The very first WA title from PS1 is still my favorite Wild ARMs. :D
(This game later had a PS2 remake known as Wild Arms Alter Code:F [Google Image search for it], which made some supporting characters now potential party members aside from your 3 main characters from the original. Story remained essentially the same, though they extended/added some scenes and dialogue.)
Series also has a mobile game (crossing over characters from all the titles) coming out in Japan tomorrow.
WHAT MAKES IT GREAT:
Dude, the world of this game is like, the Wild West meets magic meets sci-fi. (And you're probably thinking of Trigun a bit here, and that's a great anime series too! But right now let's focus on Wild ARMs, ok? XD)
There's of course, cowboy-looking characters with guns, swordsmen in trench coats, and magic girls, and anyone who makes a connection with the Guardians can summon them (the world has these spirits called Guardians that represent either an element like Fire or Ice or a concept like Time or Luck -- some of the very highest represent things like Love, Courage, and Hope).
There's also golems, Metal Demons (the invading aliens trying to take the planet Filgaia from the humans, and whose previous war left the planet like a desert), elf-like peoples known as Elw, and cyborg-like beings. :D
Anyway, the story starts with the resurgence of the Metal Demons, after they had been beaten back for about a thousand years by the humans and Elw.
You play 3 characters in WA1 (and 3 more in AC:F that were already great as simply supporting cast prior to the remake) that are strongly tied to the conflict at hand and become closer to each other from the struggle: The swordsman, Jack Van Burace; the magician princess, Cecilia; and the quiet gunner youth, Rudy.
They also have a cute mascot in the form of a Wind Mouse named Hanpan.
Anyway, their voyage has them trying to head off the Metal Demons from resurrecting their Mother, who they believe will conquer Filgaia for her children.
But of course, there's always a bit more to the story than that...
Anyway, some of what's great about WA1 is also the dynamic characters, who all have some pretty fleshed-out stories, both on their personal fronts and on their overall battle to save Filgaia. Their supporting cast members are also really great: Clamity Jane, for example. Or one of the goofiest yet funnest would-be bad guys ever, Zed. :D
Like in Arc, you'll find yourself both smiling and being torn at moments in this game, as each of the main character stories has a sadder side to it which they need to overcome.
And OMG, THE MUSIC IN THIS GAME. Michiko Naruke is a GENIUS.
Needless to say, this is another of my favorite games. The other titles in the series are overall very strong too (WA3 and WA2 come to mind), but the original continues to harbor a certain soft spot in my heart over the rest. It's probably Jack's fault. Or Zed's. XD
(Oh, and in the case of character ships, I would say Rudy goes well with just about anyone. He's too cute. XD)
WHERE CAN I FIND IT?
Again, this is a PS1 game, so:
-- On physical disc, this is actually much more affordable to find than Arc.
-- It's on the PSN under the PS1 Classics line (again, US store link, check your region, it's available in a lot of them) for your PS3/Vita/PSP for like $6. (So is WA2, and WA3 is available for PS4, and XF [the strategy game] is around for PSP/Vita.)
-- Again, emu if you have the knowledge.
As for videos, you're in luck with this one, I found a silent longplay for this title that covers the whole thing (with most of the level grinding cut out). It even has the amazing opening song (Animated by Madhouse!) and opening prologue that play before you choose to hit Start!
Wild ARMs 1
FANDOM NAME: Wild ARMs
(Google Image search for WA 1)
The very first WA title from PS1 is still my favorite Wild ARMs. :D
(This game later had a PS2 remake known as Wild Arms Alter Code:F [Google Image search for it], which made some supporting characters now potential party members aside from your 3 main characters from the original. Story remained essentially the same, though they extended/added some scenes and dialogue.)
Series also has a mobile game (crossing over characters from all the titles) coming out in Japan tomorrow.
WHAT MAKES IT GREAT:
Dude, the world of this game is like, the Wild West meets magic meets sci-fi. (And you're probably thinking of Trigun a bit here, and that's a great anime series too! But right now let's focus on Wild ARMs, ok? XD)
There's of course, cowboy-looking characters with guns, swordsmen in trench coats, and magic girls, and anyone who makes a connection with the Guardians can summon them (the world has these spirits called Guardians that represent either an element like Fire or Ice or a concept like Time or Luck -- some of the very highest represent things like Love, Courage, and Hope).
There's also golems, Metal Demons (the invading aliens trying to take the planet Filgaia from the humans, and whose previous war left the planet like a desert), elf-like peoples known as Elw, and cyborg-like beings. :D
Anyway, the story starts with the resurgence of the Metal Demons, after they had been beaten back for about a thousand years by the humans and Elw.
You play 3 characters in WA1 (and 3 more in AC:F that were already great as simply supporting cast prior to the remake) that are strongly tied to the conflict at hand and become closer to each other from the struggle: The swordsman, Jack Van Burace; the magician princess, Cecilia; and the quiet gunner youth, Rudy.
They also have a cute mascot in the form of a Wind Mouse named Hanpan.
Anyway, their voyage has them trying to head off the Metal Demons from resurrecting their Mother, who they believe will conquer Filgaia for her children.
But of course, there's always a bit more to the story than that...
Anyway, some of what's great about WA1 is also the dynamic characters, who all have some pretty fleshed-out stories, both on their personal fronts and on their overall battle to save Filgaia. Their supporting cast members are also really great: Clamity Jane, for example. Or one of the goofiest yet funnest would-be bad guys ever, Zed. :D
Like in Arc, you'll find yourself both smiling and being torn at moments in this game, as each of the main character stories has a sadder side to it which they need to overcome.
And OMG, THE MUSIC IN THIS GAME. Michiko Naruke is a GENIUS.
Needless to say, this is another of my favorite games. The other titles in the series are overall very strong too (WA3 and WA2 come to mind), but the original continues to harbor a certain soft spot in my heart over the rest.
It's probably Jack's fault. Or Zed's. XD(Oh, and in the case of character ships, I would say Rudy goes well with just about anyone. He's too cute. XD)
WHERE CAN I FIND IT?
Again, this is a PS1 game, so:
-- On physical disc, this is actually much more affordable to find than Arc.
-- It's on the PSN under the PS1 Classics line (again, US store link, check your region, it's available in a lot of them) for your PS3/Vita/PSP for like $6. (So is WA2, and WA3 is available for PS4, and XF [the strategy game] is around for PSP/Vita.)
-- Again, emu if you have the knowledge.
As for videos, you're in luck with this one, I found a silent longplay for this title that covers the whole thing (with most of the level grinding cut out). It even has the amazing opening song (Animated by Madhouse!) and opening prologue that play before you choose to hit Start!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qzbGDnQOKhQ - Part 1
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CkBqDoLvyxE - Part 2
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bKFCdfEOB44 - Part 3
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DcMzsEWWnno - Part 4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4PcOqd923ps - Part 5
Hopefully these will also gain your interest in this fun game! :D