GAMES: GameSpot | GameFAQs MUSIC: Last.fm | MP3.com MOVIES: Metacritic | Movietome TV: TV.com
Home | About Metacritic | About Metascores | What's New | Wireless Versions | Discussion Forums | Advertising Inquiries | Contact Us | RSS
Metacritic.com: We Deal With Criticism
     Help
> Switch to Advanced Search  
Film Video/DVD Music Games TV

Games

Playstation Reviews
PS3 | PS2 | PS One | PSP

Xbox Reviews
Xbox 360 | Xbox

Nintendo Reviews
Wii | DS | GBA | Cube | N64


PC | N-Gage | Dreamcast

How Metascores Are Calculated
Discuss Games In Our Forums

 

Upcoming & Recent Releases

sort by name sort by score

Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed games.



Printer-Friendly Version Email This Page Discuss In Our Forums
Wild Arms 3 ps2 Game Reviews
Wild Arms 3
Critic Score
Metascore: 78 Metascore out of 100
User Score  
9.6 out of 10
based on 30 reviews
Read critic reviews
How did we calculate this?
based on 13 votes
Read user comments
Rate this game

During desolate times on the "Sea of Sand", Drifters venture across the vast lands of Filgaia searching for fortune and adventure. Amidst the deserts lie cities erected from eroded rock and scavenged wood. Towns that a few call home provide rest and solitude for the many travelers of the barren wasteland. Tales of mystic relics that harness unmatched powers spread across the land. While some vision the items as treasure, others have deciphered a secret bringing unlimited power. Meanwhile, one object of mythical stature attracts four Drifters to a common place. These four strangers discover the strength in working as a team. Shortly thereafter they learn of an ancient prophecy determining the future of their eroded homeland. Setting aside their differences, they roam the lands and unlock the knowledge and mystical forces making their adventure their destiny. [SCEA]

PUBLISHER: Sony Computer Entertainment America
DEVELOPER: Sony Computer Entertainment America
GENRE(S): Role-Playing Game
PLAYERS: 1
ESRB RATING: T (Teen)
RELEASE DATE: October 8, 2002

