Note : This review was written for my small videogame airship website, http://mysite.verizon.net/vze20u4b/hangar, so it will focus on the airships more than on the human characters.
Ratings [1-10]
story : 7
control : 9
graphics : 8
sound : 7
originality : 10
THE airship game, Skies of Arcadia was originally released as one of the few roleplaying games on the ill-fated Sega Dreamcast, creating a cult following due to it's memorable characters, and even more memorable theme. It was later re-released for the Nintendo Gamecube with added storyline material and a few new minigames as Skies of Arcadia Legends. No matter which the version you own, the general plot remains the same.
Focused on the haphazard adventures of Vyse the young Blue Pirate, this game was mainly focused on character development, basing the majority of the storyline on the mysterious past of a young girl named Fina, sent from a far away world on an unknown mission. Vyse is accompanied by his loyal partner in "crime", Aika, a hyperactive young girl with a healthy desire for adventure. Vyse also meets other characters such as a noble young prince and a rough'n'tuff fisherman with a secret agenda.
The combat is played out in two parts, land battles and airship battles, primarily the former. We'll focus on the airship battles, since you know, this is what this website focuses on.
Ship battles as played out in turn-based combat, planning for a few turns ahead, with each ship firing either standard weaponry bought from stores and installed onboard (choose from strong cannons, quick-but-weak secondary cannons, and torpedos), magical attacks (when the proper upgrade is acquired), item use, or massive special attacks. Each movement uses up "Spirit Points", gained each round, and maxed out by the collective spirit of the team (determined by their experience levels).
Each ship has a specific number of health points available, and when the health points run out, game over. That's where HP increasing items, healing items, and defensive/magical armor comes into play. It protects your ship from damage, just like an armor would protect a humanoid character from receiving offensive damage. Various accessories also exist, either for increasing your ship's value, speed, or just for show. The ship is only allowed a certain number of items from each category, so choose carefully.
Another fun aspect of the game is the "Discovery Search" and "Crew Member Search". Discoveries are found when the ship compass spins wildly, by pressing the "action" button (respective to your console). The discoveries are then sold to the Sailor's Guild for gold, unless a certain Treasure Hunter Extraordinare named Domingo manages to steal your thunder and proclaim himself as the discoverer of that location before you can say differently. That problem is easily solved by getting him into your ship's crew, but how to do that is another question.
One of the most fun parts of the game (for me) occurs when you get your own ship, and begin the search for a crew to upgrade your ship's stats and help you with other various tasks. Certain individuals can be invited into your crew when you've managed to achieve some fame as a "noble pirate" (the game ranks you by your answers to in-game questions, generally the answer most likely to please is the correct one), by completing tasks for them, or by simply talking to them once you've acquired your airship. These include anywhere from animals to mercenaries, so look carefully.
During the course of the game, Vyse is able to command a total of three airships, not counting smaller ships required by the storyline. This section will discuss those two airships and their various accessories and uses. For those wondering about the third, the Albatross is an old floating galleon, light brown and white in coloration, commanded by Vyse's father.
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