Luminous Arc

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Luminous Arc
Developer(s)	Image Epoch
Publisher(s)	Marvelous Interactive Inc. (Japan) Atlus (U.S.) Rising Star Games (U.K)
Designer(s)	Hideyuki Mizutani (producer) Kaito Shibano (designer) Akari Kaida and Yasunori Mitsuda (music)
Platform(s)	Nintendo DS
Release date	JP February 8, 2007 NA August 14, 2007 PAL October 12, 2007[1]
Genre(s)	Tactical role-playing game
Mode(s)	Single player, Multiplayer, Online multiplayer
Rating(s)	CERO: A (All Ages) ESRB: T (Teen) PEGI: 7+

Luminous Arc (ルミナスアーク) is a tactical role-playing game from Marvelous for the Nintendo DS. Luminous Arc was released in Japan on February 8, 2007. The game was released in North America on August 14, 2007 by Atlus^[2][3]. The game was released in Europe on 12 October 2007 by Rising Star Games.

The game resembles other standard tactical role-playing games, such as Final Fantasy Tactics and Fire Emblem, and features voiced scenes. The game also features character designs by Kaito Shibano and music by Akari Kaida and Yasunori Mitsuda (and Mitsuda's studio, Procyon).^[4] Along with the main gameplay, there is an online multiplayer battle option.

The game has a sequel, Luminous Arc 2 Will, that was released on May 15, 2008 in Japan.

Contents 1 Gameplay 1.1 Special attacks 1.2 Intermissions 1.3 Vitae 1.4 Multiplayer battles 2 Story 2.1 Characters 2.1.1 Garden Children 2.1.2 Luminous Order 2.1.3 Witches and friends of Witches 2.2 Locations 3 Development 4 Reception 5 References 6 External links

[edit] Gameplay

Luminous Arc is a standard tactical role-playing game and uses a battlefield grid set-up for battles, using an isometric perspective.^[5] The top screen is used to display unit information while movement and attacks are determined on the lower screen. Left-handed touch-screen controls, right-handed touch-screen controls and standard D-pad control schemes are available. The player is able to cycle through these different control schemes in combat with the Select button. One of the special traits in this game is the Flash Drive Gauge, which, when filled, allows a character to use a special attack. In between battles, players can view short sequences featuring the game's mascot, Kopin, and intermission sequences that will allow the player to get to know the characters in the party better. The game also includes a multiplayer battle component.

[edit] Special attacks

Each time a player character makes an action, his or her Flash Meter will increase. The player can then use Flash Points to perform powerful attacks, called Flash Drives, that may also cause status ailments to enemies. Some enemies in Luminous Arc can also use Flash Drives.

It is important to note that, while normal attack skills can damage allies and healing skills can restore enemy HP, the effects of Flash Drives are limited to their intended targets--it is impossible for a recovery Flash Drive to heal opponents, etc.^[6] Flash Drives can be learned via leveling up, but several are learned as the story progresses.

Synergy attacks are a combination attack that can be used when all characters involved have their Flash Points filled up and are close to each other on the field. However, not all characters can perform Synergy attacks, as they are unlocked via story arcs that revolve around certain characters bonding.^[6]

[edit] Intermissions

After each battle, the spoils of battle will be displayed on the screen, including gold, items, and Vitae. In addition, the player will be prompted to talk with one of the characters that took part in the battle. An Intermission scene occurs after the ensuing plot dialogue, in which the player can have a short conversation with the previously selected character. On the touch screen, a list of responses will appear with the chosen character's avatar on the top screen. If the choice was favorable (usually works if you choose an answer that the character you are speaking with would say, had you said that), the main character, Alph, will develop a stronger bond with that character, which takes the form of evasion and hit rate bonuses if the two are placed next to each other in future battles.^[7] If the character particularly likes the player's response, he or she may give Alph a useful item. However, the player is given a finite number of opportunities to talk to each character, after which it will be impossible to improve the bond.^[8] If the player has made good choices throughout the various conversations with a character, there may be a special scene between Alph and that character featuring anime-style art and an additional voice-over.