What The Critics Said

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

95
GameReviewer
Exceptional battle systems, enemy encounter rates, an 'epic journey' with more twists than a pretzel and a creatively represented story... This is bound to be loved by both RPG fans and those few who hated RPG's for the obnoxiously random enemey encounters.
Read Full Review
91
Gaming Age
A no-brainer recommendation. The story moves along nicely, and the battles load quickly and provide you with enough strategy to stay reasonably interesting.
Read Full Review
90
GamerWeb Sony
Well-presented, deep and involving.
Read Full Review
90
Gamer's Pulse
The graphics are superb, the gameplay is fun and the overall package is amazing.
Read Full Review
87
GameBrink
Although the plot wasn’t a very outstanding feature, the gameplay outside and within battles remain strong and clearly define the game.
Read Full Review
87
GameSpy
I loved Wild ARMs 3. It's a wonderful example of a great sequel and a great game, and I would recommend it to any fan of console RPGs. Since Squaresoft did the translation, even the purists should have few gripes.
Read Full Review
85
GameZone
With a wonderfully crafted story, great characters and an immense world to explore, gamers will be spending hours with this one.
Read Full Review
83
Game Over Online
Those looking for a good title who want creativity, good storylines and a solid dose of anime, can’t go wrong with Wild Arms 3.
Read Full Review
82
Media and Games Online Network
It incorporates a lot of the traditional RPG elements while adding in some interesting and unique visual presentations of the action.
Read Full Review
82
TotalGames.net
That said, there is no doubt that this is a fantastic game that contains believable characters (surely a rarity in the world of RPGs) and although occasionally stuttering in a fit of lost focus, manages to both charm and delight with its fresh locales and gung-ho attitude.
Read Full Review
82
netjak
More RPGs could take a good lesson from the Wild Arms franchise, with the focus being on fun experiences while playing, instead of storylines that take up way too much brain power and taking the focus off of the gameplay.
Read Full Review
80
eToychest
With a ton of side quests, the game easily takes 30+ hours to complete, and it stands as one of better choices for gamers interested in a new role-playing experience this time of year.
Read Full Review
80
Electronic Gaming Monthly
Cool characters and inventive locales also make a difference. [Nov 2002, p.283]
80
Thunderbolt
Like its predecessors, simply doesn’t have the presentation strength or storytelling depth to match up with the very best in its genre. But with an interesting array of puzzles, a likeable cast, and a unique Western motif, the game is able to set itself apart, however superficially, from the Final Fantasy clones of the world.
Read Full Review
80
GamePro
A solid mix of visual flair, musical excellence, and story-driven gameplay.
Read Full Review
80
PSM Magazine
It's excellent gameplay pulls through in the long run for a solid role-playing experience. [Nov 2002, p.44]
79
IGN
It's probably worth picking over "Legaia 2," the other noteworthy RPG release of the moment.
Read Full Review
78
Game Informer
The sound, on the other hand, makes me cower in a corner, trying to find a warm place. [Nov 2002, p.122]
78
Gamers' Temple
While the excessive combat and frustrating search system can make the game trying at times, overall it is not a bad title. If you enjoy Japanese-style console RPGS, this one is definitely worth a look.
Read Full Review
75
Game Revolution
Things have definitely improved and the dramatic graphics will certainly capture your eye, but when it comes right down to it, this game embraces more classic gameplay devices than it probably should.
Read Full Review
75
GameSpot
Because of its great looks, gameplay twists, and good cast of characters, Wild Arms 3 should appeal to most anyone who likes games of this type.
Read Full Review
75
GameNow
Might not bring much new to the table (aside from its gorgeous cel-shaded graphics), but it's such a stellar example of this traditional style of RPG'ing that it's worth a look. [Nov 2002, p.74]
70
Official U.S. Playstation Magazine
Just isn't interesting enough to overcome its retro-tinged, formulaic gameplay. [Nov 2002, p.196]
70
Electric Playground
Despite the repetitive combat and other shortcomings, I found Wild Arms 3 to be pretty engrossing.
Read Full Review
70
PSX Nation
Worth the forty bucks IF “Legaia 2” or “Suikoden III” left you hungry for more.
Read Full Review
70
GameCritics
It does everything an RPG should do and does it pretty well, but the lack of innovation is a bit disappointing.
Read Full Review
70
EuroGamer
A charming and entertaining Japanese RPG which adheres to the conventions of the genre far too much for its own good, but will still provide many, many hours of entertainment.
Read Full Review
70
Yahoo! Games
It's likely to be dwarfed by some of the mega-games already in the pipe, but is well worth a lengthy tour by RPG enthusiasts.
Read Full Review
60
G4 TV
The story line is in-depth and the development of the characters is well thought out. But the flaws hold this title back from being a top contender in the RPG genre.
Read Full Review
60
Play Magazine
Look past the shaky dialogue and you'll find a strong RPG that will especially satisfy fans of the series. [Nov 2002, p.60]

What Our Users Said

Vote Now! The average user rating for this game is 9.6 (out of 10) based on 13 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Kidd zeal gave it a 10:
Cute!

Joel N. gave it an 8:
This game features wild, nonstop action mixed with a respectable battle engine, it's just really hard sometimes.

And tat gave it a 10:
Two words: TOTALLY AWESOME.

Craig B. gave it an 8:
It would be the best game only if it had actual diaglogue, not subtitles.

Evert Z. gave it a 10:
A superb game, briljant atmosphere and phenomenal game play and storyline ! Just buy it !

Mark L. gave it a 10:
Utterly stunning comes close to final fantasy 10.

Gary B gave it a 10:
Great!!!!!!11

Read more user comments...

Discuss this game in our forums

Return to top of page
Home | FILM | DVD/VIDEO | MUSIC | GAMES | TV | Forums | About Metacritic metacritic.com

Popular on CBS sites: iPhone 3G | Fantasy Football | Moneywatch | Antivirus Software | Recipes | E3 2009

About CBS Interactive | Jobs | Advertise

© 2009 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use