazing thing.

Then, Enchant Arms comes along, doing basically the same thing, but being the first next gen console RPG, people were expecting more.  Better graphics, especially character animation (I mean come on, if you cut out of the game to put up crappy puppets of characters to emote on screen when they talk, at least make them well animated), better story and characters, and a revolutionary battle system.  It didn't deliver this and thus people were disapointed.

[Arkon]

Ok, been playing this at my brothers since I have no 360 and I am stuck.

Spoiler for Hiden:

I am in the abandoned mines heading for the resistance hideout.  I came to a spot where I had to seitch the tracks, but there is no cart, and switching the tracks doesn't bring the cart back??  Any help

[Pharaoh]

When you get to the part with switching tracks, you should be able to find a cart just a few feet away that would normally take you back to the beginning of the mine, but will now instead take you to the boss. Im not sure you can actually run there without using the carts.

[Misguided]

Ok, been playing this at my brothers since I have no 360 and I am stuck.

Spoiler for Hiden:

I am in the abandoned mines heading for the resistance hideout.  I came to a spot where I had to seitch the tracks, but there is no cart, and switching the tracks doesn't bring the cart back??  Any help

Spoiler for Hiden:

IIRC you might have had to run to another cart and ride it back to that point, then switch the track

[Arkon]

hrmmm.

Spoiler for Hiden:

I can see the cart that is on the switched track, it is accross the way on a small platform with a ladder, but I can not get to it to ride it back to then switch the track.  It is just really odd.  I have ridden every other cart I can get to.  When you come in there is the first cart where they give you the primer on how to ride them...At the end of this first ride is where there is the switch and Karin notes that the tracks have been switched so someone came in before you.  However before getting to that spot I originally headed the other way, enountered Yuki and explored all the places I could there with no luck.  Hopefully I didn't bug it by seeing Yuki first.

[Destructor]

Spoiler for Hiden:

There's a cart that takes you about 30 feet away from the cart you can't get to (but one 'level' lower). Use that cart to get there, and then you'll see a ladder to take you up to the cart you're trying to get to (the ladder is pretty much right near the cart). The ladder does not show up easily, which explains why you haven't seen it yet.

[Fellow]

Aaaand thanks to this thread, the game was purchased. Original plan was to wait 'till it's $30. You guys suck huge amounts of sweaty hairy drooping donkey balls.

[disarm]

Perhaps it's not so much that Enchant Arms is a poor RPG, but how much reviewers had previously reviewed the same old RPG with a few new trappings as some brand new amazing thing.

Then, Enchant Arms comes along, doing basically the same thing, but being the first next gen console RPG, people were expecting more.  Better graphics, especially character animation (I mean come on, if you cut out of the game to put up crappy puppets of characters to emote on screen when they talk, at least make them well animated), better story and characters, and a revolutionary battle system.  It didn't deliver this and thus people were disapointed.

i read a few reviews before playing the game and rented it on a whim, not really expecting much...as i've said before, i was very pleasantly surprised with how good of a game EA has really turned out to be.  out of curiosity, i've gone back and read some of the reviews again, as well as a few new ones that have come along over the last week.  knowing as much as i do about the game now, it's become increasingly apparent to me that many reviewers really didn't get far into the game before writing their reviews.  a lot of the problems and complaints are things that improve dramatically as the game progresses...they just didn't play long enough to find that out.  i'm definitely glad i didn't pay attention to the reviewers and tried out the game for myself this time.  i rented the game for a week, played it for about 25 hours over the three-day weekend, and i just bought the game friday afternoon so that i could finish and see how it all ends.  the game is well worth the price in my opinion.

[depward]

Aaaand thanks to this thread, the game was purchased. Original plan was to wait 'till it's $30. You guys suck huge amounts of sweaty hairy drooping donkey balls.

That's, wow Fellow . . . wow.

The last two days I've plugged about 8 hours.  Loving the game - fantastic stuff.  And I'm at the 20 hour mark with 46% complete, woot!

[Misguided]

I've got an extra day off, so I should get some solid play time in this week, even with Mario Hoops and Lego Star Wars coming out.

[USMC Kato]

Finished the game today.  My final playtime was at 39 hours however, I did skip a few things that would've put me past the 42+ hour mark.  All in all, a solid rpg experience for me and no regrets at all buying this game.  So whats the next XBOX 360 rpg to come out? Blue Dragon?

[Misguided]

Finished the game today.  My final playtime was at 39 hours however, I did skip a few things that would've put me past the 42+ hour mark.  All in all, a solid rpg experience for me and no regrets at all buying this game.  So whats the next XBOX 360 rpg to come out? Blue Dragon?

I don't know why I'm so much slower than you guys.

At any rate, Blue Dragon is due out in Japan this year, but there's no US release date yet. Heading into next year, there's Mass Effect, Bioshock, Lost Odyssey, etc.