There are also short cutscenes after every story battle featuring the game's mascot, Kopin. Though he claims that he will try to keep an eye on the characters and tell the story from his point of view, ^[9] the player actually learns more about Kopin's personality, philosophy, and possible love interests. If the player pokes the touch screen in different places, Kopin might respond to it with a variety of expressions.

[edit] Vitae

Throughout the adventure, the player will obtain magical items called Vitae. According to the game's lore, Vitae get their magical properties from the ancient power of Rune, the same power used by the Witches to fuel their magic.^[10] In order to make use of a piece of Vitae, it must first be appraised at the workshop in the Witch Village. Once this has been accomplished, the Vitae can be used to add elemental and status effects to weapons.^[10] In addition, it is possible to ask other characters about what they know about Vitae--this will allow the player to learn the best combinations for developing items with different strengths.

[edit] Multiplayer battles

Using the Wi-Fi option, players can choose to either battle against an anonymous and random opponent, or against a player whose friend code has been registered. Items are won for each game played against a random opponent - more being earned if the player is victorious. Players can also play locally via the DS' wireless connection.

[edit] Story

[edit] Characters

The anime inspired chararacter designs are by Kaito Shibano, an illustrator for PC games and trading cards. Shibano said that he made the designs bright and with a light feel to brush off the stereotype of witches being gloomy.^[4]

[edit] Garden Children

The Garden Children are a special group of warriors trained by the Arc Knight Heath to fight monsters and condemn the Witches that have reappeared in the world after being sealed for a thousand years.^[11] The Garden Children get their name from the Ever Garden, where a majority of them have been living for most of their lives. The Ever Garden was founded fourteen years before the game's story begins, in the same year that the Grand Cardinal Johannes was born. It was the last wish of the former Grand Cardinal that a group of humans be established to fight against the Witches, whose rebirth he forsaw. ^[11] Each member of the group has special abilities that make him or her useful in combat, ranging from swordfighting and archery skills to the use of Church-approved magic.

It is interesting to note that all of the current members of the Garden Children are orphans who were taken in by the church at a young age and taught to follow the Luminous Verses.

Alph

Raised in the Ever Garden, Alph has a strong sense of justice and wants to be a great knight. he cares greatly for his brother and friends, and idolizes Heath. Introduced in chapter one.

Alph (Rym)

Alph's form, reborn as lucia's Rym, the fated kinship between a Witch and dragon. He pledges to protect the planet and fight alongside Lucia. Introduced in chapter seventeen.

Theo

Alph's brother and another member of the Ever Garden. A bit timid, though he dearly loves his older brother, and follows him everywhere. Theo fights with a bow and loves eggs. Introduced in chapter one.

Leon

The Ever Garden's big brother. He's proud of his father, "The Lion King," who died in battle. Leon's attitude is a hit with most girls except Cecille, and suits him well in battle. Leon calls himself "God of Gourmet" because of his extensive knowledge of local specialty food items. Introduced in chapter one.

Cecille

A devout priestess who lives at the Ever Garden. She's a big sister to the others, and is a pretty easygoing person. In battle, she provides healing support, because she's so slow. Introduced in chapter one.

Cecille (Twilight Witch)

Cecille's true form, the Witch who wields the power of the dark. To prepare for battle against God, she sealed off her memories and powers when she left the Forest. This seal was broken by the Mother Lapistier shortly before she was destroyed, to allow the witches to gain their ultimate Synergy.

Heath

An Arc Knight that serves the Luminous Church. Heath is in charge of training the Ever Garden members. Heath is also known as the "Cleansing Flame". Introduced in chapter one.

Saki

A member of the Ever Garden, Saki is a ninja who specializes in gathering intelligence. She's efficient and business-like, but more cheerful around her best friend, Cecille. introduced in chapter six.

Nikolai

Nikolai left the Ever Garden to pursue his witch research. Though he is intelligent, he is far more of a Witch otaku than he is a Witch scholar. Nikolai is infatuated with Cecille and constantly writes to her, despite the fact that she shows no interest in his feelings for her. Introduced in chapter seven.

