Wild ARMs XF

 PSP
Metascore
64

Mixed or average reviews - based on 22 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 22
  2. Mixed: 14 out of 22
  3. Negative: 3 out of 22
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  1. Game Chronicles
    96
    I recommend Wild Arms XF to anyone that is looking for a new challenge or another reason to buy a PSP. Strategy RPGs just don't get any better than this.
  2. RPG Fan
    87
    Wild Arms XF may not be the ultimate or defining strategy RPG experience, but it was definitely one of the most fun strategy RPG experiences I have had in a long time.
  3. Play Magazine
    85
    This is a game crafted and polished to a surprising degree, from the beautiful graphics and music to the distinct selection of character classes available to you. [May 2008, p.65]
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  5. Gaming Age
    75
    A safe purchase for fans of the genre and most likely the series, as well as newcomers, too. It certainly has a place in the PSP's newfound SRPG library.
  6. Game Informer
    75
    Smart playing can minimize (but not eliminate) the annoyance of the VP gauge, leaving you with an entertaining strategy experience. However, with Level 5’s Jeanne D’Arc out there, Wild Arms XF certainly wouldn’t be my first recommendation to someone looking for an original, tactics-oriented PSP game.
  7. GameSpy
    70
    Wild ARMs XF is an interesting strategy game, one that will entertain you with its charming storyline, an adorable puppy unit, and plenty of customization options. On the other hand, the attractive video sequences you may remember from the RPGs were replaced by rather uninteresting town conversations.
  8. Playstation: The Official Magazine (US)
    70
    If you're a fan of the "S" in SRPGs, then XF comes recommended. [June 2008, p.80]
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  9. AceGamez
    70
    Despite the many problems with Wild ARMs XF, I'm impressed by what X-Seed has produced, from a gameplay standpoint at least.
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  10. Extreme Gamer
    68
    Granted, it’s not the best game of the series and its nothing over impressive in the grand scale of Role-Playing games, however it is a good run at a standardized SRPG with a focus on customization, tactical action and a quirky western storyline.
  11. Worth Playing
    67
    Wild Arms XF is a title that picks up on one of the major weak points of the genre and improves upon it in a welcome stroke, but seems to favor an increase in difficulty simply for difficulty's sake and has a nasty habit of halfway playing the game for you.
  12. Cheat Code Central
    66
    Adding a strategic element, a robust class system, and varied mission objectives were all great ideas for the franchise, but unfortunately they fall short due to poor implementation.
  13. Electronic Gaming Monthly
    61
    It also looks great, the character classes are interesting, and I appreciate the puzzlelike missions with more ambitious objectives than "kill everyone". [May 2008, p.89]
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  14. GameZone
    60
    Fans of the genre will enjoy the deep character customization as well as the satisfying tale that is as good as the console Wild ARMs games. It’s just too bad that XF is hindered by its few problems that hold it back.
  15. GamePro
    60
    There's no doubt that Wild Arms XF is best left for hardcore fans of the series who will probably be more forgiving of the game's faults; the rest of you should look elsewhere for your tactical RPG fix.
  16. Destructoid
    60
    While we appreciate the attempts at making an intensely deep strategy experience, Wild Arms XF may just be too deep for a portable game. Incredibly patient gamers may be okay with the chess-like pace and high level of strategizing, but for the rest, I'd recommend renting this title before purchasing.
  17. IGN
    58
    The gameplay just has too many holes to be enjoyable. The objective-based battles aren't particularly well designed and character class implementation takes away a lot of player freedom.
  18. GameSpot
    55
    Wild ARMs XF features some ambitious design elements that fail to disguise its dull storyline, tedious gameplay, and draconian rules.
  19. GamesRadar+
    50
    The battle system, however complicated, works - but it's just not that fun, and the sense of savage satisfaction that comes from finally winning a battle after numerous failures isn't enough to make up for the frustration.
  20. Console Gameworld
    50
    Wild ARMs XF has potential, but poor mission design and some odd design choices make it mediocre at best.
  21. Kombo
    45
    Wild ARMs XF does have some enjoyable parts, but they are severely hurt by gameplay flaws.
  22. Gamers' Temple
    45
    A strategy game isn't much of a strategy game when it relies more on trial and error than planning.
  23. 1UP
    42
    The game has some ambition, and I admire that. But in the end, a score is based on how much fun I have (that's why we play, right?), and I had very little fun playing Wild Arms XF. This says it all: I can't wait to whip out strategy gems like Final Fantasy Tactics or Disgaea on my commute...but I had to force myself to drag out XF.

Awards & Rankings

34
#34 Best PSP Game of 2008
26
#26 Most Discussed PSP Game of 2008
4
#4 Most Shared PSP Game of 2008

User Reviews

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User Score
7.7

Generally favorable reviews- based on 30 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 21 out of 30
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 30
  3. Negative: 4 out of 30
  1. Charly227
    Aug 21, 2022
    9
    Wild ARMs XF deserves far more credit from both critics and users than it has. It is teetering on the edge of a perfect game, and would sitWild ARMs XF deserves far more credit from both critics and users than it has. It is teetering on the edge of a perfect game, and would sit there if they put a tiny bit more effort into their story and pacing. The combat is fresh and fun, a strange take on a strategy game while still feeling familiar. I was sincerely hoping that I would see more Wild ARMs games in the future like this, but it seems it wasn't appreciated enough by the public and I still don't quite understand why.

    If you enjoy tactical, turn-based RPGs, this game is a memorable and worthy title to give a try.    … Full Review »
  2. Haku76
    Aug 7, 2020
    9
    I played this game when I still wasn't open to strategy games, I ended up playing and beating it twice, its story could have been better butI played this game when I still wasn't open to strategy games, I ended up playing and beating it twice, its story could have been better but is wasn't bad, the music was outstanding, the gameplay was fun and challenging, if it is too hard, the option of level grinding is always there. It was fun using the classes for each character and combining the skills you learned into other classes. I am now a lot more open to the genre because of this and a few other strategy games I played.… Full Review »
  3. JonasB
    Nov 20, 2009
    9
    This game opened up my eyes in more than one way. I looked forward to this before it was released and bought it before i read any reviews. I This game opened up my eyes in more than one way. I looked forward to this before it was released and bought it before i read any reviews. I enjoyed the game thoroughly and thought for sure it was one of the strongest PSP titles out there. The only thing lacking is story, the rest is there. Great 2D graphics with detailed colorful sprites. Great user interface, very welldesigned gameplay that is a unique take on a Final Fantasy Tactics formula. I played it for some time and then went ahead to check how professional reviewers viewed it, which was nothing like i expected. Before this game I basivcally always read reviews and seldom to never bought a game that had under 80% in gamerankings average or later metacritic. When i discovered the bad scores this title had recieved i finally lost my trust in reviews, something i regret not doing alot sooner. What im really trying to say is that if you know you enjoy FFT or games like it, any turnbased rph strategy game, thisone is in my opinion, aside from the story, the top of the crop for any system. Better than disgaea and better than FFT… Full Review »
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