[Arkon]

Spoiler for Hiden:

There's a cart that takes you about 30 feet away from the cart you can't get to (but one 'level' lower). Use that cart to get there, and then you'll see a ladder to take you up to the cart you're trying to get to (the ladder is pretty much right near the cart). The ladder does not show up easily, which explains why you haven't seen it yet.

thanks!

I found it, the ladder was basically invisible until I was right up on it, odd.

[Soulchilde]

The Emp. of Fire is kicking my ass.   I know not to attack while my Magicore is lit, but I can't seem to do enough damage to him.   Help

[Misguided]

The Emp. of Fire is kicking my ass.   I know not to attack while my Magicore is lit, but I can't seem to do enough damage to him.   Help

I managed to beat him with three in my party (barely...but I think you should be able to add a 4th to your party before the fight if you need to).

Some suggestions that may help:

Since you can't attack with the light on, use that time to prepare. You should have self-parameter-buffs for Raigar (I used the non-EX one but if your bar is at max, you might use the other) and Atsuma. Use them in the first round. If you're using Yuki or another character with low hp, try and keep them out of harms way. I moved her into a back corner and the Emperor didn't go after her there...maybe I got lucky.

By the time you can attack, you should be able to use a combo. With combo attacks, use your smallest attacks first, since the damage bonus will increase with each attack. Atsuma's bead flare EX attack does hefty damage, even with the penalty for using it against a fire opponent.

About that light:

Spoiler for Hiden:

Note that you CAN do some damage to the Emperor even with the light up without harming Karin...I can't tell you how much, but I was forced to take him out while the light was up or be wiped, and nothing bad happened, short of a warning.

Can you one-shot the Emperor?

Spoiler for Hiden:

I didn't do this, but if you really want to give the emperor a sound thrashing, drop a golem in your party with a reverse sonic attack (I think Angelina does). Use that on them in the opening round before you launch your offensive. This should (not sure it'll work on a boss like this) change the Emperor's attribute to water, meaning that Atsuma's bead flare EX attack will do over 2000 damage BEFORE taking the combo into account (so IIRC this attack should be able to one shot the emperor if the reverse sonic works)

[depward]

The Emp. of Fire is kicking my ass.   I know not to attack while my Magicore is lit, but I can't seem to do enough damage to him.   Help

I had a hell of a time with him.  Basically, had Atsuma, Raigar, Karin and the Mermaid.  Karin got wiped out relatively early.  It helped (for me at least) to position Atsuma to his fire-based attack opposed to his other.  My thought was that the A.I. would think about either attacking:

a) Atsuma and Raigar as fire-based, as to not inflict so much damage
b) Mermaid with a non-elemental attack and not outright kill her

Doing this and replaying it about 4 times helped me win   

[pingwrx]

I just picked this up tonight damn forum effect.

[Arkon]

Loving this game, wish I could play it on my own 360.  Damn MS!

Anyway, I see why everyone likes the Mage Guardian.  Veryy impressive, as is Marlin Glave (think that is his name).  Lord Onyx is decent as well.  I love the variety in the golems, although the size 4 ones are surely useless.

[Misguided]

Veryy impressive, as is Marlin Glave (think that is his name). 

Is that one picked up during the tutorial? I never got it and at the beginning I didn't recognize the fights that would yield cores.

As for the size 4 golems, I've busted out Sasquatch a couple of times for his parameter buff.

[Arkon]

Veryy impressive, as is Marlin Glave (think that is his name). 

Is that one picked up during the tutorial? I never got it and at the beginning I didn't recognize the fights that would yield cores.

As for the size 4 golems, I've busted out Sasquatch a couple of times for his parameter buff.

Nah, he is purchased with chips in the casino early on.  He costs alot so took me a while to get him by doing golem battles, and buying chips.  I was lvl 13 or so when I got him I think, he was lvl 32.  Water based with some nice abilities.  He replaced Lord Onyx.  I have thought about trying to build up Primrose, but she is just so weak to start.  Might use the psycho NB destroyer, but he annoys me incredibly so.

[Ridah]

I'm about 15% into the game so far, still enjoying it but not as much as the first bit when I had Toya and Makoto with me. Karin and Raiger just aren't interesting in the least bit, and it gets annoying having Karin bitching at you with her high-pitched voice so often. I don't see how people can knock these graphics as not being truly next-gen though, the PS2 and Xbox don't come close to pulling these visuals off.

One question though, is anyone noticing some major tearing (i.e no Vsync) in the graphics?

[faide]

I just picked this up tonight damn forum effect.

Forum effect got me too.  About 5 hours in and loving it so far.  Thanks for the heads up on this game everyone!

[skystride]

I just picked this up tonight damn forum effect.

Forum effect got me too.  About 5 hours in and loving it so far.  Thanks for the heads up on this game everyone!

