Luminous Arc (video game)

Last updated

Luminous Arc
Luminous Arc Coverart.jpg
Developer(s) Imageepoch
Publisher(s)
Director(s) Ryoei Mikage
Masahiro Iwasa
Hikaru Nakano
Producer(s) Hideyuki Mizutani
Artist(s) Kaito Shibano
Writer(s) Maiko Shimura
Atsushi Komine
Composer(s) Akari Kaida
Kazumi Mitome
Shota Kageyama
Yasunori Mitsuda
Series Luminous Arc
Platform(s) Nintendo DS
Release
  • JP: February 8, 2007
  • NA: August 14, 2007
  • AU: October 18, 2007
  • EU: October 19, 2007
Genre(s) Tactical role-playing
Mode(s) Single-player, multiplayer

Luminous Arc [lower-alpha 1] is a tactical role-playing game developed by Imageepoch for the Nintendo DS, and the first in the Luminous Arc series. The game was released on February 8, 2007 in Japan, August 14, 2007 in North America, and October 18, 2007 in Australia by Atlus, [1] [2] and in Europe the following day by Rising Star Games.

Contents

The game features voiced scenes, character designs by Kaito Shibano and music by Akari Kaida, Yasunori Mitsuda, and Mitsuda's studio, Procyon. [3] Along with the main gameplay, there is an online multiplayer battle option.

The game has a sequel, Luminous Arc 2 , that was released in 2008. Luminous Arc 3: Eyes was released on December 10, 2009 in Japan. [4] The latest entry in the series, Luminous Arc Infinity , was released for the PlayStation Vita in Japan on August 6, 2015.

Gameplay

Luminous Arc is a tactical role-playing game and uses a battlefield grid viewed from an isometric perspective. [5] The top screen is used to display unit information while movement and attacks are determined on the lower screen. Left- and right-handed touch-screen controls and D-pad control schemes are available. One of the special traits is the Flash Drive Gauge, which, when filled, allows a character to use a special attack. Between battles, players can view short sequences featuring the game's mascot, Kopin, and intermission sequences that will allow the player to get to know the characters in the party better. The game also includes a multiplayer battle mode.

Special attacks

Each time a player character makes an action, his or her Flash Meter will increase. The player can then use Flash Points to perform powerful attacks, called Flash Drives that may also cause status ailments to enemies. Some enemies in Luminous Arc can also use Flash Drives.

It is important to note that, while normal attack skills can damage allies and healing skills can restore enemy HP, the effects of Flash Drives committed to their intended targets; for instance, it is impossible for a recovery Flash Drives to heal opponents. [6] Flash Drives can be learned via leveling up, but several are learned as the story progresses.

Synergy attacks are a combination attack that can be used when all characters involved have their Flash Points filled up and are close to each other. However, not all characters can perform Synergy attacks, as they are unlocked via story arcs that revolve around certain characters bonding. [6]

Intermissions

After each battle, the spoils of battle will be displayed on the screen, including gold, items, and Vitae. In addition, the player will be prompted to talk with one of the characters that took part in the battle. An Intermission scene occurs after the ensuing plot dialogue, in which the player can have a short conversation with the previously selected character. On the touch screen, a list of responses will appear with the chosen character's avatar on the top screen. If the choice was favorable, the main character, Alph, will develop a stronger bond with that character, which takes the form of evasion and hit rate bonuses if the two are placed next to each other in future battles. [7] If the character particularly likes the player's response, he or she may give Alph a useful item. However, the player is given a finite number of opportunities to talk to each character, after which it will be impossible to improve the bond. [8] If the player has made good choices throughout the various conversations with a character, there may be a special scene between Alph and that character featuring anime-style art and an additional voice-over. If you say the right thing, you could get an item from the person. As the bond between a character and Alph improve, the heart will continue to grow, and once the heart becomes blue, the character will no longer speak with Alph during Intermission.

There are also short cutscenes after every story battle featuring the game's mascot, Kopin. Though he claims that he will try to keep an eye on the characters and tell the story from his point of view, [9] the player actually learns more about Kopin's personality, philosophy, and possible love interests.

