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PSP Fanboy review: Wild ARMs XF
The western-themed RPG franchise finally hits the PSP with their strategy title, Wild ARMs XF (crossfire). Throughout the franchise's history, they've battled lukewarm reviews, netting them the title of a catch-all RPG. Traditional, but different. Easy, accessible, and more or less for everyone. However, the titles have garnered a cult following, where they yearn to traverse Filgaia once again and explore its barren desert exterior. It seems the folk over at Media.Vision and Sony have been secretly working on this title for a long time, plotting to destroy everything you know about Wild ARMs, but keeping everything as familiar as possible. The result? Pure genius.%Gallery-3795%
Brief Wild ARMs XF trailer tells all the basics
In case you're interested in Wild ARMs XF but haven't read our interview with Akifumi Kaneko, then perhaps this brief English trailer will grab your short attention span. In just one minute, the trailer tells you every basic detail you'll need to know about the title's gameplay. This comes in as a nice little info-jolt as this PSP-exclusive strategy RPG will be out soon -- March 11 to be exact.
Wild Arms PS2 connectivity removed
The Japanese release of Wild Arms XF featured connectivity with the PS2 version of Wild Arms XF. Players were able to unlock extra characters in the PS2 game by hooking up the two systems. However, that functionality has been removed for the US release. Why? Well, don't get too upset. XSEED's Jimmy Soga told Siliconera, "to answer your question about WAXF and WA5 connectivity, there will be none for the US version. We made WA5 have all the upgrades and bonus materials in the game w/o the connectivity to the WAXF as we thought the fans will appreciate it more that way."So no one loses anything. Not bad? We don't think PS2-PSP connectivity is really going to take off any time soon, so opting out of using such a gimmick is a good thing. But, there are so many more possibilities with PS3-PSP connectivity ...%Gallery-3795%
Official Wild Arms XF website opens
Click for high-resolution image. Wow, you really must visit the official Wild Arms XF website. Why? Well, we've had the page open for the past half hour or so, simply listening to the looping soundtrack in the background. It really can be quite good: the unique mix of western and orchestral influences the Wild Arms series has always been known for. You can read up on the game, check out some pretty pictures, and more.Oh, and don't forget to see our updated gallery.%Gallery-3795%
PSP Fanboy interview: Wild ARMs XF's Akifumi Kaneko
XSEED's upcoming PSP exclusive Wild Arms game takes the series to a bold new direction. Like the great PSP games of last year, the popular RPG series is getting a taste of strategy. We got a chance to talk to producer (and scenario writer) Akifumi Kaneko about this upcoming SPRG.Where does the influence for the unique western music come from?From all the western movies I used to enjoy as a child. I think the idea of something being "cool" is a worldwide concept. I thought combining the musical style from western movies with the style from anime (Japanese cartoons) would create an original Wild ARMs soundtrack that would be considered very "cool" by many people. That is what we strive to achieve with each new game's soundtrack.Was this game originally created as a strategy-RPG?It was planned as a strategy RPG from the initial stages. The past few Wild ARMs games had become more action-based but we wanted to add more depth to the battle tactics while creating a new concept in the Wild ARMs series. Another reason was that we wanted a faster paced story element, especially since the story in Wild ARMs XF is constantly changing with many plot twists. If we kept it the same style as previous Wild ARMs games, the pace of the story gets put on hold every time the player gets lost or can't find the next dungeon. We branched off to the strategy RPG genre so that the story can be enjoyed at the speedy pace that it was meant for.%Gallery-3795%
The heroes of Wild Arms XF
Click for high-resolution image. Are you excited for the upcoming SPRG, Wild Arms XF? Sony's handheld has become the platform of choice for strategists, and XSEED plans on delivering yet another experience on the PSP. Not only do we have an overwhelming amount of new screenshots, we have character bios for you, after the break.%Gallery-3795%
PS Fanboy Wallpapers: Volume 12
Every week, PSP and PS3 Fanboy will bring you new backgrounds for your Sony consoles, in resolutions up to 1080p. Download them directly to your PS3 by accessing PS3 Fanboy on your system. Download PSP wallpapers directly to your PSP by accessing the site wirelessly at m.pspfanboy.com.This weekend, we're focusing on XSEED's upcoming PSP title Wild Arms XF.
PSP-exclusive Wild Arms XF confirmed for US
As one of maybe six people who seem to derive enjoyment from Sony and Media Vision's RPG series Wild Arms, I was was understandably pleased with news of publisher XSEED's intent to bring the new PSP-exclusive Wild Arms XF, or Crossfire, to North America next spring, even if those around me could care less. This latest jaunt through the Wild West-themed world of Filgaia will mark a return to the hex-based combat system used in by the previous two games in the franchise. While few other details have been revealed about the game, it's interesting to note that the Japanese version of the title supports linking between it and Wild Arms 5 for the PS2, unlocking new items and boss battles across both titles, giving the handful of us who appreciate the series another reason not to pack away our aging PS2s just yet.
Wild Arms XF coming to US in Spring 2008
Click for high resolution image. Wild Arms XF, the PSP-exclusive SRPG continuation of the popular Wild Arms series will be making its way to America courtesy of publisher XSEED. The hex-based SRPG will be available for the English speaking market in Spring 2008. You'll certainly see a lot more of this game in the coming months.Check out our updated gallery below:%Gallery-3795%
Japanese Wild Arms XF trailer mixes gameplay and J-pop
Every great Japanese RPG needs to have anime cutscenes and a bubbly J-pop intro. Wild Arms XF, the upcoming PSP-exclusive SRPG, is no different. This newly released Japanese trailer reveals gameplay, but with the usual Japanese anime-inspired trimmings. Of course, we're not complaining -- as is the case of titles like this, it's part of the charm.
New Wild Arms XF screenshots
We tried thinking up a more original headline than this. Seriously. However, there isn't much to note in this new batch of screenshots from the upcoming Wild Arms XF. It looks juts like every other anime-inspired SRPG out there, with some simple, but attractive 2D graphics, and a genre-standard HUD. Maybe a few of our more Japanese-inclined readers can decipher a few new details from the newly updated website.%Gallery-3795%
Direct-feed screenshots of the new Wild Arms XF
The floodgates have opened as new information continues to pour in about the PSP-exclusive Wild Arms XF. This strategy RPG may not feature 3D graphics like its predecessor, but it remains beautiful, thanks to some meticulously crafted sprites. See some more hot grid-based action after the break.
More details on Wild Arms XF
The official Japanese Wild Arms XF website has opened, although it doesn't provide too much information. IGN, however, has uncovered a treasure trove of new details on the upcoming PSP-exclusive SRPG: "Set once again in the land of Falgaia, Wild Arms XF tells the story of Clarisa, a knight in the army of the peaceful kingdom of Elecius. The story begins when the queen is killed in what appears to be more than just an accident." "During battle, you move the members of your party in turn with the enemies." "By connecting your PSP to your PS2 via USB, you'll unlock six secret bosses in Wild Arms 5. XF sees more benefit, as you get better items and rewards and even get to see some special events." As PSP Fanboy reader trystero said: "Handhelds and SRPGs go together like glue and ... well, more glue." Hopefully, Wild Arms XF will prove to be a worthwhile addition to the PSP library.[Thanks, Thien!]
