Metascore
69 out of 100

Mixed or average reviews - based on 38 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 19 out of 38
  2. Negative: 2 out of 38
  1. 90
    Story problems aside, I really enjoyed Wild Arms 4. It is one of my favorite games in the series, just for the gameplay alone.
  2. Wild Arms 4 may not be the next big thing in RPGs, but it brings a whole lot of chips to the party. With a truly engaging and original story and some creative storytelling, combined with one of the most interesting and strategic battle systems seen in years, Wild Arms 4 is well worth checking out.
  3. One thing that will never be said about the Wild ARMs series of RPGs is that they're all cookie-cutter games.
  4. I wish the game was more challenging so the innovative battle system would've been fully taken advantage of, however in reverse it could also be argued that because of the lacking difficulty the game is in turn more accessible to a wider audience.
  5. With an interesting story, innovative combat system, customization, and fairly strong sound and graphics, Wild Arms 4 makes for an exciting adventure into the world of Filgaia.
  6. It comes as quite a pleasant surprise that Wild ARMs 4 is actually better in regards to its platforming, adventuring and puzzles than it is its combat, but when considered altogether these parts equate to one finely crafted and unique RPG that fans of both the series and the genre as a whole would do well to pick up.
  7. The game strikes a good balance of old and new.
  8. It's going to slip under the radar for most people, but it is worth the effort. It's a lot of fun to play due to the battle system and dungeon mechanics and even though it wanders too far into the realm of role-playing stereotypes at times, the plot and characters are reasonably enjoyable.
  9. A hodgepodge of ideas that work pretty well together, and at least give this series a fresh direction after many years of the same old stuff.
  10. 78
    Developer Media Vision's cast of characters is overly likeable, the visuals are the best that the franchise has seen so far, and the puzzle-solving and exploration elements are really fun... it's just too bad that the potentially-awesome battle system wasn't hampered by bad enemy balancing and poor AI.
  11. With optional boss fights and side quests, there is tons to do within Wild Arms 4 to make you keep playing.
  12. Overall, the game's interesting storyline and intriguing locales make it worth a look if you're an RPG fan.
  13. For an RPG, I would expect better characters, something mildly interesting in the story and original landscapes, but here this is pretty much as average as you can get.
  14. 78
    Get on with eliminating the scaly, sometimes squdgy, monsters that have randomly attacked. [Issue#146, p.94]
  15. There's even bullet time. We kid you not. [Jan 2007, p.84]
  16. It consistently provides innovations for the series but nothing to distinguish it among its RPG peers. [Feb 2006, p.107]
  17. Instead of the tired RPG formula Wild ARMs 4 offers a lot that's new to the genre like platforming and the hex battle system. If only the storytelling mechanics were up to par Wild ARMs 4 would be a surefire hit.
  18. For veteran RPG fans, it's a typical RPG with a few fancy innovations so many won't be as impressed. But if you want to save the world from havoc (again), here's your chance.
  19. Wild ARMs 4 seems to be the complete opposite of the standard RPG, as it's the gameplay, not the story, which kept me playing.
  20. The fourth in the series continues with what works, featuring standard turn-based RPG conventions, with a bit more twist and strategy in combat.
  21. Respect is due for trying something different. [Dec 2006, p.94]
  22. All it needs is a little refinement. [Feb 2006, p.74]
  23. This new installment will totally baffle fans of the series. With its gloomy postindustrial setting, moderately complex platforming bits, and surprisingly different battle system, WA4 bears little resemblance to its charming, Wild West-themed predecessors. Once you get beyond that initial shock, though, you'll actually have a decent time.
  24. 70
    If you don't mind the half-baked jumping puzzles and tired character development, you'll find plenty to sink your teeth into.
  25. While Wild Arms 4 isn't as wonderfully radical....it still makes returning to the weary world of Filgaia for the fith time far more enervating than it has any right to be. [Apr 2006, p.93]
  26. The game features a sweet new battle system that has great potential for future installments, as well as platforming sequences that break up the monotony and some unconventional design and story ideas.
  27. The character's irrational beliefs make the story impenetrable, and the rest of the game doesn't hold up well in the face of the PS2's RPG library.
  28. The biggest folly, however, is that instead of building upon the establish lineage that fans have come to expect and enjoy, Wild Arms 4 breaks away and tries to be something wholly different, and in so doing succeed only in alienating existing fans.
  29. Wild Arms 4 evolves a little compared to other titles in this genre, but infantile graphics and immature, uninspired sections hinder it's full growth into JRPG-post-puberty. After all, coming of age ain't as easy as it seems to be.
  30. Number four in the series is one for the hardcore Wild Arms fans; the rest of us will wait for the next Final Fantasy as usual.
  31. A passable distraction amid higher-profile titles rather than a direct competitor to the smoking guns of the genre. [Dec 2006, p.120]
  32. The battles are unchallenging, but complex. The story is trite, but entertains. The exploration is fun, but easy.
  33. 60
    WA4 is uneven, wavering uncertainly between "totally offbeat" and "utterly trite."
  34. Even though I have great respect for the combat system Wild ARMS 4 employs, the game just has too many flaws to bring it above average.
  35. Essentially Wild ARMs 4 is an average RPG that half-heartedly tries to add a couple of new ideas, but these additions aren't done well enough and don't change the RPG formula enough to warrant much attention.
  36. It provides a somewhat engrossing, predictable plot, and a steady flow of battles, puzzles, drama and rewards. Unfortunately, the lack of more interesting ammo leaves this gun firing blanks.
  37. It would be easy to score this game as plain mediocre. After all, it essentially works, displays a misguided and seemingly half-hearted attempt at innovation, looks pleasant enough, passes the time and will likely meet the low expectations of its surprisingly large fanbase. But should such calculating mediocrity be continually excused?
  38. Having long since outlived its usefulness, the Wild Arms series has gone, with this entry, from merely banal to actively irritating. With such a wealth of RPGs getting translated nowadays and more companies than ever eager to get into the act, it's about time this appendix was removed.
User Score

Generally favorable reviews- based on 7 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 5
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 5
  3. Negative: 1 out of 5
  1. [Anonymous]
    10
    I really, REALLY liked this game. Quite possibly my favourite for the PS2. The story wasn't great, but everything else was astonishing. The characters and their development truly touched me, the game was mature and thought-provoking throughout and the ending brought me to tears with its representation of the bittersweetness of life. The platforming elements were my favourite in any RPG to date, the ability to turn off encounters a masterstroke, the tools fun and inventive, the battle system awesome in its tactical implementations, the sidequests too numerous to count and the rewards were constant. So it may not be very difficult and the enemies were half-baked. This was perhaps the funnest 80 hours (there really are a lot of sidequests) I've had with a game, and it had that RPG magic that the next installment was unfortunately unable to capture. Full Review »
  2. TehSquare
    3
    What the hell is this? Where's the amazing story, likable characters, smart puzzles, fast-paced battles, beautiful soundtrack, just right difficulty and tons of side quests that WA3 made me come to expect? All I see is a bland, overly childish storyline, characters that seem almost mentally challenged, a world that has no Wild Western feeling at all and simple, short, boring, overly easy and absolutely not compelling level design. I commend Media Vision for trying to innovate, but it just went all wrong. Full Review »
  3. JoelM.
    10
    game looks makes u feel good has NEW tory line everything about the game is great is the BEST wildarms ever so far.