Vitae

Throughout the adventure, the player will obtain magical items called Vitae. According to the game's lore, Vitae obtain their magical properties from the ancient power of Rune, the same power used by the Witches to fuel their magic. [10] In order to make use of a piece of Vitae, it must first be appraised at the workshop in the Witch Village. Once this has been accomplished, the Vitae can be used to add elemental and status effects to weapons. [10] In addition, it is possible to ask other characters about what they know about Vitae. This will allow the player to learn the best combinations for developing items with different strengths.

Multiplayer battles

Using the Wi-Fi option, players can choose to either battle against an anonymous and random opponent, or against a player whose friend code has been registered. Items are won for each game played against a random opponent, with more being earned if the player is victorious. Players can also play locally via the DS' wireless connection.

Plot

Luminous Arc takes place in the world of Shtraberl. The land is in a medieval-like era, where the Luminous Church rules over the lands. The Luminous Church which worships their God Zehaal is the only form of government the land has.

According to the scriptures known as The Book of Mena of the Luminous Church, thousands of years ago Witches and Dragons fought all across the world to be the superior race. In the process: The air was stale, the earth barren. The seas raged and the sun vanished. The world fell into darkness. This disaster was known as Aldheld.

The scriptures go on to continue that the saints prayed upon the barren land and eventually the God Zehaal replied to their prayers in beginning the Advent. Zehaal then defeated both the Dragons and Witches and cleansed the world.

It was then that Zehaal supposedly blessed the world and named it Shtraberl. Afterwards he endowed the saints with knowledge and went into a deep slumber. The saints then went on to create the Luminous Church.

The actual game begins with the Garden Children, a group of people raised as an elite force for the Luminous Church. In the beginning of the game the Garden Children are called to a town to be given their first orders by the Church. They are ordered to hunt for Witches which have been spotted in Canal.

As the game progresses, the Garden Children discover that the Witches are not as evil as they had been taught. They then, through the witches discover that the God of the Luminous Church, Zehaal, is trying to resurrect himself to consume the world.

After joining forces, the garden Children and the witches fight past members of the Luminous Church as well as vassals of Zehaal. They spend the game fighting against the Luminous Church and their sinister attempts to defeat them. Near the end of the game the group goes through a portal to the world's center to confront Zehaal.

They then battle Zehaal and his true form, The Wings Of Doom. After injuring the Wings Of Doom he retreats to lick his wounds, and Lucia the Dawn witch decides to use a powerful yet self-destructive magic to finish him forever. Alph then stays with her to ensure she does not die in the attack, and together they defeat Zehaal once and for all.

In the aftermath of the final battle, Canal is restored to a peaceful state. A stable form of government is formed and the Witches are accepted into society as heroes rather than deviants.

Development

The game was developed by Marvelous Interactive and "rookie development studio" imageepoch. [3] The game's music was produced, mixed, and mastered by famed sound designer and composer Yasunori Mitsuda. He, along with Akari Kaida, Kazumi Mitome, and Shota Kageyama, composed the music for the game.

Reception

Luminous Arc received "average" reviews according to the review aggregation website Metacritic. [11] Honest Gamers said, "I realised that it was exactly because Luminous Arc refused to take itself seriously that it was so much fun." [22]

However, 1UP.com rated the game as "average", calling it a " Final Fantasy Tactics Advance clone" because of its similar gameplay and overall feel. While not impressed with the DS's touch screen capabilities used in the game, the editor wrote that "the game's biggest attraction, in theory, is wireless multiplayer, either locally or online". [23] GamePro said, "It's a decent enough game but it isn't the grand strategy RPG experience that we've all been waiting for." [16]

Japanese publication Famitsu gave the game a score of one eight, two sevens, and one six for a total of 28 out of 40. [14] Luminous Arc sold 25,676 copies during its debut week in Japan. [24]

Notes

  1. ↑ Japanese: ルミナスアーク, Hepburn: Ruminasu Āku

Related Research Articles

<i>Chrono Trigger</i> 1995 video game

Chrono Trigger is a 1995 role-playing video game developed and published by Square. It was originally released for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System as the first game in the Chrono series. The game's development team included three designers that Square dubbed the "Dream Team": Hironobu Sakaguchi, creator of Square's Final Fantasy series; Yuji Horii, creator of Enix's Dragon Quest series; and Akira Toriyama, character designer of Dragon Quest and author of the Dragon Ball manga series. In addition, Takashi Tokita co-directed the game and co-wrote the scenario, Kazuhiko Aoki produced the game, Masato Kato wrote most of the story, while composer Yasunori Mitsuda wrote most of the soundtrack before falling ill and deferring the remaining tracks to Final Fantasy series composer Nobuo Uematsu. The game's story follows a group of adventurers who travel through time to prevent a global catastrophe.

