What is unique about this Strategy RPG that will continue to hold the attention of players and keep them away from other titles in the genre?
Clayton: Well, I’m pretty hesitant to call anything “unique” in the video game industry. Someone somewhere has done nearly everything already in some fashion, and I don’t want to trample all over their achievements in an attempt to rewrite history in my favor. That being said, I think Luminous Arc has some key features that will set it apart from the other SRPGs coming out this year, especially on the DS. I think the largest distinguishing feature is that Luminous Arc offers both wireless and wi-fi multiplayer. I remember having heated forum debates on which character lineups for Final Fantasy Tactics were the best, so when those debates come up for Luminous, it’s going to be a blast settling those debates on the field of battle.
I think that the game’s uncommonly versatile control scheme is going to please a lot of strategy RPG gamers. Some people, myself included, don’t like using the stylus for their SRPGs, while others like it a lot. Luminous Arc also has left-hand and right-hand setups so that nobody playing it is forced to develop “gaming ambidexterity”. It may seem like a little thing on paper, but in my experience, when you’re really getting into an SRPG, comfortable controls mean a lot.
Luminous Arc also has a solid chunk of voice acting in the game, which is pretty rare for a DS title. Some of the characters are really bolstered by the acting. I remember a couple of times in the studio where we’d see a line on the script we knew was supposed to be funny, but hearing the voice actor/actress nail the line with just the right cadence and timing took it to another level of hilarity. I have to man up a little bit here and admit that I honestly didn’t care if we put voice acting in Luminous Arc or not, but Sammy Matsushima, the project lead, had worked with these actors before and he was dead set against removing the voice acting. After playing this game with and without the voices, I am now in total agreement with Sammy. The game just would not be as good without hearing some of these lines voiced.
Of course, the solid combat, the characters and the artwork will make Luminous Arc an overall appealing package for any strategy RPG lover, but I think the ability to challenge your friends over wi-fi is really going to set this game apart from the other titles for fans of the genre. People have been asking for the ability to play this style of game online for a long time, and that should go a long way towards convincing gamers that if they are looking for an SRPG, they will be getting the most bang for their buck out of Luminous Arc.
Is there anything in this title that might draw in people that originally were not SRPG fans?
Clayton: I don’t think that there are many gamers out there who are just hardwired to only like specific genres. I think there are certain aspects of gameplay that gamers derive enjoyment from, and they’ll play whatever game can generate the enjoyment that they specifically crave, whether it be an RTS, strategy RPG, or a date-sim, so long as it provides the interactive experience they desire. I don’t think classifying people by what they’re playing is as accurate or as insightful as trying to figure out WHY they’re playing what they’re playing.
So, I feel that Luminous Arc does cast a pretty wide net, in terms of finding an audience even among people who don’t normally play SRPGs. If you’re a person who enjoys games with a good story, you’ll probably enjoy Luminous Arc. If you like good looking artwork, enjoyable character interaction, or characters that are a bit more humorous, I imagine that you’ll enjoy the game, even if grid-based combat isn’t your favorite style of RPG. Sammy loves the music for the game, so if you’re a game music lover, you’re going to get a kick out of that, too. I think there are a lot of things that Luminous Arc does well, and that a lot of people are really going to like it, regardless of genre preference.
About how long can normal players expect the game's story to last them hourwise?
Clayton: Their testers tell me the main storyline is about 20 hours long if you're not powerlevelling. However, I'm playing through the sidequests and completing the full Intermission sequences, and I'm clocking in at 30-35 hours.
Are there many side quests in this title or is most of the game linear?
Clayton: There are quite a few side quests, but you have to do a little work to find them. They aren’t just going to be waiting for you as a conversation option at the same location you need to be at in order to advance the plot. Of course, you can just blow through the main storyline if you desire, but I feel that in games, as well as in life, it is the side quests you complete that define you. For those looking for even more playtime, there’s an extra dungeon after you complete the game, and the aforementioned multiplayer component will add even more replay.