Character	Actor/Actress - Japanese	Actor/Actress - English
Alph (アルフ, Arufu?)	Akira Ishida	Vic Mignogna[12]
Leon (レオン, Reon?)	Keiji Fujiwara	Doug Erholtz
Saki (サキ, Saki?)	Mie Sonozaki	Michelle Ruff
Heath (ヒース, Hīsu?)	Kousuke Toriumi	Yuri Lowenthal
Theo (テオ, Teo?)	Yuko Sanpei	Wendee Lee
Cecille (セシル, Seshiru?)	Fumiko Orikasa	Karen Strassman
Nikolai (ニコラ, Nikora?)	Daisuke Kishio	Dave Wittenberg

[edit] Luminous Order

Clergy and other important figures in the Luminous Church.

Andre

Andre is an important member of the Luminous church, being Cardinal Kingston's right hand man and leader of the Zephyroth knights. Andre has a short temper and is somewhat of a bully, and has a habit of boasting about his huge muscles. About halfway through the plot, Andre reveals that he had stolen the legendary Regulus Heart sword from the previous leader of the Zephyroth Knights: Leon's father, The "Lion King." Andre, however, was unable to use this sword. Despite this secret, Andre is also known as the Master of the Western Wind due to his position.

Cardinal Kingston

Kingston is the Cardinal of the Luminous church and wields the real power of the church's influence. As the Cardinal, Kingston assists Grand Cardinal Johannes in his 'holy' duties. It appears that all of this power has gone to Kingston's head— his plots escalate from creating an artificial "Steel Witch" and destroying the real Witches, to creating a machine that supposedly would make him able to control the power of God.

God Zehaal

Zehaal is the god the Luminous Church worships, and the one who supposedly sealed the witches and dragons away long ago. He is referred to as "God", and is the final boss of the game.

Character	Actor/Actress - Japanese	Actor/Actress - English
Andre (アンドレ, Andore?)	Norio Wakamoto	Richard Epcar
God Zehaal (ゼハル神, Zeharugami?)	Satoshi Taki
Hugo (ユゴー, Yugō?)	Naoki Makishima
Iris (イリス, Irisu?)	Akiko Kimura
Johannes (ヨハネス, Yohanesu?)	Saiga Mitsuki
Kai (カイ, Kai?)	Takashi Ohara
Kingston (キングストン, Kingusuton?)	Satoshi Taki	Dave Wittenberg
Priel (プリエル, Purieru?)	Akane Oomae

[edit] Witches and friends of Witches

According to the scriptures of the Luminous Church, the Witches and the Dragons fought an unending war until God descended from heaven and sealed them away. The Witches have a mysterious and innate power known only as Rune,^[13] and they use this power to cast unholy magic and cause chaos in the world. As they are always in competition with one another, the Witches want nothing more than to develop their abilities, and travel around the world looking for Lapistier, magic stones that feed on God's power and can amplify a Witch's power to terrifying levels. ^[14] As such, it is up to special agents of the Luminous Church to travel around the world and Condemn Witches and transport the Lapistier to the Church in order to have them cleansed of their evil energy.

The Witches themselves have a completely different philosophy. Born from a rainbow-colored stone called the Mother Lapistier, Witches are born whenever the planet is in danger, and are then reabsorbed into the crystal when the threat has been extinguished. ^[15] However, it also appears that the Earth has the ability to call back Witches who do not take their function seriously, as long as the different Runes are kept in balance. ^[16] Indeed, Witches "represent the natural elements of the planet," ^[17] and gather together to pool their powers in the war against what has become the God of the Luminous Church. Witches use the Lapistier not to boost their destructive power, but to fill themselves up with the energy of the earth itself when the time comes to fight.^[18] This group of Witches seems to have developed differently from those of the past, as they have all developed their own philosophies and battle styles. ^[19][20]

Living with the Witches in their village are two creatures that resemble dugong and two apprentice Witches. These members of the group focus on studying and using Vitae, stones that have absorbed small amounts of Rune. The sage Payan-Payan is able to appraise Vitae, while his student Pollon-Pollon is able to create alloys for use in imbuing.