<i>Chrono Cross</i> 1999 video game

Chrono Cross is a 1999 role-playing video game developed and published by Square for the PlayStation video game console. It is set in the same world as Chrono Trigger, which was released in 1995 for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System. Chrono Cross was designed primarily by scenarist and director Masato Kato, who had help from other designers who also worked on Chrono Trigger, including art director Yasuyuki Honne and composer Yasunori Mitsuda. Nobuteru Yūki designed the characters of the game.

<i>Disgaea: Hour of Darkness</i> 2003 video game

Disgaea: Hour of Darkness is a tactical role-playing video game developed and published by Nippon Ichi Software for the Sony PlayStation 2 video game console.

<i>Riviera: The Promised Land</i> 2002 video game

Riviera: The Promised Land is a role-playing video game originally produced in 2002 by Sting Entertainment for WonderSwan Color as the first episode of the Dept. Heaven series of games. The game was later introduced to Nintendo's Game Boy Advance in 2004, which Atlus USA released in North America in 2005. An enhanced remake was released for the PlayStation Portable in November 2006, and was released in July 2007 in North America by Atlus USA. In July 2023, a HD remaster was announced.

<i>Bleach: The Blade of Fate</i> 2006 video game

Bleach: The Blade of Fate is a 2D fighting game that features the cast of characters from the Bleach anime and manga. The game featured Nintendo's Wi-Fi Connection, which allowed players to connect and play against players all over the world. The game modes include story mode, arcade mode, VS mode, training mode, challenge mode, and survival mode, time attack mode and Urahara shop. The game's theme song is "Ichirin no Hana" by High and Mighty Color.

<i>Rhapsody: A Musical Adventure</i> 1998 video game

Rhapsody: A Musical Adventure is a tactical role-playing video game developed and published by Nippon Ichi Software for the PlayStation. Released in 1998, it is the first installment in the Rhapsody series. A version for the Nintendo DS was released in Japan and North America in 2008, and in PAL regions in 2009. The game was released for Nintendo Switch as part of the Prinny Presents NIS Classics Volume 3 compilation in western regions, and for Windows as a standalone game worldwide in 2022. The game's story focuses on a young girl named Cornet as she seeks to rescue a prince after being turned to stone by a witch.

<i>Deep Labyrinth</i> 2004 video game

Deep Labyrinth is a 3D role-playing video game developed by Interactive Brains for mobile phone devices and the Nintendo DS handheld game system.

<i>Contact</i> (video game) 2006 video game

Contact is a role-playing video game developed by Grasshopper Manufacture for the Nintendo DS handheld game console. It was published by Marvelous Entertainment in Japan on March 30, 2006, by Atlus USA in North America on October 19, and by Rising Star Games in Australia, Asia and Europe on January 25, 2007 and February 2, respectively.

<i>Princess Crown</i> 1997 action role-playing game

Princess Crown is an action role-playing game developed and published by Atlus in collaboration with Sega that was released only in Japan. Originally released in 1997 for the Sega Saturn, it was ported to the PlayStation Portable in 2005. Using a two-dimensional side-scrolling perspective, gameplay focuses on a beat 'em up-style fighting system, incorporating role-playing elements. Set in the fantasy kingdom of Valendia, the player controls queen Gradriel De Valendia, as her wish to aid the people in person leads into a quest to prevent the resurrection of the demon lord Lalva. Additional character scenarios are unlocked by completing Gradriel's quest, with completion of all story routes leading to the true ending.

