Arc the Lad III. The trilogy-closer that feels more like a casual Sunday stroll in a park overgrown with weeds than an epic conclusion to a story of great disasters and bandit battles. If you're looking for a revolutionary experience that'll thrust you into the annals of gaming history, best look elsewhere. It’s like going to a fancy restaurant and discovering the chef only knows how to microwave. But hey, let’s dive in!
The gameplay of Arc the Lad III ditches the tactical thrills of its predecessors and decides to take something resembling a more casual approach, making it more similar to - drumroll - Final Fantasy. The party's been slashed from a beefy five to a breezy four. Plus, if you like card games, you might clash with excitement over the new card-based summoning system, which seems to scream: 'We give up!' Oh, the characters also shout witty one-liners that are definitely straight out of a middle school drama club.
For a game that made its debut way back in 1999, we can give it some leeway. The graphics are like a high school reunion. Some parts look decent and you can still recognize the characters, but the years have not been kind to them. Everything gives off that nostalgic vibe, but nostalgia can only carry you so far. It’s like when you see an old photo and think, 'Oh wow, I used to look so fresh!' While you currently look like a potato in sweatpants.
In conclusion, Arc the Lad III is a mixed bag of whimsical characters, a story that’s a tad too convoluted for its own good, and gameplay that wanders perilously close to 'meh.' It’s not the worst game you could play, but I'd recommend it only if you want to complete your collection or have a severe lack of RPG options. After all, at the end of the day, it’s still better than watching paint dry or staring at a wall. So grab those cards, gather your four homies, and start your not-so-legendary escapade! Just don’t say I didn’t warn you.