Arc the Lad: Twilight of the Spirits

 PlayStation 2
Metascore
72

Mixed or average reviews - based on 39 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 19 out of 39
  2. Mixed: 19 out of 39
  3. Negative: 1 out of 39
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  1. TotalGames.net
    43
    It's a Japanese RPG in the truest sense and conforms to all the clichs of the genre. It has its misfits, its central (male) character with a mysterious past (and a strange birthmark on his shoulder) and a turn-based battle system with magic and hit points. It has its world map.
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Awards & Rankings

83
#83 Most Discussed PS2 Game of 2003
13
#13 Most Shared PS2 Game of 2003

User Reviews

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User Score
8.5

Generally favorable reviews- based on 48 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 39 out of 48
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 48
  3. Negative: 1 out of 48
  1. vahn
    Oct 29, 2018
    8
    My version is the ps2 version and while I know there's a ps4 version, I decided to put it here instead because...well that's my version, andMy version is the ps2 version and while I know there's a ps4 version, I decided to put it here instead because...well that's my version, and I'm not sure if there's any difference besides the slight graphical update and trophies.

    PROS:
    + Great story with two POV for a better immersion and good twists
    + A large and balanced roster of characters (10 + 2 secret characters)
    + Easy to learn tactical combat
    + Many skills to unlock
    + Customizable armor and weapons (instead of buying new ones)
    + Challenging side content (The arena) that grants amazing rewards.
    + Good music with some enjoyable tunes.
    + A relatively long game (I finished in about 60+ hours)

    CONS:
    - Incredibly slow pace and the impossibility to skip cutscenes.
    - Spirit Stones instead of Mana for skills makes it needlessly harder.
    - Mediocre voice acting
    - Lack of information during combat (no bars above heads or etc)
    - Annoying looting system (no automatic pick after fight)
    - Lack of sidecontent besides the arena.
    - Huge difficult spike at the end of the game.

    Overall the game is great but it suffers from being a relatively old-school tactical rpg that has a lot of difficulty spikes and very slow paced combat and story. Add the fact that the game can become incredibly frustrating during the last session of story - and a final boss that nearly defeated me DESPITE having unlimited spells and basically everyone overlevelled, this game is a diamond in the rough: you'll have to go through the flaws to fully enjoy. But if you do you'll have a really good time and the lots of grind you've done will be worth it.    … Full Review »
  2. RangerGxi
    Oct 7, 2012
    7
    This game is excellent. The game actually has deep characters(despite looking heavily cliche at the beginning of the adventure) who change asThis game is excellent. The game actually has deep characters(despite looking heavily cliche at the beginning of the adventure) who change as the story progresses, a great combat system for 2003-2004 and a large world that's pretty interesting. This game is an amazing example of a videogame story done right, with us seeing multiple perspectives and making us morality, making us care for the characters and holding to an array of many different themes on the topics of revenge, good, friendship, power and love. A game I would heavily recommend for anybody who likes a good RPG and is interested in an excellent story.

    I would recommend it alone for the character Bebedora, who is probably one the most interesting characters I have ever encountered in an RPG. .    … Full Review »
  3. BrianK.
    Nov 7, 2005
    9
    Excellent RPG actually, what makes it excellent are the story and plot and character development, I don't mean stats but emotional, Arc Excellent RPG actually, what makes it excellent are the story and plot and character development, I don't mean stats but emotional, Arc the Lad:TOTS has living, breathing characters with conflict, emotion and goals that evolve as the game progresses, the story is also great and will keep you guessing and wondering what will develop next, I actually care what will happen to each character, and until it finally happened I wondered what would happen when Karg and Darc finally meet, the fact they begin the game having no idea the other exists, then slowly and subtley crossing each other tracks until they finally meet in an emotional conflict was great to witness as in unfolded, I also love the battle system, strategy plays pretty heavily sometimes, everyone player seems to have a role which I like you have your fighters, mages, archers, and healers. I love some of the battlegrounds later in the game, m only quip is the voice overs though they are good they are way too few far and between, more voice would of been great. Love it still though!… Full Review »
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