<i>The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe</i> (video game) 2005 video game

The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe is an action-adventure game released in 2005 by Traveller's Tales and Amaze Entertainment. The game is based on the novel-adapted movie of the same name. It was released in November before the movie for most major consoles including the GameCube, PC, Xbox, PlayStation 2, Nintendo DS, and Game Boy Advance. Also in 2005, a role-playing game, a strategy game and a chess game were released for wireless phone systems by Disney Mobile. A significant feature has William Moseley, Skandar Keynes, Anna Popplewell, Georgie Henley, Elizabeth Hawthorne, and Jim Broadbent reprising their roles from the film.

<i>Izuna: Legend of the Unemployed Ninja</i> 2006 video game

Izuna: Legend of the Unemployed Ninja, known in Japan as Gōma Reifu Den Izuna and in Europe as Izuna: The Legend of the Ninja, is a Nintendo DS dungeon crawler video game developed by Success and Ninja Studio and published by Atlus USA in the United States and by 505 Games in Europe. It was followed by a sequel, Izuna 2: The Unemployed Ninja Returns, in 2007.

<i>Hoshigami: Ruining Blue Earth Remix</i> 2007 video game

Hoshigami: Ruining Blue Earth Remix, also known as simply Hoshigami Remix, is a strategy RPG video game, for the Nintendo DS and is a remake of Hoshigami: Ruining Blue Earth for the Sony PlayStation. The game was developed by Arc System Works and was released in Japan in May 2007 by ASNetworks and in North America in June 2007 by Aksys Games. The developed programmer is Barnhouse Effect, and characters are designed by Arc System Works.

<i>Luminous Arc 2</i> 2008 video game

Luminous Arc 2 is a tactical role-playing game developed by Imageepoch for the Nintendo DS, and published by Marvelous Entertainment in Japan on May 15, 2008, and by Atlus USA and Rising Star Games in North America and Europe respectively. It is the second game in the Luminous Arc series.

<i>Rondo of Swords</i> 2007 video game

Rondo of Swords, known in Japan as Rondo of Deception, is a strategy role-playing video game developed by Success and published by Atlus for the Nintendo DS. The game was released in Japan on August 9, 2007, and in North America on April 15, 2008.

<i>Soma Bringer</i> 2008 video game

Soma Bringer is a 2008 action role-playing game developed by Monolith Soft and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo DS. The player, controlling one of the eight main characters, explores dungeons and fights enemies in real-time combat across three-dimensional plains from a top-down perspective. Multiplayer functions allow up to three players to participate in exploration and combat. The story takes place on the continent of Barnea, where its principle magical energy, Soma, is disrupted by the arrival of monsters called Visitors. This prompts a military group called Pharzuph Division 7 to defeat the Visitors and restore the balance of Soma.

<i>Summon Night: Twin Age</i> 2007 video game

Summon Night: Twin Age is an action role-playing game in the Summon Night series for the Nintendo DS. Summon Night uses a party based system of three characters at a time and a fully touch-based control system. The game was developed by Flight-Plan and published by Atlus. It was released in Japan on August 30, 2007 and in North America on June 3, 2008.

<i>Arc Rise Fantasia</i> 2009 video game

Arc Rise Fantasia is a 2009 role-playing video game co-developed by Imageepoch and Marvelous Entertainment for the Wii. It was published in Japan by Marvelous Entertainment in 2009 and in North America by Ignition Entertainment in 2010. A planned European release through Rising Star Games was cancelled. The storyline, set in a fantasy world split between hostile factions beset by attacks from destructive Feldragons, protagonist L'Arc Bright Lagoon allies with the priestess Ryfia after he is chosen as a Child of Easa who will remake the world. Gameplay features a growing party led by L'Arc navigating both an overworld and dungeon environments, taking part in turn-based battles.

<i>Radiant Historia</i> 2010 video game

Radiant Historia is a role-playing video game co-developed by Atlus and Headlock for the Nintendo DS. It was released in Japan in 2010 by Atlus, and in North America in 2011 by their subsidiary Atlus USA. An expanded remake for the Nintendo 3DS, titled Radiant Historia: Perfect Chronology, was released in 2017 in Japan and released in North America and Europe the following year, with the European version being published by Deep Silver.

