An amnesiac bounty hunter setting out to find his past across a world in danger.

Arc the Lad II hints at a contrasted profile. On the feel of the controller it rises high, ahead of three quarters of all games, but on a single vote, so nothing is settled. Rediscovery follows, above average, and the desert island sits just ahead of half the field on a slightly firmer base. On the other side, attachment, fun and the art style stay low. The game makes you want to replay and dive into its adventure, but struggles to build a strong bond or to charm with its looks. On so few votes, these nuances are first impressions more than a verdict.

In the lineage of late-90s Japanese tactical RPGs, Arc the Lad II is a niche classic, treasured by those in the know. Its emotion and aesthetic criteria run into modern expectations its era never had to serve.

So, who is it for? For you if you love retro tactical RPGs, quests for identity and the pleasure of battles. Much less so if you want an instant favorite or a visual punch.