Enchanted Arms is interesting for a couple of reasons. For one, it was the first JRPG on Xbox 360, which technically makes it the first HD console JRPG. Secondly, it was developed by FromSoftware, a company that doesn’t really make this kind of game anymore! Those two facts go a long way to make Enchanted Arms seem more compelling than it actually is.
That’s not to say the game isn’t enjoyable though. I’ve had a good time during the 8 hours or so I’ve spent with the game, even though it’s not really anything I hadn’t seen before or since 2006.
At its core, Enchanted Arms is a very PS2-esque linear sci-fi/fantasy JRPG. The comparison that instantly comes to mind is Final Fantasy X, but there are some key differentiators. Combat in Enchanted Arms is turn-based, but uses a grid system similar to strategy RPGs. It isn’t exactly Fire Emblem, but you do have to be cognizant of your positioning for certain attacks.
There are some welcome QoL features here, most notably an auto-battle option, combat fast-forward, and auto-healing the party after each battle. Characters have vitality points that deplete after each battle; when they get to zero characters become essentially worthless until you refresh at a recharge station. This mechanic necessitates some strategy around “building your bench.” In some of the game’s longer dungeons, recharge stations are few and far between, which means your party members may run out of vitality points before the end. When this happens you gotta swap in golems.
Not entirely unlike Pokémon, Shin Megami Tensei, or Dragon Quest V, you can recruit enemies to join your party. These creatures, known in the game lore as “golems,” level up in a similar fashion as your human party members and are essential swaps during long stretches between recharge stations.
The story is fairly typical of the genre and era. The main character is a Most Special Boy with a mysterious power who accidentally awakens an ancient evil yadda yadda. Despite the plot tropes, the game does manage some interesting writing. For one, there is a flamboyant gay man in the party right from the jump.
I wouldn’t exactly call Makoto thoughtful representation (as is often the case with these depictions in Japanese media, he’s played for laughs), but in the context of Xbox 360 games in 2006, he does stand out. There is also some welcome strangeness with the golems. While most are typical JRPG enemies, there are also some weird ones, like Pizza Golem.
Apparently the game’s English dub is pretty bad, but I played with the Japanese voice track- a nice option to have that was far from guaranteed in a 2006 JRPG.
Enchanted Arms doesn’t have the best reputation (if it’s remembered at all), but I’m glad I finally spent some time with it. It’s hard to recommend a 20 year old, 30 hour, mediocre JRPG when we all have massive adult backlogs, but if you have any interest in the history of HD gaming, the genre, or FromSoftware, Enchanted Arms may be worth checking out.
All screenshots captured on an Xbox Series X console playing the 360 disc via backwards compatibility.
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