Luminous Arc

Luminous Arc
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, online multiplayer

Luminous Arc (ルミナスアーク, Ruminasu Āku) is a tactical role-playing game from Marvelous for the Nintendo DS. Luminous Arc was released on February 8, 2007 in Japan, August 14, 2007 in North America, and October 18, 2007 by Atlus,[1][2] and in Europe on the next day by Rising Star Games.

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] Another new title, Luminous Arc Infinity, was announced for PlayStation Vita.[5]

Gameplay

Luminous Arc is a tactical role-playing game and uses a battlefield grid viewed from an isometric perspective.[6] 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.[7] 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.[7]

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.[8] 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.[9] 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,[10] 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.[11] 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.[11] 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.

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

Reception
Aggregate score
AggregatorScore
Metacritic70/100[12]
Review scores
PublicationScore
EGM5.83/10[13]
Eurogamer6/10[14]
Famitsu28/40[15]
Game Informer6/10[16]
GamePro[17]
GameSpot7.5/10[18]
GameSpy[19]
GameZone7.6/10[20]
IGN7.5/10[21]
Nintendo Power8/10[22]

Luminous Arc received "average" reviews according to the review aggregation website Metacritic.[12] Honest Gamers said, "I realised that it was exactly because Luminous Arc refused to take itself seriously that it was so much fun."[23]

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".[24] GamePro said, "It's a decent enough game but it isn't the grand strategy RPG experience that we've all been waiting for."[17]

Japanese publication Famitsu gave the game a score of one eight, two sevens, and one six for a total of 28 out of 40.[15] Luminous Arc sold 25,676 copies during its debut week in Japan.[25]

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. ↑ Romano, Sal (September 1, 2014). "Luminous Arc Infinity announced for PS Vita". Gematsu.
  6. ↑ Kemps, Heidi (June 7, 2007). "GameSpy: Luminous Arc (Preview)". GameSpy. Archived from the original on June 9, 2007. Retrieved July 22, 2017.
  7. 1 2 Atlus, ed. (2007). Luminous Arc North American Instruction Manual. Atlus. p. 25.
  8. ↑ Atlus, ed. (2007). Luminous Arc North American Instruction Manual. Atlus.
  9. ↑ Atlus, ed. (2007). Luminous Arc North American Instruction manual. Atlus. p. 32.
  10. ↑ Atlus, ed. (2007). Luminous Arc North American Instruction Manual. Atlus. p. 33.
  11. 1 2 Atlus, ed. (2007). Luminous Arc North American Instruction Manual. Atlus. pp. 34–35.
  12. 1 2 "Luminous Arc for DS Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved July 23, 2017.
  13. ↑ EGM staff (September 2007). "Luminous Arc". Electronic Gaming Monthly. No. 219. p. 100.
  14. ↑ Lyon, James (October 23, 2007). "DS Roundup (Page 2)". Eurogamer. Retrieved July 23, 2017.
  15. 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.
  16. ↑ Biessener, Adam (September 2007). "Luminous Arc". Game Informer. No. 173. Archived from the original on December 27, 2008. Retrieved July 23, 2017.
  17. 1 2 ILikePie (August 14, 2007). "Review: Luminous Arc". GamePro. Archived from the original on February 4, 2008. Retrieved July 23, 2017.
  18. ↑ Massimilla, Bethany (August 24, 2007). "Luminous Arc Review". GameSpot. Retrieved July 23, 2017.
  19. ↑ Kemps, Heidi (September 11, 2007). "GameSpy: Luminous Arc (Review)". GameSpy. Archived from the original on September 15, 2007. Retrieved July 23, 2017.
  20. ↑ Platt, Dylan (September 6, 2007). "Luminous Arc - NDS - Review". GameZone. Archived from the original on September 29, 2008. Retrieved July 23, 2017.
  21. ↑ Bozon, Mark (August 15, 2007). "Luminous Arc Review". IGN. Retrieved July 23, 2017.
  22. ↑ "Luminous Arc (Review)". Nintendo Power. Vol. 219. September 2007. p. 86.
  23. ↑ Hartley, Gary (November 25, 2007). "Luminous Arc (DS) review". Honest Gamers. Retrieved July 23, 2017.
  24. ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2007-09-27. Retrieved 2008-08-20.
  25. ↑ Jenkins, David (February 16, 2007). "Virtua Fighter For PS3 Grabs Top Spot In Japanese Charts". Gamasutra. Retrieved April 15, 2009.
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