Character	Actor/Actress - Japanese	Actor/Actress - English
Alice (アリス, Arisu?)	Suzuna Kinoshita	N/A
Cecille (セシル, Seshiru?)	Fumiko Orikasa	Karen Strassman
Claire (クレア, Kurea?)	Sayaka Ohara	Michelle Ruff
Lucia (ルーシャ, Rūsha?)	Aya Hirano	Amanda Winn-Lee
Mel (メル, Meru?)	Chiwa Saito	N/A
Mavi (マヴィ, Mavi?)	Yuu Asakawa	N/A
Therese (テレス, Teresu?)	Yoriko Nagata	N/A
Payan Payan (パヤンパヤン, Payanpayan?)	Masato Hijikata	N/A
Pollon Pollon (ポロンポロン, Poronporon?)	Nobuyuki Kobushi	N/A
Vanessa (ヴァネッサ, Vanessa?)	Shizuka Itou	N/A
Vivi (ウィウィ, Wiwi?)	Masayo Kurata	Stephanie Sheh

[edit] Locations

• Ever Garden: The base of the Garden Children, the Ever Garden is located on the western coast of the Eastern Continent. It consists of a dorm where the members of the group eat and sleep, and also serves as the training ground for the elite band of Witch-hunters. The Ever Garden is surrounded by woods, but is not far from the nearby village of Carwee.

• Ridget: Known as "the Emerald of the Eastern Continent," the port town of Ridget is the only gateway to the Saint Sea and to the world beyond. Though it was once a bustling village known for its strong trade industry, Ridget was attacked by Witches, and a majority of the property has been destroyed.

• Dotruvar: A mining city in the frontier of the Western Continent, Dotruvar has a strong trade economy due to the existence of Rune in the local rock. Drotruvar's artisans are in constant competition with those of other villages on the Western Continent, but recently have been enjoying success due to the existence of the Fire God, Hernas, who keeps the forges hot and the metal strong.

• Lethe Forest: An enchanted forest in the Northern reaches of the Western Continent, the Lethe Forest is the subject of rumors and legends among the local people. Though the woods are said to be the home of Witches, it has been said that it has always been an odd place, long before their return. It is impossible for normal humans to enter the Lethe Forest,^[21] but Alph and company must do so in order to reach the Village of Witches deep within the trees.

• Madrasta: Called "the Town of Scriptures" by people around the world, Madrasta is known for its close ties to the Luminous Church. The people of this city, located on the Western Continent, often have prophetic dreams about the circumstances surrounding God's second descent to the land below, and the reliability of the dreams is high due to the striking similarity among those accounts that have been documented. ^[22] Madrasta is also the home base of the Zephyroth Knights, one of the Wings of the Luminous Church.^[23]

[edit] Development

The game was developed by Marvelous Interactive and "rookie development studio" imageepoch.^[4] Collaborating with them was famed composer Yasunori Mitsuda, of Chrono Trigger and Xenosaga Episode I: Der Wille zur Macht fame.

[edit] Reception

Luminous Arc was met with mixed reviews. Honest Gamers gave the game a solid 8/10, saying, "I realised that it was exactly because Luminous Arc refused to take itself seriously that it was so much fun." ^[24]

However, 1UP.com rated the game as "average", giving it a C. The editors called it a "Final Fantasy Tactics Advance clone" because of its similar gameplay and overall feel. While not impressed with the DS's touch screen capabilities used in the game, the editor called the "the game's biggest attraction, in theory, is wireless multiplayer, either locally or online".^[25] GamePro's 6/10 review noted, "It's a decent enough game but it isn't the grand strategy RPG experience that we've all been waiting for." (It was also noted that 1UP.com and GamePro did not test the game out fully.)^[26]

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• Official UK Website
• Official US Website
• Official Japanese Website
• Kaito Shibano's Website