<i>Luminous Arc</i> Tactical role-playing video game series

Luminous Arc is a series of tactical role-playing video games originally developed by Imageepoch, prior to the company's bankruptcy. The series began with the 2007 release of Luminous Arc for the Nintendo DS, with its most recent game being the 2015 Japan-only release of Luminous Arc Infinity. The series also saw a spiritual successor in the 2015 Nintendo 3DS game Stella Glow.

References

  1. ↑ Spencer (June 26, 2007). "Luminous Arc nabs a release date". Siliconera . Retrieved June 26, 2007.
  2. ↑ "Jack Frost's Atlus U.S.A. Newsletter Quarter 1 & 2 2007". Atlus. June 26, 2007. Archived from the original on September 26, 2007. Retrieved July 22, 2017.
  3. 1 2 "Luminous Arc (Interview)". Nintendo Power . Vol. 219. September 2007. pp. 74–76.
  4. ↑ Tanaka, John (August 5, 2009). "Luminous Arc 3 Announced". IGN . Retrieved July 22, 2017.
  5. ↑ Kemps, Heidi (June 7, 2007). "GameSpy: Luminous Arc (Preview)". GameSpy. Archived from the original on June 9, 2007. Retrieved July 22, 2017.
  6. 1 2 Atlus, ed. (2007). Luminous Arc North American Instruction Manual. Atlus. p. 25.
  7. ↑ Atlus, ed. (2007). Luminous Arc North American Instruction Manual. Atlus.
  8. ↑ Atlus, ed. (2007). Luminous Arc North American Instruction manual. Atlus. p. 32.
  9. ↑ Atlus, ed. (2007). Luminous Arc North American Instruction Manual. Atlus. p. 33.
  10. 1 2 Atlus, ed. (2007). Luminous Arc North American Instruction Manual. Atlus. pp. 34–35.
  11. 1 2 "Luminous Arc for DS Reviews". Metacritic . Retrieved July 23, 2017.
  12. ↑ EGM staff (September 2007). "Luminous Arc". Electronic Gaming Monthly . No. 219. p. 100.
  13. ↑ Lyon, James (October 23, 2007). "DS Roundup (Page 2)". Eurogamer . Retrieved July 23, 2017.
  14. 1 2 Fassino, Justin (January 31, 2007). "News – Latest Famitsu scores – Virtua Fighter 5, Luminous Arc and more". GamesAreFun. Archived from the original on June 12, 2011. Retrieved July 23, 2017.
  15. ↑ Biessener, Adam (September 2007). "Luminous Arc". Game Informer . No. 173. Archived from the original on December 27, 2008. Retrieved July 23, 2017.
  16. 1 2 ILikePie (August 14, 2007). "Review: Luminous Arc". GamePro . Archived from the original on February 4, 2008. Retrieved July 23, 2017.
  17. ↑ Massimilla, Bethany (August 24, 2007). "Luminous Arc Review". GameSpot . Retrieved July 23, 2017.
  18. ↑ Kemps, Heidi (September 11, 2007). "GameSpy: Luminous Arc (Review)". GameSpy. Archived from the original on September 15, 2007. Retrieved July 23, 2017.
  19. ↑ Platt, Dylan (September 6, 2007). "Luminous Arc - NDS - Review". GameZone. Archived from the original on September 29, 2008. Retrieved July 23, 2017.
  20. ↑ Bozon, Mark (August 15, 2007). "Luminous Arc Review". IGN. Retrieved July 23, 2017.
  21. ↑ "Luminous Arc (Review)". Nintendo Power. Vol. 219. September 2007. p. 86.
  22. ↑ Hartley, Gary (November 25, 2007). "Luminous Arc (DS) review". Honest Gamers. Retrieved July 23, 2017.
  23. ↑ "Luminous Arc DS Review Index, Luminous Arc Nintendo DS Reviews". Archived from the original on September 27, 2007. Retrieved August 20, 2008.
  24. ↑ Jenkins, David (February 16, 2007). "Virtua Fighter For PS3 Grabs Top Spot In Japanese Charts". Gamasutra . Retrieved April 15, 2009.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.