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Arc The Lad Collection psx Game Reviews
Arc The Lad Collection
Critic Score
Metascore: 78 Metascore out of 100
User Score  
9.7 out of 10
based on 14 reviews
Read critic reviews
How did we calculate this?
based on 12 votes
Read user comments
Rate this game

Arc the Lad Collection features all three chapters in the Arc the Lad Saga, which were released as complete stand-alone games in Japan, in addition to the Arc Arena bonus game in one pack. The deluxe boxed set features six CDs, over 100 hours of gameplay, and special collector's packaging. [Working Designs]

PUBLISHER: Working Designs
DEVELOPER: Arc Development
GENRE(S): Role-Playing Game
PLAYERS: 1
ESRB RATING: T (Teen)
RELEASE DATE: April 18, 2002

What The Critics Said

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

92
PSX Nation
Arc The Lad Collection is a love affair with the single most impressive packaging I’ve seen in ANY media, that includes music and DVD’s.
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91
XenGamers
Simply too great a package for any RPG lover to be without.
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88
IGN
Working Designs has done its fanbase a kind service with this one, and in exceptionally classy style.
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85
GameZone
Think of the Arc the Lad Collection as a well loved trilogy of your choice - but instead you have the good fortune to play it all at once instead of waiting years for the series to complete. Then add a couple spin-offs and the ever important behind the scenes looks.
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85
Game Informer
With the classic strategy gameplay and trademark Working Designs writing, anybody with a taste for RPGs will find more than a mouthful here. [Jan 2002, p.88]
80
PSM Magazine
The complete Arc The Lad experience (including extra goodies) is an otaku's dream come true. [Jan 2002]
80
Electric Playground
Expect well over 120 hours of play from this bundle, and the three main titles truly are worth your time.
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80
Official U.S. Playstation Magazine
I'm really amazed at just how much there really is in this collection. [Jan 2002, p.144]
80
GamePro
Arc I is too short; Arc II is rewarding but drags on a bit; and Arc III looks bland. The overall story, though, makes all three worth playing in the long run.
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75
Gaming Age
Even if you’ve never played a strategy RPG in your life, Arc the Lad is the perfect starting point: it’s not overly difficult, it features an easy-to-use battle interface, and the variety of gameplay increases with each chapter in the series.
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72
My Gamer
Despite the limited appeal of Arc Arena and personal hang-ups with the story and lack of character depth in Arc II, when combined into one package, this series shines as a high-watermark for the RPG genre.
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67
Game Revolution
A solid collection that is worth a look, provided the price is right.
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60
Play Magazine
Hardcore RPG fans should add another star to the score and reserve a copy immediately. [Feb 2002, p.52]
55
Electronic Gaming Monthly
These games just haven’t aged as well as the Final Fantasy or Lunar series. [Feb 2002, p.168]

What Our Users Said

Vote Now! The average user rating for this game is 9.7 (out of 10) based on 12 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Vid M. gave it an8:
I really wish I could give the three games here individual scores. Arc the Lad II is clearly a ten. Second only to FFT as the #1 TRPG. The battle system and hunting concept are top-notch. The parallelism and scope of the world is nothing short of amazing. Arc the Lad I is more like a 5. The "game" (if that's what it really is) lasts less than ten hours. "This has been a long and perilous quest," says Arc a few hours in. Really? When was that? I must've missed it. It is sweet that you get to transfer your Arc I data over to Arc II though. Plus, Arc I is too dang short to leave any lasting scars. Arc III is also about a 5. It's longer than Arc I, but it's also drab and uninspired. I hear the series was supposed to end with the second game. Clearly, there was no room left for a third installment. The characters just sort of flounder around in a meaningless story saying ridiculous things, like "Gee, I sure wish I was Arc." Yeah, me too, Alec. Me too...

Geo R. gave it a 10:
This Game Is Great... I Feel I Am The Hero!

Sancho D. gave it a 10:
Everyhing is incredible; the only thing that is annoying is how many times you can move but otherwise it's awesome.

DJ Lampien gave it a 9:
Arc the Lad 1 is too short but the others are great. I could not put them down.

Ryan P. gave it a 10:
All 4 games are wonderful. Plus you get a whole load of extras. It's really fun and addictive.

Tim H. gave it a 10:
This game is awesome!

Nagrom F. gave it a 10:
This is probly one of my favorite games of all time. I absolutely love the battles and characters. Everyone should buy this game.

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