Usually forum effect picks out the real gems amongst the many games with inflated high review scores.  In this case the reviews just completely missed the mark.  I picked it up on Friday and I'm hooked; thanks guys!

[Sparhawk]

I'm about 15% into the game so far, still enjoying it but not as much as the first bit when I had Toya and Makoto with me. Karin and Raiger just aren't interesting in the least bit, and it gets annoying having Karin bitching at you with her high-pitched voice so often. I don't see how people can knock these graphics as not being truly next-gen though, the PS2 and Xbox don't come close to pulling these visuals off.

One question though, is anyone noticing some major tearing (i.e no Vsync) in the graphics?

Karin and Raigar have a very interesting story to tell, just you wait. 

[Misguided]

I'm about 15% into the game so far, still enjoying it but not as much as the first bit when I had Toya and Makoto with me. Karin and Raiger just aren't interesting in the least bit, and it gets annoying having Karin bitching at you with her high-pitched voice so often. I don't see how people can knock these graphics as not being truly next-gen though, the PS2 and Xbox don't come close to pulling these visuals off.

One question though, is anyone noticing some major tearing (i.e no Vsync) in the graphics?

Karin and Raigar have a very interesting story to tell, just you wait. 

No vsync issues here...are you playing on an LCD? If you're using 1080i try 720p instead.

[DamageInc]

This may sound like a dumb question but does the ranged attribute affect anything other than ranged attacks?
For instance, does it add benefit to melee strikes that span multiple squares on the grid?

I am 24% finished and I really like this game so far. My favorite golem so far is the Mage Guardian.

[Arkon]

This may sound like a dumb question but does the ranged attribute affect anything other than ranged attacks?
For instance, does it add benefit to melee strikes that span multiple squares on the grid?

I am 24% finished and I really like this game so far. My favorite golem so far is the Mage Guardian.

I believe it only affects attacks classified as ranged.

Mage Guardian does rock that is sure.  I really like Lord Onyx, Marlin Glaive, Blood Fencer and the Assassin guy as well.

[Destructor]

This may sound like a dumb question but does the ranged attribute affect anything other than ranged attacks?
For instance, does it add benefit to melee strikes that span multiple squares on the grid?

I am 24% finished and I really like this game so far. My favorite golem so far is the Mage Guardian.

I believe it only affects attacks classified as ranged.

That is correct. The Ranged stat only modifies the damage that Ranged attacks do. Same with Direct and Support. So make sure you don't put points into skills your characters don't use.

However, some characters have only one power that uses a stat. The hero for example - his first EX power uses Ranged, while none of his other attacks do.

[Misguided]

Flippin out like ninjas

Spoiler for Hiden:

This power the ninjas have that they get to use even when they get taken down is kicking my butt. Is there any way to prevent them from using it?

[Sparhawk]

Flippin out like ninjas

Spoiler for Hiden:

This power the ninjas have that they get to use even when they get taken down is kicking my butt. Is there any way to prevent them from using it?

Spoiler for Hiden:

An OverbreakUPPER might work.

[DamageInc]

Spoiler for Hiden:

There is a water temple that you pass by when you go through the Abandon Mines, but is stated that the enemies were very powerful so I did not venture in. Is there a particular time you go in there via the game or is this free form?

Spoiler for Hiden:

I passed by a golem early in the game along the river bank (near fire temple entrance) that asked for a God weapon. Is this dealt with later in the game?

Thanks in advance for any replies

[rrmorton]

I'm a very casual console RPG fan (I've played maybe 12 or 15 of them and finished only one, Suikoden III) but I'm glad I picked this up and stuck with it through the early going. Last night I got to the end of the first act and things have really picked up steam. The characters and dialogue are pretty bad but I like the next-gen graphics and combat mechanics and the bizarre variety of golems and monsters to fight.

One thing I could have done without is all the "tutorials" where Toya explains to Atsuma how to do stuff like climb ladders or open chests or press switches. It's always the same (press A) but they have to have a back and forth each time that lasts like 8 or 10 lines of dialogue. "Do you need me to explain that again?" 

I'm looking forward to dividing my time between Enchanted Arms and Company of Heroes this weekend. Should be a fun double feature. Thanks, GT forum effect!

[Destructor]

Spoiler for Hiden:

There is a water temple that you pass by when you go through the Abandon Mines, but is stated that the enemies were very powerful so I did not venture in. Is there a particular time you go in there via the game or is this free form?

Spoiler for Hiden:

I passed by a golem early in the game along the river bank (near fire temple entrance) that asked for a God weapon. Is this dealt with later in the game?

Thanks in advance for any replies

Spoiler for Hiden:

You visit there later in the story. You can wander on in whenever you want, but odds are you'll get creamed. And your second question is also answered later in the game. Don't worry, you'll be back.